Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1917-09-26
jIM's INVESTMENT
BY LOUISE OLIVER.

The front door closed and Miss Mar.
tina, catching the sound, called out
cheerily, as that you, Betty?'
EYES," answered Betty, appearing in
the kitchen doorway and drawing of
her gloves.
"What's the matter, honey? Tired?'
"A little"
"Im making you some ginger
cookies, the kind you like"
Betty put her arms around her aunt
and gave her tender little hug. ut
isn't my body or brain that's tired
it's just my disposition. I'm tired of
everything, aunty."
"Surely not jim! Why, you're to
be married in month! Maggie Har.
per is coming tomorrow to do the white
sewing. thought I'd hurry UP and
finish here and we could 60 down to
McAllister's and pick the embroidery
for the petticoats."
II don't think I want Maggie to
start the white sewing tomorrow, and
I 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 go. I don't
seem to want anything-here."
Miss Martha, who had been looking
forward to these very festivities with
childlike anticipation, stood open
mouthed.
Its just this way, auntie!" bright
ening. 81 have a plan. 1t isn't that
I'm tired of jim; I'm sure I'm not,
but life in this humdrum old town
is wearing me as shiny as an old
coat. I need freshening up a bit, and
if l don't get it now 1 won't after Pm
married, for I'll have the house to
take care of. We're going to New
York;"
"New York" gasped Miss Martha.
eyes. I've got a thousand dollars
in the trust company. That will buy
us few buds and take us to a good
hotel for week."
"a thousand dollars for one week !"
Miss Martha sat down weakly
That night when Jim came he heard
the news. He took it quietly, so quiet
ly that Betty was little disappointed.
II think it will do you good, Betty,
and Aunt Martha too. If you like,
I'll send word to my cousin, Eddie
Stevens, in Brooklyn to act as handy
man. It's better to have man around
if you want to go to places in the eve
ming. It's hard getting taxis after a
show and things like that"
"Will you miss me, Jim?'
"Of course I SHALL"
"What will you do in the EVENING""
II 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,
New York hotels are very full, they
say"
Really Betty missed thrill she had
expected. She wanted Jim to be
crushed at the idea Of her going away.
She sighed. Practical, matter of fact
man.
New York was confusing whirl
from the moment they arrived, and the
prices staggering, from their twenty
dollar-a-day 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
a few clothes. After that they devoted
themselves to pleasure, or at least Bet
ty did.
Eddie Stevens was invaluable. He
had lived in New York long enough to
know places, and being a journalist
he knew many interesting people. Be-
fore she knew it Betty had round
half dozen Of ardent admirers who
made life interesting.
There were dinners and teas and
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. "I'll
have Jim all the rest Of my life" she
said, "and this will last only few
days. 1t seems ridiculous to be read
ing about matching the figures Of oil
cloth when the tips give the floor boy
in one day would pay man to put it
down." she added pettishly to Aunt
Martha.
Betty was going out to dinner and
the theater. Aunt Martha, who had a
headache, was going to have light
meal in her room and then 60 to bed.
The phone rang and Betty an
swered. They're waiting for me,
Aunt Martha. l must go down. I've
ordered your toast and tea, so you go
to bed and get good rest. don't
know when I'll be home"
But it seemed only a few minutes
later that Betty came suddenly into
the now darkened room.
'Whats' wrong, dear? What's the
IF you're able we're going right
away, auntie There is train in an
hour and half. Do you think you
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