Evening star., 1915-11-14

Meanwhile, don't forget you have me-
if that's any help murmured Betty. 1t
pleased her that he bore no malice. but
her heart ached for his boyish bewilder-
ment.
but. Betty" he continued, slowly,
don't you think you'd better break up
our little game? You can't marry a
pauper"
"of course, if you don't want me-"
she flashed.
Betty!
There, don't be silly. We won't
marry until you find yourself, of course.
But I'll never give you up, Peter. ex-
cept for one thing. That will be un-
worthiness. Peter"
There ensued a distressing few weeks
Of job hunting that aged Peter per-
ceptibly. Betty cried about it in her
own room Already Peters features
were settling into firmer lines. Then
at last Peter got his chance-a bank
clerkship in a western town at $50 a
month.
AS the train rolled away with Peter
Betty felt the way felt-behind sweet
heart always feels: But she also felt
like a mother sending her son out to
make his fortune, and that is a hope
full feeling, always.
In themselves Peters letters didn't
say much. But Betty knew he was
sticking. In six months his pay was
raised to S65. She could feel d new
element Of consciousness in his self
respect.
Betty, dear" he wrote, "you will be
surprised when l tell you that l don't
mind 1t here. I'm earning my salary,
think
Again he wrote: But, Betty, girl
you had better give me up. 1t will be
years and years before / ever make
enough to buy you things you've al
only beginning to realize how hard
earned most mems salaries are. And
I'm not a genius. Now, you're not
blind enough to underestimate money,
Betty. It's all right to prate about a
love diet alone. but I'd hate to infiict
it on you, Betty. Be sensible, dear"
Always to such sentiments Betty re-
piled: "of course. Peter. if you don't
want me-
And so the matter hung.
When Peter had been gone almost a
year Betty decided to act. The ex-
pertinent was successful. Herbert
Granger agreed with her about that.
He also expressed approval of her new
scheme.
Betty went to her father. Il want
you to cut off my allowance, daddy"
she began directly, "and put it down
in writing that you are doing so.'
eyes. gray like Betty's-and rumbled:
"What devilment are you up to now.
Be-ty?"
But Betty got her way And the end
of the twelfth month Of Peters exile
saw her en-. route for Selma Snrings,
New 1t was an oddly plain Betty. how
ever shorn of fine raiment: an mex
pensive Betty. in -eadymad" snit.
but a very pretty Betty, with shining,
excited eyes.
She did not wire Peter. After her
arrival she sent him note to come to
the hotel parlor after work. Then she
settled herself in corner to watch
Such a Peter! Where were the tan
going teas and musicalso Where had
the irresponsible boy gone? Then. "oh.
Betty"
He was the same nice Peter. peter.
were the same!
"But, whv on earth,' he demanded
presently: don't you know this is only
an aggravation. seeing you. and know
"Hush Peter. I've come to marry you.
Tomorrow. please. Don't resist. My
methods are cave man."
"You are crazy, Betty! I can't marry
you tomorrow. I won't marry you.
Then IN have to m hunt up Job
lowered her eyes nervously
Your father didn't Then it's on
account of me. OF course. he doesn't
want you to marry me, now that I'm
poor! OF course not! He has some
sense Betty"
Don't ask me why he did 1t, Peter:
can't talk about that. Some time I'll
explain. Here's his own statement"
Peter read the paper slowly and
handed it back. 'T won't ask you a
thing. Betty girl. But" he scowled.
Then he took her in his arms suddenly.
How can I help marrying you now"
he cried. '1f you think we could ex-
list on"
I'VE can try, Peter"
They went to housekeeping in the
three-room wing of pleasant ole
house. 1t WAS silch fun that PAtAr soon