The Lamar register., 1915-10-27
BETTYS GREAT FIND
BY FLOYD CLAY.


1t was the biggest garnet for fifty
miles around. He who had planned
and built the house had not paid spe-
cial attention to the rooms and halls
below. but he had provided a garnet
that all who came after him should be
proud OF. 1t was long and wide and
contained treasures beyond enumera-
ton in the shape of spinning wheels
and bedsteads and bureaus and chairs
and what not of the long ago.
An antiquarian who came one day
and was allowed to look but not to
touch. said to the eldest sister:
There is nothing like II under the
sun. II you will let me dig here for
a week l will give you a hundred dol
lars"
mot for a thousand" was the re-
ply.
But why?"
Because you would make a dust
and litter"
When Betty Lawrence, a cousin, at
the age OF ten had visited the Misses
Shaw and become homesick and shed
tears, the sisters comforted her by
promising:
Now. Betty. chirk up and be a good
girl, and you shall see our garrett"
Now, at nineteen. she was a visitor
at the old house again. She had a
lively remembrance of that quaint
room, and was determined to over
haul It II given half a chance. She
dwelt upon the idea so constantly
that she came to believe that some
where in that collection OF musty
relies of the past there lay concealed
a document which would bring a
treasure to its finder. She even pic
tured herself standing before her
startled old cousins, document in
hand, this announcement on her lips:
MY dear cousins, have found a
great treasure"
One day, while waiting her oppor-
tunity to explore the garnet. a young
man known to the sisters called on
an errand for his mother and was in
troduced TO Miss Betty as MIR. Ford
Kirkwood. The following day while
she was out for a walk, he turned
up as II by accident This happened
again on the third day, and en- the
fourth he forgot to offer an excuse
for It's rather marked recurrence.
Within a week It had happened so
frequently that neither saw anything
unconventional in the matter.
This rapidly developing acquaint-
ance did net escape the vigilant eyes
Of the cousins. One day the elder
sister observed frankly:
81 suppose l ought to warn you
against love at first sight
But as you never loved at first
sight or second sight or any other
slight, how can you. Cousin Phoebe?"
AT this the gentle old woman
smiled feebly.
Ford Kirkwood is a fine young
man. but he has no money" she went
on dutifully
Nor have l. shall not fall in love.
dear cousin. shall not elope l shall
never marry-at least not until"
Until when. Betty?"
Until l find a treasure" declared
the girl as II she meant 1t. In her
soul she believed there was a treas
ure in that garnet. She felt like de-
manding the privilege OF exploration.
but still she bided her time
Her opportunity came suddenly.
There came day when the sisters
were called away on a matter of bust
ness which demanded their personal
attention.
II am so afraid you will be lonely"
said the elder sister sympathetically
I'VE shall be away at least three
hours"
"Oh. no; / can take a long walk
and then read awhile after coming
back" said Betty, trying hard to keep
her voice steady
Scarcely was the vehicle bearing
the sisters out OF sight when Betty
few to the garrett Once within the