Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1920-02-27
Betsy's Story
By LINCOLN RoTHBLUM


Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.l
1t was such small hall bedroom--
way up near the top of the house
so high above the ground 1t seemed
suspended midway between heaven
and earth, somewhat after the fashion
of those hanging gardens which are
said to have required neither under
nor upper support. But though the
room by its elevated location strove
for place in the sun, 1t received
none Of its rays at any time of
the day, for the one window faced,
in unceremonious fashion, against the
bleak and bland stone wall of the
building opposite. Now. If one were
as dexterous as Betsy Bond, a very
good glimpse, albeit limited, could be
obtained not only Of the sun casting
seemingly forgotten beam of light
down the murky courtway, but also OF
the window In the other building one
floor below. 1t is true the bit of light
was only enjoyed on Sundays, when
DCiSJ CAdSbihS anu OhSiouo uutiSS
as salesglrl at the notions counter of
Tilden's Inc. did not call for her ex.
pert services for the somewhat start
ling compensation of seven dollars the
week-startling how little might be
procured on that amount in the way
of daily necessities. And 1t is also
true the window of the room across
the court afforded little distraction,
for up to the writing of this-Betsy's
story--it had remained untenanted.
For Betsys heart, starving for af-
lection and dying because there was
none on whom to lavish the love pent
up within, hungered for romance; she
looked for 1t everywhere, and found
its substitute only on the "Flctlon
page" Of the evening paper. 1t was
very unsatisfactory substitute.
The days of August had made
bliStering advance, and 1t seemed to
Betsy this day that summer was ex-
erting every effort to leave n scar and
scorching memory of its torrid pres
ence. A hot, musty humidity pasted
the ringlets about her perspirlng fore.
head into fantastic forms as she en-
tered the room breathless from the
interminable climb of stairs. Up
went the window, the courtyard send
ing forth its nightly quota of onion
and other doors from the quarters
below. Betsy had no taste for the ar
ticles of food on her table and list
lessly adjusted herself I'm the oblique
and uncomfortable position necessary
to see the window In the building OPP
posite. She leaned forward. Glar-
ingly It stood forth, and not even the
dirty panes concealed the yellow jet
of gasllght which Illuminated the room
and its solitary occupant Betsy
laughed aloud.
"a neighbOr," she unused, and
reached for the pillow from the bed to
make her cramped position comfort
able. Romance !" her thought con
tinued, and a smile exposed two pref
ty rows of even white teeth. II was
In spite Of, and not because Of her
clothes that Betsy was considered at
tractive; for the worn serge skirt
loudly acclaimed its age by a lustrous
sheen and the white lawn waist
longer admitted further mending.
But there was little in the mans oc-
cupatlon to excite undue curiosity or
romantic conjectures; laboriously he
wrote, stopping to press his temples
with his fingertips or pass a hand
IL. Ii. Il
slipped from the sill to the floor and
protruded her head through the win
dow into the court until she could
almost touch the opposite wall, for up
through space came the voice Of the
man family singing:
when your Ship o. Dreams comes in,
dear,
When Its cargo comes to shore,
With gold so fine, It will all be thine,
You alone adore"
and then abruptly stopped. Betsy
climbed back onto the window ledge,
and leaning far forward, peered down
into the room. A gasp Of consterna-
ton escaped her lips as she jumped
to the floor and tore down the steps,
the ascent of which had so taxed her
strength. Out into the street she ran
and up to the door Of the next build
ing.
Mrs. Slattery appeared In answer
to the imperative summons Of the bell
and irrltated because supper was in.
terrupted, eyed with landlady's sus-
plcion the Undated and dlsheveled
Betsy. She did not make a likely
looking roOmer.
II guess all the rooms be filed"
was the curt and unsolicited infor.
nation. Betsy inserted her foot be.
tween door and panel to prevent II
being shut In her face.
II am not looking for a room, but
but" she stammered as the unusual.
ness Of the situation presented itself
"One OF your tenants seems In trou.
ble," Betsy gulped hard, "and / be.
lieve he has tainted. I've can
help"
Mrs. Slattery made unsympathetlc
interruption. ooh, It be that singing
man. Never pays his rent and he dc
seem to live on air. He'll come
round"
In n manner Mrs. Slattery after.
ward dubbed "fresh" Betsy brushed
her aside and deliberately walked up
the steps, intuition directing her to
the proper room. There lay the man
as she had seen him from above,
head fiat on the table, arms hanging
Imply at his side. With unconscious
command she turned to Mrs. Slattery,
who had followed in her wake.
"Help me lift him over to the bed"