The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1916-11-30
HIS DOLLARS and CENTS
BY FLORA A. MONTY.

|
fretted thin, high-pitched male voice.
Beth shrunk into an alcove of the
garden wall and deliberately listened.
ooh, come, Benson! She's not a
trump. AS to her being a teacher.
she doesn't spread it on, and she's
absolutely human, and alive to good
time" Beth smiled thankfully. Ned
| Gretson's tones as well as his words
dulled the rasp Of the other.
$50 much the worse. She'll be alive
to my money, and / won't be safe
| from her minute. That's the trouble
Of fellow who Is born to wealth."
"Well, understand that there'll be
one woman of your class here-Miss
Mary Lange, who is struggling through
life trying to spend the Millions her
father left her."
Beth left her hiding place, unob-
served, and Indignantly made her way
to her room.
She chose her lovellest gown for her
appearance at dinner that evening. A
soft wistarla-colored taffeta eDveloped
her with regal grace and her golden
hair made shining aureole 70 crown it
all.
Now, the few ideas that were born
In James Benson's mind passed
through such ''moneyed" atmosphere
that he simply could not grasp the
fact that wealth and beauty were not
synonymous. So when Beth and Mary
simultaneously were introduced he lis
tened not for names, but delivered
himself of a reyerenual bow to the
wistariagowned teacher and an icy
nod to Mary. He was so volubly af-
fable throughout dinner, regardless of
Beth's reserve, that she was bewil-
versatiOn he addressed her as my
dear Miss LANCE"
Later in the evening James Benson
directed ut Bette fatuous look and
you the garden by moonlight Beth
met his look with q diSinteresteu stare,
and then turned away, while his right
arm was seized with an inSistent
clutch, and, with gratified shipper,
the real Miss Lange accepted his offer.
In the days that followed, the young
millionaire admitted to himself with
what he considered as liberal con-
1escenson the fact that Beth was not
a trump and that she was really en-
tertaining. And, finally, he became
aware of the fact that Ned Greton,
who had nothing but his good looks
and small salary-though he came
Of fine old family-was carefully
and did.
On the day of the picnic, she was to
go in the launch with Benson, but
she developed a violent headache as
manned at the house. Shortly after
the young people had assembled on
the island, Ned took the canoe in
which he had made the trip alone and
started back to the house-a proceed
Ing which aroused deep disquietude
In what Benson was pleased to regard
as his heart. Very deliberately, the
latter re-entered the launch, and put
about across the bay, arriving at the
Edmond wharf some time before Ned
reached 1t.
AS he expected, Beth was wandering
about in the garden, gaily singing, her
face showing no vestige of illness.
"Er-Is your headache better?"
"Perfectly well, thank you" She
displayed no pleasure at his presence.
I'm so gladl Really, l am. I'm
quite interested in all that concerns
YOU" Benson was trying his best to
be convincing.
Beth's unbelieving smile irritated
him, and he seized her hands. IT'S
the truth, l assure you. It's a shame
for you to work for a living. You don't
have to, you know. You can marry
me. None of our family ever married
poor girl before, but I'm quite fond
of you. Shall we announce it to the
others when they returnT
Beth's eyes blazed. mo-" she an
swered bluntly.
"You mean that there's someone
elseW
Eyes"
Someone you learned to care for
hereW
mo, someone I met long before"
I'm thankful for that" Once more
his voice had that familiar grating
raSp. 81 was afraid it might be Gret-
on"
He glared at her for moment, and
then strobe furiously down the path,
and soon the launch was shooting
through the water again.
Beth turned to find Ned back of her.
II nstened,' he said. But, tell me,
was that the truth-about Cinderella
having found her fairy prince before
coming hereT
"Yes--it Is true" very softly.
"He-he's in luIz," was the unsteady
response. Hes in luck How much
/ never knew till this minute"
Beth came slowly toward him.
"Ned," she whispered, laying her hand
on his.
Instantly his arms were around her,
his lips taking their toll from her own.
ITS your own fault" he gasped. II
can't help 1t. / love you, even If you
do belong to him." Then, grimly, still
holding her close, "wonder how he'd
like TO find you In my armsW
"Oh, Ned" was the tremulous reply,