The Washington herald., 1913-10-22
BETTY'S LAST FLING.
NJ 4. MARIA cHAwFcRp.

II daresay you'll think me a spend.
thrift. Aunt Patrcia," said Betty so.
berry. 'for ! have spent my substance
not wasted II. mind you, on pretty
clothes. For once in my life, an
really prepared for visit and It's at
tendant festivities without being con.
stantiy confronted with the question
| wherewithal shall be clothedy'
y thought you looked particularly
well when you came this morning, q
commented the girls aristocratic old
kinswoman. smiling. II am glad thai
you have pretty clothes, for the season
has been especially gay here and all ms
friends want TO entertain you l have
& scheme that VIII require pretty things
and 30 ! was wondering last night how
could get you to good modiste with.
out hurting your feelings"
1T isn't going to a good modiste that
hurts my feelings. dear Aunt Patricia
but the fact that can't afford good
one" laughed Betty. II anticipated the
time Of my life up here. so extrav.
agantly prepared for what felt was
to be the last ling before / was re.
lcgated to the shelf of has-been and
cid maids. III wager you won't bs
ashamed of me this trip. Such veivets
such laces and such darling little whits
gowns made simply to wear with
mothers wonderful sapphires! She gave
them to me on my last birthday"
you were"
Don't breathe it to a SOUL wa.
twenty-eight."
"You don't look It, and that is com,
fort How have you kept your youth
when you've had to worry so ovel
finances7 You've managed well on q
rIdiculously Inadequate income. YOU
mother ought to be proud Of you"
Dear me. she is too proud! wher
the relatives come around and begir
! to question, pleasantly of course,
Betty made wry face, '.just why
have never married. you should see hei
bristle. ! am too good for any man hv.
ing, according to her opinion"
You've had good many chances
excellent ones. too. have often won
dered why you are single"
The girls face was grave as she sal
there looking pensively in the fire which
was necessary to Miss Patricia's comfort
since the fall days had brought a chill In
the air.
Maybe the happy memory Of a youth
ful romance has woven a fabric oi
dreams too beautiful and too precious
to lose, Betty. II was so with me-
Betty glanced at the proud old face
| flushed with the knowledge that at las
she mad disclosed the secret kept In he
heart for half a century, The girl slippeC
down on q hassock by Miss Patricia anC
lifted a wrinkled hand to her warm cheek
Il am afraid was not intended fo
romance. Aunt Patricia, for the year.
have come and gone without any LASTING
love. and now" Betty sighed. nov
am too old"
''Tut, tut" said Miss Patricia sharpl;
| ''You are never too old for romance
Girls don't love but once as they did
when 1 was young. Times nave changed
"Why have you never married. Aun
Patricia?" asked Betty timidly. ''YoI
were made for love ana happiness"
1T all happened so long ago and ye
1t stays fresh in my mind as IL it wer,
only yesterday. We quarreled. I knew
that was in the right, and although
he ap0togized time and time again. wa
too proud TO forgive him. So spoiles
my whole life because Of a little jeaiuui
| anger"
Betty stroked the hand tnat lay In he
| own. A great cluster Of diamonds In al
old-fashioned setting glittered on her en-
gagement finger.
That was the ring he gave me-" sh,
went on softly. He died a year .IgS
asking me to wear II until i, too
The old voice wavered and broke Tear
trickled down the withered cheeks enc
dropped on the jet acioss ner breast an,
sparkled like jewels in the freight. "H,
was good to his wife," she took Up Ii,