The Belding banner-news. (Belding, Mich.) 1918-1973, 1919-10-01

Elizabeth sat by the window watch
ing the snow fiuttering down. 1t was
pretty picture. a sleeping garden
covered with its blanket Of snow. and
yet Elizabeth did not see II. One cam
not always see beauty when one 70 a
bit unhappy. More often one sees the
cause Of that unhappiness. That was
why Elizabeth, gazing out into the
snow. saw Malcolm. handsome, brown
eyed Malcolm, who had been her baby
hood playmate, her childhood sweet
heart. and was now her sweetheart
chum.
When one is only seventeen sweet.
heart Is q very essential thing; that r.,
a sweetheart OF ones very own. NAL
colin had been just that to Elizabeth
until two weeks ago. So Elizabeth
pondered. The first time, when he
had asked her to go skating and had
not come for her. she had been sur
prised. Then he had explained the
next day that Bob had insisted on his
escorting a girl who was visiting
Bob's sister to a matinee. Two days
later she had forgiven him and had
gone skating with him and Bob and
Leila. And tonight he had forgotten
that he had asked to run around with
some music" and had taken visiting
girl to the movies. Leila's voice over
the telephone had told Elizabeth that,
just before she had kissed her father
and mother good night" and had gone
to her pretty room to gaze from the
window.
ooh, Betty" Leila had said, at was
the most wonderful picture and the
girl was dear. AS for the man, Just
wait till you see himi And guess who
was there? Can't? Malcolm and the
girl who is visiting Mrs. Glidden.
was so sure. Oh. you were just going
to bed? Well, I'll see you some time.
Good night"
1t really was too much, and lump
that could not be swallowed threat
ened to make the tears flow.
Early the next morning her mother
called her to the phone. ITS NAL
colin, Betty, dear" she said, "but re-
member we must get the $40 train"
Hello. Betty" said a well-known
voice. "You aren't mad. are your A
slight pause. 'I-you know. was go
ing to bring over some music last
night, but T."
"You forgot all about it.7 Elizabeth
broke in. Don't worry about that,
Malcolm. was rather busy last eve
ming"
"Oh," said the voice. Then. "who
was hei"
mo one you know. But must 60
now. Mother and are going to town,
since there's no school today"
AS he waited. as usual, at her cor
ner for her on Monday morning, he
saw her approaching with Arthur Fer
guson. Unheard of For year now
he and Betty had walked to school to-
gether. and now she passed him by
for Art.
A week passed; a week of uneasi-
ness and remorse; week during
which he had seen Betty much cav
altered by Arthur. There were 9TH
ers who were taking advantage Of his
absence. At last he managed to STAN
mer an invitation over the phone.
I'm going coasting with Herbert
this evening, Malcolm" she said
sweetly, "but tomorrow"
"Will you go with me tomorrow
he broke in eagerly. "Oh. BettyI I'll
be there ut seven sharp"
AT ten minutes before seven he rang
Betty's bell and was greeted by her
mother
rs Betty ready?" he asked.
Betty has. gone to Helen's party
with Arthur said Betty's mother.
but come in, Malcolm. We haven't
seen you for long time"
mo, thanks. I-Tll go home,
guess" he said. "Good night" He
went dejectedly down the steps, leav-
ing Mrs. Norris smiling wisely after
him.
The next morning he called for Betty
instead Of waiting at the corner. and
thus had five minutes without Art.
I'll call for you at seven tonight to
go skating with me, Betty, and I'm
going to walk home with you, and If
you go of with anyone else-Oh, Bet
ty, you will, won't your You won't
will your"
I'D love to CO." she said casually.
"Of course. I'll wait for you. At seven
sharp. Oh, good morning, Arthur"
1t was with misgivings that he rang
her bell that evening. However, II
was Betty In red sweater and cap who
greeted him; Betty who leased him
and raced him to the pond; Betty who
chose him to put on her skates. refus-
Ing Arthur, who eagerly rushed to her
assistance. A wonderful star-lit eve
ningI
They were walking home togethers
she laughing, he silent. Finally she
stopped and looked up at him. "Yesi
MOI }Yesl mol" she said. Talk,
talkI What's the matter with our
Malcolm ?"-A
Then 1t happened. He put his
trembling arms about her there In the
snowy lane and drew her close. She