The Washington herald., 1913-12-25
DAILY SHORT STORY

Dick kissing il and I asked him what
made him kiss his watch, but he said
he was only listening at IL to hear the
wheels go around. When I asked him
whose picture Il was he said It was the
picture OF the girl who had broken his
| heart!"
"Oh!" cried Bettina.
did you break my dear Uncle Dicks
heart?" demanded Polly.
''No-no-no!' protested Bettina family
He said SO. Well, as i was saying
he did kiss 1t. / didn't think II was
silly, though, for maybe he thought the
picture was lonesome inside the watch!
! Once when I was in the kitchen when
Bridget was peeling vegetables, she left
one weeny little carrot in the basket
all alone. And kissed the little carrot
because 1t was so lonesome. I expect
that's why Uncle Dick kissed your pic
ture"
I'm sure he didn't, Polly; little girls
mustn't think such things
Let US go and find Uncle Dick"
But Bettina was looking away across
the lighted space. She did not see the
crowd Of eager shoppers. or the weary
faces OF the salespeople, nor Polly, look
ing like an impatient cherub.
She saw gray rocks bordering a sum.
mer sea and Dick Carleton's face frown.
ing down at her.
Then, good-by, Betty" he had saiG
remorselessly; you need not triumph In
the belief that you are wearing my scaIr
at your belt-it shall lot be said that ]
broke my heart over an arrant coquetter'
At the time Bettina had shuddered at
the horrid thought of scalps, but she hac
managed a laughing farewell to Dick
Now, she could not repress the tears
fve long months-and this little girl had
said that Dick was CARRYING her picture
in his watch.
And he had kissed IL,
Bettina blushed hotly. How dared
he-after saying what he did?''
Come" urged impatient Polly, come
and find my Uncle Dick
I'VE will go down to the telephone
booth and find your number" said Bet
tina
They chose to go to a lower floor by
crowded to suffocation. Just a. they
reached the foot OF the stairway, a tall
man in fur coat plunged up.
Uncle Dick!' screamed Polly.
Polly" he cried, snatching her into
his arms and holding her closely.
Yes" came from Polly in a mufied
voice. IL went to sleep in the-the bun
| galow-I mean the wigwam, and this
/ beautiful lady found mS-we were going
leased her head and turned a radiant
countenance 10 BettL-a's shrinking form,
here's the lady in your watch-the one
you kissed, you know
For the first time Dick looked into the
face of the girl whose way he was block
ing. slow red suffused his cheeks.
"Bettina-you!" he said in a low, in
credulous tone.
IL found her." whispered Bettina
shakily.
You heard what Polly said-about ths
picture-and the watch?r
Bettina nodded.
And the kiss" interpolated Polly
eagerly, don't forget that-cause he was
kissing itr'
Polly, hush!" cried Dick furiously.
"Never mind" quavered Bettina- 'I
don't mind in the least"
Dick laughed shortly.
Don't laugh, Dick-not like that" cried
Bettina with sudden entreaty in her tone.
II don't mind-I rather like it-and I'm
sorry."
sent me away? Shall 1 dare to hope that
you-that you?''
Yes. Dick" whispered Betty.
And the wonder OF 1t was that Dick
could hear that one word in the midst OF
the Christmas din.
For moment the three stood there,
Dick holding Polly, and Bettina who
kissed Polly to hide her own happy tears.
Grandfather says we're an affection
ate family remarked Polly, whereupon
Dick blushed and Bettina blushed because
she was SO soon to become one of Polly's
family.
But I don't even know her name"
cried Polly.
Her name?" repeated Uncle Dick joy
ously. why. you can call her Aunt
Betty" my dear! Isn't it the sweetest
name in the world?'
The way you say it-sounds beautiful"
said Polly solemnly. II think I'll get
doyn and hold Aunt Betty's hand now"
This Ha1 RouDdad fko c.n.