The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1914-01-02

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Again the West Cried I'VE to eetty's
Heart, and Her Heart Answered..
swain. Supple ran down the stoop
and took Betty's reticule, the same
reticule (the same trunks. one Of them.
too, was on the box), and Betty's long
shawl. and gave her arm to her mis-
tress quite as If her absence had been
merely Il matter Of a few days.
"You see. madam. the masters or
ders were to keep your rooms always
in readiness and always lighted up ev-
cry evening until morning: so all Is
quite as you would like. we hope"
so said Bridget, while the butler stood
tall and pompous dealing with the cab
man as to the trunk.
When the coach had rolled away
over the snow Mrs. Van Zandt. who
had paused in the hall, turned to Bird
get and asked. "Is Mr.. Van Zandt at
home?"
"No, madam: MI. Van Zandt has
never been in this side of the house
since you were called away. and he
hasn't been in the other side for above
three years now. Mr.. Van Zandt is in a
hospital in the south somewheres. We
don't know anything more than that"
The tears were in Miss Supplies eyes.
Betty inclined her head. Then she
went up the stairs to her rooms. The
Christmas green's were still fresh and
pretty all about. for it had been Peters
orders to dress her rooms with them
every year, no matter where he might
be. and this order the faithful pair had
always carried out with reverent. visit
full care.
Bridget ven down. Shaddle beck
oned to her from his pantry. "Biddy."
he said. noting the tear traces In her
eyes. 1.-THE young mistress has come
hack. and now the banns"-
"Shaddle!!" Miss Supplies tone was
that of one horror struck by the other
ones audacity. upon whom she placed
an eye Of fire. 1.-THE mistress is here.
but where's our young MASTERY"
And Shaddle. Of course. beat a re-
treat. Shaddle seemed to himself to be
always beating r%etreats before the OBJ
ject Of his affections. Years made no
odds for him. Bridget. obdurate as the
unappeased gods. would listen to no
nuptfai overtures and generally con-
cluded these amatory %colloquies by
leaving the butler much of the opinion
that he was an unnatural wretch to
think of marrying under the conditions
existing in his masters family.
Betty had been home for eight days
before she let Amy De Peyster know
Of her arrival. In those eight days
there was no word got by her of Peter
Van Zandt's well or iii fare.
1t was just to wait and wait. Would
he come? Was he dying? Had he
her? Was there some other.
fuirer. sweeter woman whom his heart
now rested in? Why not?
Then. when she sem Amy a note
by Shaddle. Amy came at once.
She had news of Peter: OF course
Betty had it too? No. Well. Ned
Davies had got back from Wash
ington the night before; he had een
if you please. none the worse
for his Libby imprisonment; non the
worse Of his fever and hospital: quite
splendidly well and usual, stopping at
Wizards and asking Ned how soon he
and Amy were going to he tied up.
Betty listened. said not a word and
turned the talk wholly toward the pa
thence of Ned Davies and the charms
of life in a quaint French town like
Limoges.
..And when do You go back. dear, or
don't you go back at all?" Amy had
gently Of her friend.
a.:On Saturday" Betty replied. "And
when Q and Ned are married you
must make the wedding journey over
the sea to me. will yOu?' % III;
Amy promised quizzically. She had
been putting off that wedding Of hers
long that it looked to her now like
agreeable ignis fatnls. or a delight
fut Jest. although. to lie sure. Ned Da5
Ind always to be counted with
and sometimes he did allow himself ,5
restiYeness incompatible with Amy
holding ont many more years.
Mrs.: VAN Zandt sailed away