The Lamar register., 1920-05-12
THE BROKEN DATE
BY II. L. lANGDAlE.

regular thing Tor young Bennett TO SIN
gle her out from the other stenogra'
pliers when he had dlctation.
Trim, demure and businessllke. 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, us 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 spinf"
Betty's heart thumped unmanage-
ably, but she was able to say, why,
I'd love to, Mr.. Bennettw
"All right, then" said the young
man. "I'n be there about T."
Her nelghbor 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. MIR. Benefits been saying
sweet things to your she returned
coldly, 81 don't know what you mean"
"Oh, he's great little fiatterer. you
know" said Belle.
Betty thought TO herself that II
there was any truth in Bellies words,
she would know after Saturday night.
Saturday afternoon, which was
half-hollday 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 7. Betty. alertly
watching the corner where the ma
chine would have to turn. saw n 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
Thomasi Suddenly, she remembered
the absence of them both that day.
$50" thought Betty. 'he went down
to New York on business and 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 dlsap-
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 50
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
u 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. chlidf 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 IA phllanderer."
Monday morning saw Betty, pale
and unsmiling at her desk.
But, Miss Rogers" came the we'll
known voice presently. Betty rose
pausing IA moment outside the door to
get herself well In hand. What would
he sayf OF course, he had right TO
take around anyone he wanted to
II Dick had anything to say, he evi-
IDENTIFY intended to get business over
first. for he began as usual. "Pleass
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; "In Q
contract. If the party of the first part
breaks his agreement with the party
of the second part-or. In other words
II 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"
Betty's fingers trembled. What was
this dictation. anyway? Looking up.
she saw the laughter In Dicks face.
The laughter give her courage. Rising,
very straight and slim In girlish dig
nifty. she spoke: Mr.. Bennett, walt
ed and waited for you Saturday night. |
and"