The Beaver herald. [volume] (Beaver, O.T. [Okla.]) 1895-1923, 1912-02-01
1910 49, -V@r-e]
Maidens Three

BY VIRGINIA BLAIR

where the girls lived grand and
gorgeous motor In II were two young
men and gray-bearded gentleman.
One OF the youh.. men jumped out and
asked questions of the landlady Then
he called back to the other occupants
OF the car. They're herel" And pres
emily three excited gentlemen went
clamoring up the steps and shouted
when Sara opened the door. We've
found youi"
Explanations followed: there we're
trips downstairs to the car, and pres
emily the little table was heaped with
American Beauty roses, boxes OF
candy. hampers Of fruit At last the
gray-bearded gentleman said. Now
get on your best bibs and fuckers. and
well all go out to dinner and the
play"
"Oh. dad" Sara demurred. But no
insisted. and finally she gave in.
When they came out Betti was In
white satin, Anne in pale green. and
Sara in sllver-embroldered chiffon
with pearls about her neck fastened
WIN n OldfnOuu Clasp.
And It was thus that Griffith saw
her as he came up the steps in the
dim twilight
"Sara?" he said incredulously.
MY father has come" she said
quickly. "and the boys. They are up
there in our rooms. came to let
you know"
He caught her hands in his. ITO
know what?" he demanded sternly
THAT you are an American heiress?
Do you think could have asked you
to marry me-if had known?"
mo You would not" said Sara.
steadily. And now will you go
away, and come back later? I'll be
| alone then, and will explain"
When he had gone. she went back
and faced her father.
Dad. dear" she said, 81 can't go.
I've engaged myself to the dearest
man on the earth. and I'm going TO
marry him because he didn't know
that | had money, and he loves me
for myself. And he's coming back
here tonight and I've got to tell him
that | am overburdened with worldly
goods. II won't be pleasant and I
want to be alone"
She looked so pale that her father
stared at her anxiously. but Betti
whispered. Let her stay" and some
what reluctantly he left her.
When Griffith came he held in his
hand little bunch of violets.
Perhaps I should have thrown
these away" he said, bitterly, as he
saw the American Beauties
But Sara came up to him and took
the flowers out of his hand GIVE
them to me-" she said Don't you
know that | value them more than all
the roses in the world?-that ] value
your love for me more than all the
money in the universe? You think
that deceived yon-well. the truth
Is this: We three girls came here and
economical because Betti's guardians
wouldn't give her the money to study.
made up our minds we would pay for
Betti's music lessons. and We have
had lovely time doing the things
we wouldn't have dared to do In
America We've cooked our own
meals. and We wouldn't write home
for money because our pride was up
and then you came into my life and
I didn't want you to know. Somehow
felt that your pride would stand
between us--as 1t is doing now"
How could It be otherwise?" he
said. slowly. II love you. Sara. but
you have been used to luxury. Life
with me would mean hardships."
Am such a poor thing" she flung
back at him. that you cannot believe
me capable of wishing to share your
life? oh. Griffith. Griffith. don't
send me back to petty things"
Could any man resist such an ap
peal7 And so his arms went abou,
her, as she stood there in all her pale
beauty.
Dear" he murmured. "is It ther
till death parts?"