Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-01-02

wen; through The routine CT tn. morn.
Ing until Ferdinand departed for hi,
ten o'clock lecture. Then she was bus,,,,
writing on her typewriter. She mad.
frequent corrections and then tnpd,, e,
fair copy of what she had, writtc,,
This she placed on Fcrtiinand'S deS;,
and departed for lunch at twelve. H..
would he back from his second morr.
Ing lecture shortly after that time.
When Ferdinand returned from his
morning class he found Il neatly TINE.
written note from Betty. /, was ~
tircly amicahle. But after he had read
1t Ferdinand realized that Betty hnd
told him that she would terminate her
engagement with him at once unlrs,
he would give her assurance that ST..
would hc married within II rcasvnal:..
length of time. She approved "f mar
riage for women, and she did not a,,-
prove of long engagements. y lo;..
delay would ruin their chances Of even.
finding happiness together later.
OF course, it was perfectly unrro-
sonablc. In the first place. tina; WIS
not the right Way to go about it. Fer
dinand WAS out of Ill patience with
Ectty. i; she wanted To be married
before he finished the book she should
hive approached the matter in a NOR.
feminine manner. Ferdinand himself
was eager enouglI-Betty ought to
have known that. He had intended ~
surprise her and finish the book next
month and then ask her TO marry him
ut Eastcrtilnc. But this idea of cocr,,-
ing him was all wrong. He would
simply discipline her. IF you do hot
give me some definite answer by five
o'clock" Betty had said In the note.
'y"u may consider the engagement at
IN end One thing was certain in
Ferdinnnd's mind. He would certain
~ not give her an answer to the note
ty five. He might shortly after but
lie refused 10 he c0erccd.
Betty returned from lunch She WIS
apparently the same Betty that she
had always been. Ferdinand made no
refcrcnr" to The pOic. nor did Betty.
He tried to absorb himself in the
strikes NJ ancient Egypt, hut they had
not tn. rrn"test appeal. Almost
Sity chimes announced five O'Clock.
Apparently Betty, as she sat tipping
off some OF his corrected manuscript.
felt no perturbation.
Five o'clock sounded. Betty arose.
closed her typewriter. Then she put
Oh her hat and coat and collected i
few little personal belongings. An
umbrella she had lcff for ,ntnrc..r,
cics, mirror--a vase an her IcSk
These latter she wrapped in neat
bundle. then
"Gnod-hy. Ferdinand" she said. Snd
If there was Il CULVER in her voice.
Ferdinand did not notice II. ''Perha,s
1t is rot customary To shake hands
perhaps I should simply walk uut."
Ferdinand's arms were around her
umbrella, bundle and all. Betty. Bet
ty-how can you torture me! What
are YOU thinking OF? What are YOU
doing""
"rm strikins-walking out an
nounced Betty That's 1i.,> only way
any one ever gets anything in this
world. "If you know you an. in the
right, why accept less than YOU want2
Why not fight for it-Strike for it?'"
Betty quoted for a moment. Initiating
Ferdinand'S vibrant veice
Betty, never knew any one could
love any one as | love you now. II
makes It, 40 MISUNDERSTANDING that
YOU really want tote hs. Hiarricd: 1t
makes II impossible 10 he patient"