The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-06-17
inns INVESTMENT
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

cheerily, is that you. BettyT'
Yes, answered Betty, appearing In
the kitchen doorway and drawing OFF
her gloves.
whats the matter. honey7 Tired?'
"a little"
I'm making you some ginger
cookies, the kind you like"
Betty put her arms around her aunt
and gave her a tender little hug. 1T
isn't my body Or brain that's tired,
it's Just my disposition. Tn tired of
everything, aunty."
Surely not Jim Why, you're to
be married IN a month. Maggie Hsr-
per is coming tomorrow TO do the white
sewing. / thought Id hurry up and
finish here and we could 90 down to-
McAlllsterS and pick the embroidery
for the petticoats.'
II don't think I want Maggie to
start the white sewing tomorrow, and
] can't bear the thought of Miss Gauge
fussing over a silk dress and serge
suit for me. and / despise the regular
round of parties for brides where you
see the same people and the same
silver everywhere you 60 don't
seem to want anything-here."
Miss Martha who had been looking
forward to these very festivities with
childlike anticipation, stood OPEN
mouthed..
It's just this way, auntie," bright
ening. Il have a plan. II isn't that
I'm tired of jim: I'm sure I'm not.
but life in this humdrum old town
Is wearing me IS shiny as an old
coat. / need frcsheling up q bit. and
If don't get II now / won't after I'm
married. for I'll have the house to
take care of, We're going to New
York -
New York" easped Miss Martha,
Yes, I've got a thousand dollars
In the trust company That will buy
us n few buds and take us to a good
hotel for Il week"
"A thousand dollars for one week !"
Miss Martha sat down weakly,
That night when Jim came he heard
the news, He took 1t quietly, so quiet
~ that Betty was a little disappointed.
Il think IL will do you good. Betty.
and Aunt Martha too. If you Ike,
I'll send word to my cousin. Eddie
Stevens in Brooklyn to act as handy
man. It's better to have man around
II you want to go to places In the eve
ming. It's hard getting taIs after a
show and things like that"
viii you miss NE. jlm?''
"Of course / shall"
"What will you do In the evening 7"
ri can put down the linoleum in
the bathroom and kitchen If you have
time to pick them out tomorrow morn
ing. And | can put up the shades all
over the house. The other things can
wait until you get back. BY the way.
I'll wire for rooms, If you like. The
New York hotels are very full. they
say"
Really Betty missed thrill she ha 4
expected. She wanted jim TO be
crushed at the idea of her going away.
She sighed. Practical, matter Of fact
man.
New York was a confusing whirl
from the moment they arrived. and the
prices staggering from their twenty
dollar-a-dav rooms at the Gilmore TO
their forty-five cent cup of coffee. But
Betty had decided not to let money
worry her. The first day they bought
few clothes. After that they devoted
themselves TO pleasure. or at least Bet.
~ did
Eddie Stevens was invaluable. He
had lived in New York long enough to
know places. and being journalist
he knew many interesting people Be
fore she knew 1t Betty had a round
half dozen of ardent admirers who
made life interesting.
There were dinners and teas and
luncheons. matinees and skating par
ties and dancing. Betty bought more
clothes and her stock of money dwin.
died.
Every day there had been letter
from Jim, but in the whirl Of excite
ment Betty only half read them. "rll
have Jim all the rest of my life" she
said, land this will last only a few
days, 1t seems ridiculous to be read.
ing about matching the figures of oil.
cloth when the tips l give the floor boy
In one day would pay A man to put il
down." she added pettshly to Aunt
Martha.
Betty was going out to dinner and
the theater. Aunt Martha. who had a
headache, was going to have a ligh,
meal in her room and then go to bed
The phone rang and Betty an,
swered. They're waiting for me
Aunt Martha. | must go down. I've
ordered your toast and tea, so you &c
to bed and get a good rest. I don't
know when I'll he home
But II seemed only a few minutes
later that Betty came suddenly into
the now darkened room.
whats wrong, dear? What's the
matter?"
"If you're able we're going right
away, auntie. There is train in an
hour and q half. Do you think you
could make 1t II help you?'
But tell me, dear! What is it?'