The Snowflake herald., 1920-05-07
THE BROKEN DATE
BY H. L. LnAGDALE.


regular thing for young Bennett to sin
gle her out from the other stenogra-
pliers when he had dictation.
Trim, demure and businesslike, she
slipped into the chair beside his desk
and waited, pencil poised.
If Betty sighed, she did so uncon'
sciously. thinking how few opportu-
mites she had to meet men of his type.
Perhaps Dick heard the forlorn little
sigh. At any rate. as Betty rose to
go he detained her.
81 say, Miss Rogers. you know I've
just bought little runabout and I'm
very anxious to try it out with some
one. Couldn't come around next
Saturday evening, meet your mother
and take you out for little spinY
Betty's heart thumped unmanage-
ably, but she was able to say, "Why,
I'd love to, Mr.. Bennett!"
"All right, then" said the young
man, "Tll be there about T."
Her neighbor at the next typewriter
eyed Betty curiously. Belle Thomas
was the only girl in the Office Betty
did not like. So when Belle said.
limiting, ("Mr. Benefits been saying
sweet things to your" she returned
coldly, Il don't know what you mean.
"Oh, he's great little fiatterer, you
know" said Belle.
Betty thought to herself that if
there was any truth in Bellies words,
she would know after Saturday night
Saturday afternoon, which was a
half-holiday at the Office, Betty spent
pressing and mending her serge suit.
She had not seen Dick Bennett since
the morning of his invitation In fact,
today he had not been at the Office at
ala business trip to New York was
the reason passed among the girls.
Funny, Belle Thomas had been absent
too, thought Betty. Well, she didn't
mind how often Belle stayed away.
AT o'clock Betty sat on the little
porch waiting.
At 20 minutes past Z, Betty, alertly
watching the corner where the ma
chine would have to~turn, saw bright
new runabout go by-and her quick
glance saw not only Dick Bennett, but
by his side Belle Thomas.
Betty felt cold all over. SO he had
forgotten herl He was taking out
another girl-and that girl Belle
Thomas! Suddenly, she remembered
the absence of them both that day.
$50" thought Betty, 'he went down
to New York on business ana took
Belle along for company, and they
are just getting homer
Going into the house, she thought
first she would sit down and cry out
her disappointment, not only disap-
pointment at the loss of the pleasant
evening, but disappointment at the
loss of faith in Dick Bennett, that in
the company of one girl he could so
readily forget his appointment with
another Then she decided her pride
would not permit her to weep over
anyone so thOughtless. Putting on
the hat with the perky wing, she left
a note for her mother. saying that she
had gone to see a girl, and went out.
When she returned her mother
greeted her with the words: Betty,
where were you, child? Mr.. Bennett
came and was much surprised to find
you were not here, and l couldn't ex-
plain"
Never mind, mother" said Betty
wearily. 81 changed my mind. Mr..
Bennett is only a philanderer."
Monday morning saw Betty, pale
and unsmiling at her desk.
But, Miss Rogers" came the we'll
known voice presently. Betty rose,
pausing a moment outside the door to
get herself we'll in hand. What would
he say? OF course, he had right TO
take around anyone he wanted to
If Dick had anything to say, he evi-
IDENTIFY intended to get business over
first, for he began as usual. please
take this dictation, Miss Rogers"
AS Betty, leaning over her notebook,
waited for the first words, she did not
see the twinkle in his eyes. Presently,
he began in a sonorous voice; I'm a
contract, if the party of the first part
breaks his agreement with the party
of the second part-or, in other words,
if one person accepts an invitation
from another and that other, proceed
ing to carry out his part of the agree
ment in good faith, goes there and
does not find the other"
Bettys fingers trembled. What was
this dictation, anyway? Looking up
she saw the laughter in Dicks face
The laughter gave her courage. Rising
very straight and slim in girlish dig
nifty, she spoke: "Mr Bennett, ! wait
ed and waited for you Saturday night
and"
Bennett interrupted eagerly, Yes,
was late and | was sorry but"
'I know what made you late. You
and Miss-another girl-were just get
ting home from"
Dicks frank eyes were puzzled. q
don't know what you are talking
about. | got in from New York about
and was on the way to your house
about Z and then-oh, yes" lighr
broke over his face. Il met Miss
Thomas, apparently in great hurry