Monroe City Democrat. (Monroe City, Mo.) 1888-1919, 1913-01-30
THE REMoDELING OF
MISS BETTE BROWN
BY HARVEY PEAKE


porch swing doing nothing when the
postman brought the letter. These
were Bettie's two greatest occupa-
lions; sitting and doing nothing. She
usually combined the two.
Her pretty face resolved itself into
veritable interrogation mark, when
she saw that the handwriting was
Bob Taylor's.
why, haven't heard from him for
hve years." she exclaimed, mot
since he went to the Philippines after
our quarrel; What can he have to
sayT Tearing open the envelope
she read:
Manila, May 18th.
MY Dear Bette:
IT am writing to say that am going
hack to the United States on purpose
see you. L snail arrive In Brewster
about the first Of July. / hope that you
Will be glad to see me. for can scarce
ly walt until can see you.
1.-THE silly Misunderstanding we had
has been wiped entirely out of my mind,
and my greatest desire is to return and
plead in person for your forgiveness,
and also to ask you something more.
81 can see in my minds eye your slim,
wilowy form in It's sailor dress of blue.
And I trust, dear Bette, that you still
have this identical dress, and will wear
II to welcome me back. I think II was
the prettiest dress ever saw. II you
will don 1t for this occasion 1t will
make our meeting so much easier, for !
shall know at a glance that am for
given If you have it on.
SHOULD there be any change In my
plans 1 shall communicate with you at
once. Do not make an effort to answer
this letter for shall be en- route.
"Robert Taylor"
After Bette had read the letter
twice she fell into q reminiscent
mood.
Dear old Bob" she soliloQuized,
''how good 1t ia to hear from you!
And 30 you have something to say
to me! 1 was ready to forgive and
forget the next day, II you had only
asked, for loved you and still do.
What girl could help It?
"Of course I shall wear the blue
dress. Tll-no, can't either-l
haven't had 1t on since he left!
began to take on flesh that same
year. weighed a hundred and ten
when he saw me last and now
well. know those last scales must
have been wrong, for they made 1t a
hundred and forty-eight!
Goodness gracious, what shall
do? can't begin to get 1t on and
my slim, willewy flgure! That's what
! getsfor sitting around SO much and
taking no exercise. And remember
that he hated fat girls! I will wear
that dress!"
Immediately she constituted herself
a committee Of ways and means.
"Just FIVE weeks In which to take
of thirty-eight pounds!" she said.
The next morning at breakfast Bet
ties father was full Of trouble.
81 thought when 1 built this house.
that was putting MP one Of the
most substantial residences In the
town." he complained; but last
night, whenever q car passed. dis
tinctly felt II tremble. sometimes fol-
~ long as two minutes. And once II
was shaken to SIS very foundations!
I'm going to get the builder to come
over. an soon 90 As can. 70 make an
examination"
Even Bobby was disturbed. He
came running down stairs ono morn
ing few days later. sYeiaiming:
Nom, this house 10 hounte&.
know It is, cause last night heard
the awfullest groans and means after
I went to bed. an the house Jest
shook like 1t wus tremblin' with ter
ror! was afraid to git up an I've
been awake all night"
One evening at tea, Mrs. Brown laid
down her knife and fork and looking
at her daughter, remarked:
Nov Bette, ! want to know what
the matter IL with you. You refuse
preserves and cake. you won't take
sugar in your tea, and you don't cal
enough to keep a bird alive. You're
actually getting thin and peaked!
Why girl, you don't look like your
self; you've fallen away so much
that your clothes are ever so much toe
big for you. Now what is itT'
"oh nothing" answered Bette.
"Yes there is. There's something
wrong with you" replied her mother
you needn't try to conceal It any
longer. Either you are sick or in
love-"
well. II you are determined to
pry into your daughters private at