The herald-advance. (Milbank, S.D.) 1890-1922, 1920-06-04
THE BROKEN DATE
BY X. L. LANGDAlE.


&c. 1920. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate,
Miss Rogers" the familiar voice
called from the office, n Betty arose
with alacrity. 1t was getting to be q
regular thing for young Bennett to sim
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.
II 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
60 he detained her.
II say, Miss Rogers, you know I've
just bought a little runabout, and I'm
very anxious to try it out with ONE
one. Couldn't l come around next
Saturday evening, meet your mother
and take you out for a little spin?"
Betty's heart thumped unmanage-
ably, but she was able to say, "Why.
I'd love to, Mr.. Benefit"
"All right, them" said the young
man, "Ill be there about T."
Her neighbor at the e x typewriter
eyed Betty c%uriously. 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 you?" she returned
coldly, Il don't know what you mean"
"Oh, he's a great little fatterer, 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 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.
too. thought Betty. Well. she didn't
mind how often Belle stayed away
At Z 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 a bright
new runabout go by-and her quick
glance saw not only Dick Bennett, but
by his side Belle Thomas.
Betty felt cold all yer So he had
forgotten her! He was taking out
another girl-and that girl Belle
Yhnvnoc Svvddnn1v ch0 ronanpoh0r06
the absence of them both that day.
80" thought Betty, The went down
to New York On business and took
Belle along for company, and they
are just getting home!"
Going into the house, she thought
first she would sit down and cry ont
her disappointment. not only disap-
pointment at the loss Of the pleasant
evening, but disappointment at the
loss Of faith Id Dick Bennett, that in
the company of girl he could SO
readily forget his appointment with
another. Then she decided her pride
would not permit her to weep over
anyone so t~houghtless. 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 I couldn't ex-
plain"
"Never mind, NEITHER" said Betty
YEARLY. II changed my mind. Mr..
Bennett is only a p%hilanderer."
Monday morning aa:. Betty, pale
and unsmiling at her desk.
But, miss Rogers" came the we'll
known voice presently. Betty rose,
pausing q moment outside the door to
get herself well In hand. What would
he say? OF course, he had a right to
take around anyone he wanted to
II Dick had anything to say. he evil
IDENTIFY intended to set 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 4
contract, II the party Of the 1rst part
breaks his agreement with the party
Of the second part-1r, In other words,
II n 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 gave har courage. Rising,
very straight and slim In girlish dig.
nifty, she spoke: "Mr. Bennett. ! wait.
ed and waited for YIN Saturday night,