Evening star., 1915-04-01

! gra ying hair and a chin like boulder
took her from him and Virginia awoke
ba billing. Mark Strong. 1t was the
managers name.
1t was the grip, of course. The doc
tor laid it to the open window. And
he commanded Betty to stay home
with her sister. But first she must
telephone to the Office that Virginia
was i'll.
Down in Mrs. ketcham's parlor was
a telephone. and hither Betty went.
She called up the Office and blithely
demanded the managers ear
"Jinny's sick she told him. 1T s
the grip-from that open window yes
terday And she can't come. jimmy?
Why Miss Lee don't you know? It's
Betty speaking-her sister. You sound
like you had d cold yourself, Mr..
Strong. Tin awfully sorry. Oh, alr.
Strong. you needn't bother about keep
ing Jinny's place, cause you see were
going back home. back to Virginia, to
Cousin Molly's just as soon as jimmy s
well enough. That's all. Good-by." And
Betty hung UP the receiver, feeling
that she had done a good days work
A week later Virginia was sitting
up with her lovely hair in two braids
down her back. Betty had been an
adorable nurse. and had done as much
as the medicine, the doctor said. She
was lowering over Virginia now like
hunlming bird over flower. You're
almost well." she cooed.
almost, darling. l can soon go back
to work." Virginia said.
"But-but you're not going back to
work" Betty said. Il told that man
you weren't and he doesn't expect
YOU Virginia could not speak. And
Betty cuddled close. please. jimmy, it
was all for your own good. Don't you
see: You'll have to accept Harley now.
And then how happy We'll be
"Oh, Betty" said Virginia. and the
world whirled round her blackly. She
was out of work through Betty's med
ding 1t did look now as if she would
have to marry Harley.
Mrs ketcham came to the door just
then to say that some one had called
to inquire after Miss Lee and was
heard. for she was crying. But Betty,
full of Importance, followed Mrs.
Ketcham downstairs.
Virginia continued to cry, wild with
unhappiness. That Betty should be-
have so. She seemed to hear Cousin
Molly say, You'll never manage that
child. Jimmy. she's too willful. She needs
stern hand" Virginia had resented
the utterance, but now
Betty was patterng upstairs. The
door burst open f..:d she entered. She
dashed in. glowing. and dropped box
upon Virginia $ lap. The cover flew Off
and there Were roSeS-a great mass
like perfumed red velvet
HE brought en- narrated Betty,
with excited rapidity. Hes had a
cold. too. from that same window. And
On, Jii!iS hS ei hHt--st llOuStlIu
times finer than Harley. And he's Just
crazy over YOU. When | saw that told
him eyerything-abo bout dad and Cousin
Molly and Harley and YOU. of course
He just drank it in. He don't say much
but OH, how he feels. My poor little
girl he said, and he ragged up and
down like u Gagged lion. I thought he'd
wear that old threadbare Brussels
right through. ! guess he's had 4 hard
week thinking about YOU. and he won't
take much comfort till he sees
you
She paused for breath and to stare
at Virginia. whose face was wonder
ful to above the roses. Hes
strong, just like his name said Betty
II shan't he able to wheedle him like
I used to Harley. But I'm going to like
him better. He'll be grand for
brother" she ended. with enthusiasm.
tTHE END