Smyrna times., 1916-12-13
HIS DOLLARS and CENTS
BY FLORA A. MONTY.

"Oh, come, Bensonl She's not q
trump. AS to her being a teacher,
she doesn't spread it on, and she's
absolutely human, and alive to a 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 a minute. That's the trouble
of fellow who is born to wealth."
"Well, understand that theren 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 loveliest gown for her
appearance at dinner that evening. A
soft wistaria-colOred taffeta enveloped
her with regal grace and her golden
hair made a shining aureole to 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 reverential bow to the
wistaria-gowned teacher and an icy
nod to Mary. He was so volubly af-
fable throughout dinner, regardless of
Beth's reserve, that she was bewil-
dered, until in the course of the con-
yersation he addressed her as "My
dear Miss Lange."
Later in the evening James Benson
directed at Beth a fatuous look and
hsped, Miss Lange, do let me show
you the garden by moonlight" Beth
met his look with disinterested stare,
and then turned away, while his right
arm was seized with an insiStent
clutch, and, with a gratified simper,
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-
descension 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 a fine old family-was carefully
including Beth in all that he planned
and did.
On the day of the picnic, she was to
go in the launch with Benson, but
she developed a violent headache as
the boat was about to leave and re-
mained 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 a 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
i | AdSO oAOWAn6 hO NCobA6C VA AAAAACoos
"Er-Is your headache betterT
Perfectly well, thank you" She
displayed no pleasure at his presence.
"Pm so gladl Really, 1 am. I'm
quite interested in all that concerns
you" Benson was trying his best to
be convincing.
I Beth's unbelieving smile irritated
him, and he seized her hands. "It's
the truth, assure you. It's a shame
for you to work for living. You d0n't
have to, you know. You can marry
me. None Of our family ever married
a poor girl before, but I'm quite font
of you. Shall we announce it to the
others when they return"
Beth's eyes blazed. mo-" she an
swered bluntly.
"You mean that there's someon'
else?"
'Yes."
Someone you learned to care 70
hereT
''No, someone I met long before"
'Tm thankful for that" Once NOR
his voice had that familiar gratin
rasp. "I was afraid it might be Gret
on"
He glared at her for a moment, an
then strobe furiously down the patl
and soon the launch was shootin
through the water again.
Beth turned to find Ned back Of he
81 listened" he said. "But, tell mt
was that the truth-about Cinderell
having found her fairy prince befor
coming here?"
"Yes-it is true" very softly.
"He-he's in luck" was the unstead
response. "He's in luckI How muC
I never knew till this minute"
Beth came slowly toward hiI
'Ned," she whispered, laying her han
on his.
Trc+antIv hiS arms were around he