Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-04-24
DAILY NOVELETTE,
Bettys Informal Dinner
BY LOIS EMERY

she put the last touches on tn,
cream pie she was preparing for tn,
Sunday dinner. "why don't you ask Mr.
Somcrs to dinner some time? He mus
think it rather funny for you not to
where you go out together so MUCH"
II know, mamma, but | don't be
licvc | want to, yet while.
'Nou know how terrible tho boys act
and they are so refined at his house
The night I was there to dinner every
thing was served in courses. don't
know what he would think of us
everything on the table ut once and the
boys yelling like wild indians"
Betty stopped and kissed her mother
lightly. Its awful sweet of YOU TO
think of it. but let's not bother about it
yet whilc.''
Ten minutes later, as she was going
down the old creek road with Jack Som
crs, her heart began to sing a little
tune of happiness.
They had gone fully mile from home
before they noticed that the breeze had
stiIlcd, that the sun was hidden behind
black clouds. and that the air had
grown very oppressive.
why said Betty. as She looked up
at the sky. 'what's that--tlunder:"
Shc jumped up from where they had
been sitting on the grass. as n drop of
rain spattcred her new hat. "Why,
Jack. it's raining.
Jack jumped up and looked about
with worried eyes.
Gracious, Betty. I'm afraid you II
get wet. Wish I'd taken an umbrella ."
There are no houses around here
and we can't possibly get home without
getting wct,' said Betty, rcsgnedly.
The thunder drew nearer now, the
wind was rising and it was getting very
dark overhead.
I'm awfully sorry. Betty should
Whow. The elements now seemed at
war with one another. Rain fell in tor
rents and the thunder doomed, crashed
and rumblcd. filling the air with one
continuous. deafcning roar.
Half an hour later the two streaming
figures were met on the piazza by the
whole Thurlow family.
Good land. Betty, we were most
worried to DEATH said her mother rs
she hustled forward anxiously. "You
20 right up to your room and change
those wet clothes. Your father will take
care of Mr.. Somers."
As Betty was removing her wet gar
mcnts she sighed nnxiously, mo telling
what father and the boys will do"
Presently jack rich laugh and the
boys shrill yclps began to come from
her fathers room. Betty could not keep
from dimpling as she visioned Jacks
slender figure in her fathers clothes.
Hurry up. Betty" whispered her
mother up the back stairs. .'NIr. Somers
is going to stay to dinner and it's most
time to take it up
"Oh, dear" Betty hurriedly threw
her dress over her head and hurried
down the stairs. 81 wonder what that
table looks like. anyway
"What are You going to have for
dinner, mammal
DEAR answered her mother rather
soberly.
"Oh. MOTHER said Betty, with hor-
ror in her voice.
Il didn't ask him. Betty. I would
have known better. 1t was your father.
He acted as if he was awful pleased be-
cause pa asked him. Now don't worry,
dear. There's that nice cream pie !
made this morning, and I've got a
now. You sit right down here, Mr..
SOmers."
The young man gave her a pleasant
smile and sat down beside Betty. 1t
seemed to her that the boys never acted
worse.
She wondered if this horrible meal
would ever come to an end. Everything
else was already at an end. she thought
miserably. Jack Somers would never
have use for her, with a family that
acted like this.
They were all beginning on pie now.
excepting Jack, and he was having a
second helping of macaroni.
At last dinner was over, and Betty
and Jack went out on the piazza. 1t
was just growing dusk and the air was
full of that delicious sweet cooness
which follows summer rain.
Jack moved nearer to Betty. His
shoulder grazed hers lightly. Betty"
he said at last, you've got the incest
family I ever saw. Everything here at
dinner tonight was SO homelike and
jolly. You know it doesn't seem much
like home at our house. I don't know
when I've enjoyed meal as much as
have tonight"
He put his arm around her and gently
drew her toward him. Betty, can't
put it off any longer. Do you love me
well enough to marry me?"
Betty drew her breath in tremulously,
and then dropped her head on his
shoulders and began to cry.
whats the matter, Betty? Don't
you love me we'll enough"
Betty nodded shyly. Her arms slid
up around his neck.
I'm all right" she answered, "just
$3.50 happy, guess, Jack"