The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1912-01-05
| MISS BETTY'S |
! BR I'VE r Y |
lcopyright, Iorr. wv Associated LI.erary Prsssl
By VIRGINIA BLAIR


Eyes"
'I ana going to make fudge. Miss
Beulah has gone To town, and there's
nobody but Miss Betty on guard Su-
zanne haa tn chocolate, and am 20
ing To contribute the milk. You
needn't bring anything but your sweet
self"
Midget came trailing out into the
dimness Of the hall, her pink kimono
gathered about her ahivering figure
pm glad" she said wistfully,
Athat we are going 10 do something
exciting This school is the limit
Margaret. I'm 80 blue I could weep
ON your shoulder if you weren't 10 I'M
sympathetic"
I'm unsympathetic because you
haven't any real woes" was Marga
ret's calm response You needn't
pose as an ill-used heroine simply be.
cause you can't spend the week end
with Mary Tempest"
1T isn't just that Midget hest
tated. ''If you only knew, Marga-
ret"
II do know. Arthur Tempest is to
BE- there, and your heart will break
If you don't see him"
Perhaps his heart will break"
said little Midget, with dignity
which made Margaret stare at her.
We've are engaged, Margaret"
Margaret took her friend by the
shoulders and shook her. "And you
haven't told U.S." she cried; ''yot
haven't told Suzanne and me-oh,
Midget.
well, you see" Midget explained,
hastily. ~it didn't happen until today"
but you haven't seen him and you
didn't get any letters. for brought
70 the mail"
"I know But--Arthur proposed by
telephone
"Of ali thingsl" Margaret ciutched
Midget'g arm. 'How perfectly TO
mantle. Midget Middleton"
1T wasn't romantic at ALL" Mid
get declared, mlserably. 1T wanted
it to happen fra garden among the
roses, or out ia boat In the moon
light"
well, wouldn't care where If
was, SO that the man was Arthur
Tempest" said practical Margaret
you're lucky girl. Come OF up and
tell US about it,
Curled up comfortably On the foot
of Guzanne'g couch, Midget told her
story. "T used to know Arthur when
7 was tiny little thing. Our fam
lilies lived next door to each other,
and that's how T came to be SO init
mate with Mary Tempest. Arthur
was educated abroad. and 4 haven't
seen him for years. He came back
a month ago and Mary invited me
N down to help celebrate hi homecom-
ing. And-he fell il love with me,
and he's going back to London this
week, and Miss Beulah has chosen
this time of all others to 60 away, and
Miss Betty doesn't dare give any OF
us permission to leave the school
while Miss Beulah is gone-and So
tt shan't see him"
Couldn't you write to your mother
and get permission?" Suzanne asked.
There isn't time. rye told Mum
sie I'll about Id, and A know she will
say bless you, my children but that
won't help me out-Arthur leaves to-
morrow morning
why don't you meet him some
where and have 1t over"
Midget shook her head. Mother
wouldn't like it. She hates anything
clandestine, and a man can't think
much Of girl who suggests thing
like that"
Margaret, who was stirring the
fudge energetically, suggested, why,
don't you 60 down and explain things
to Miss Betty?"
do you think It would do any
6ood?"
"Try It."
When Midget entered the bic
school room she found Miss Betty
sitting alone, her big yellow Cupid 10
her lap.
Midget, standing f. the door, asked,
10 meek voice, May speak to you
a. minute, Miss Betty"
Certainly" was the gentle re-
Spouse.
'I don't want to do anything" Mid
yet began with great embarrassment,
chat would be against the rules.
But-but were you ever in love, Miss
Betty?"
The pale lite lady opened her
mouth, but not word came.
fir suppose 7 shouldn't ask such a
qu. ton Midget apologized, "but it
did seem that if-if- had ever
cared very much for any one that
you-you'd sympathize with me now,
Miss Betty" And Midget, whose feel
lngs had been much wrought upon by
the excitement Of the day, broke down
and wept.
There, there, dearie," little Miss
Betty quavered, patting the girls
hand; tell me all about it,"
Midget told her, sitting on little
stool at Miss Betty's feet, with Cupid
smuggled between them.
aAnd-it seems a. If must see him
Just once before he goes" she whis-
pered, "and T know mother wouldn't
object"
"Beulah would be very angry" de-
INJURED poor Miss Betty. "She hasn't
much sympathy with sentiment"
"But Miss Beulah isn't here-and--
and II you only could, Miss Betty"
seWhat il in Won want me tn do4n