Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1915-10-27
THE DAILY SHORT STORY
Marrying Betty

"He looks pretty hearty" Betty re-
turned obviously. And he's not a bit
glad to see ms" Here she stopped
Bellamy emerged, smilinEly, from the
church, gripping her handbag snatcher
by the shoulder. He was curly-haired
with wonderful wide. guileless dark eyes
I've got the bag for YOU" said Bel
lamy What was in it? We want to see
there is nothing missing
"Why, er-" Botty hesitated. and be-
gan to turn rather pink as she re-
membered. There's some money, silver
change and bills, and my handkerchief
with initial in the corner and my card
case"
Bellamy had opened the bag and was
verifying each count. Last of all he found
the old medallion in the bottom, and,
as he lifted it out their eyes met in one
long straight look. Then he asked i'm
personally
Same picture nside?"
Betty nodded.
"Tonino." he said TO the boy, "the gods
are good to you today. The senorita is
also good and generous and forgiving
not for your sake, but for mine. She
wants my picture to be finished. She
wants me to be a great success. Tonino
So you will not go to Jail, not this time
Go and tell Monna Media l will not be
home for dinner"
Tonino fled joyously stopping only to
kiss the girl who leaned over the railing
Bellamy was gathering up his brushes.
"Where are you stoppng?" he asked.
I'VE have rooms at the Palazo Ferrati.
| ! came over with the GordOns and Neil
LennoX. Mother went on to Chicago at
! the last minute TO stay with Aunt Dora.
She told me to be sure and find you, Bel
! lamy, on this side" Betty's eyes were
/ very demure, "She always felt so sorry
/ for you, some way"
81" felt sorry tor myself" replied Bel
/ lamy simply. 81 acted like an idiot l
1 packed up and made tracks over here in
/ stead of making you marry me and obey
me properly"
Making met Bellamy Talbot"
] Don't believe l could, do you?" Bel
4 lamy remarked "Now listen to me-
Betty Why do you carry my picture
/ around with you as a talsman and love
/ charm In that precious old medallion ?''
'Nou silly old thing" Betty murmured
quite irrelevantly, holding the medallion
| closely in her hand.
J "All right don't answer If you're en-
| barrassed, dear. Why did YOU decline "a
marry me about 50 times before ] came
abroad2"
For your own good" Betty was very
! concise and certain on this point. She
! sat down on the old stone bench against
/ the wall aud traced It's chiseled orna-
monts with her finger carefully you
needed study. You were a perfect bear
/ Bellamy. You We're no more MT To settle
down into domestic life than a grizzly %
who said we were going TO settle
| DOWN. We're not. We're going 70 be
! married here next week, and take a nice
cool suite Of rooms up at Monna Nedda's
until | flnish some OF these pictures I'm
working on. And she'll serve our meals
| out on that little balcony-you can SEE
u, Betty. II you'll Just lean bit for.
ward And then we'll drop down alonp
| the islands somewhere, over TO AsOlo
and Capri, and get home about October
| VIII YOU, Betty?'
Don't ask me II l will any more
said Betty, firmly. Make me. The oni,
thing you ever lacked was decision ovei
me, Bellamy. and / don't respect YOU on,
BIZ when you appeal TO me"
Bellamy took out a notebook and turned
the pages TO Monday OF the followina
| week
'What Is itlp she asked. lie handel
| Il 10 her choerfuiy
Aiemo; Marry Betty az Il :. m"
lcopfrisht 1879