The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-03-21
{ MISS BETTY'S 5
! B r AVE r Y B
By VIRGINIA BLAIR


ing to contribute the milk You
needn't bring anything but your sweet
self"
Midget came trailing out into the
dimness Of the hall, her pink kimono
gathered about her shivering figure.
I'm glad" she said wistfully.
that we are going to do something
exciting. This school is the limit
Margaret. I'm so blue l could weep
on your shoulder If you weren't SO un-
sympathetic.
I'm unsympathetic because you
haven't any real woes" was Marga-
ret's calm response. You needn't
pose as an ill-used heroine simply be-
cause you can't spend the week end
with Mary Tempest"
1T isn't just that" Midget hest
tated. IF you only knew. Marga-
ret"
Il do know. Arthur Tempest is to
be there. and your heart will break
If you don't see him"
Perhaps his heart will break"
said little Midget. with dignity
which made Margaret stare at her.
We've are engaged. Margaret"
Margaret took her friend by the
shoulders and shook her And you
haven't told u.s." she cried; "yol
haven't told Suzanne and mech,
Midget"
well. you see," Midget explained
hastily, 1T didn't happen until today
But you haven't seen him and you
didn't get any letters. for | brought
up the mail"
Il know. But-Arthur proposed by
telephone"
of all things!" Margaret clutched
!, Midget's arm. How perfectly 70
mantle. Midget Middleton"
ut wasn't romantic at all" Mid
get declared. miserably. Il wanted
1t to happen in a garden among the
roses, or out in boat in the moon
light"
Well wouldn't care where i
was so that the man was Arthur
Tempest" said practical Margaret
You're a lucky girl Come on up anC
| tell us about it,
Curled up comfortably N the foo
] Of Suzanne's couch. Midget told he
story. Il used to know Arthur wher
| l vas tiny little thing Our fam
| lilies lived next door to each other
and that's how | came to be SO init
mate with Mary Tempest. Arthur
was educated abroad. and haven
! seen him for years. He came bacl
month ago and Mary invited m
down to help celebrate his homecom
ing. And-he fell in love with me
and he's going back to London thi
week, and Miss Beulah has chosel
this time of all others to go away. an
Miss Betty doesn't dare give any @
us permission to leave the schoc
while Miss Beulah is gone-and so
IL shan't see him"
Couldn't you write to your mothe
and get permission" Suzanne asked
There isn't time. I've told Mum
sic all about 1t, and | know she wi
say bless you, my children but tina
won't help me out-Arthur leaves tt
morrow morning"
why don't you meet him som,
where and have 1t over?"
Midget shook her head. "Mothe
wouldn't like it. She hates anythin
clandestine. and man can't thin
much of a girl who suggests a thin
like that"
Margaret, who was stirring tn
fudge energetically. suggested. "Wh
don't you go down and explain thing
to Miss Betty?"
DO you think 1t would do an
good!"
TRY It."
When Midget entered the bi
school room she found Miss Bett
sitting alone. her big yellow Cupid
her lap.
Midget, standing in the door. aske,
in a meek voice. May speak to 20
minute. Miss Betty?"
Certainly" was the gentle r
Spouse.
II don't want to do anything" MI,
get began with great embarrassment
that would be against the rule
But-but were you ever In love. Mil
Betty?"
The pale little lady opened hi
mouth, but not word came.
81 suppose I shouldn't ask such
question" Midget apologized. but
did seem that if-if-you had ev,
cared very much for any one tn,
you-you'd sympathize with me no,
Miss Betty" And Midget, whose fee
ings had been much wrought upon I
the excitement of the day. broke dow
, and wept.
There. there. dearie." little MI,
Betty quavered. patting the girl
hand: tell me all about It."
, Midget told her. sitting on a litt
stool at Miss Betty's feet. with Cup
, smuggled between them.
!. "And-it seems as II must see hi
pered. land | know mother wouldI
. | object"
"Beulah would be very angry" d
INJURED poor Miss Betty. She hasr
much sympathy with sentiment"
But Miss Beulah isn't here-and
and II you only could. Miss Betty"
What is 1t you want me to do
, the little lady asked.
Let Arthur come to say good-h
, can telephone. and he will be he
, in his car in fifteen minutes-and Il
, only haIf-past eight. and It will
, perfectly proper"
But If Beulah should come" q
, tered Miss Betty.