The St. Charles herald., 1922-12-16

she married George Farnum-tha
richest young man In Blessingtonl
What about Jack Monroe?
.Well. what about him?" thought
Betty, as she pictured herself proceed
| ing up the aisle of st. Matthews
church on Uncle Abner's arm. IL he
were still alive, to meet George
Humphrey Farnum-George, smiling
and blond, the pink of perfection In
| husbands, rich. handsome, clever and
the 'kindest old thing in the world"
/ There would be town and country
homes. camps and bungalows, travel
| and the allurements of society spelled
j with a capital 49," In fancy, Betty
Lasher married George Farnum and
was proceeding down the church aisle
to the familiar strains of the wedding
march when something interrupted.
A wood thrush high in an old tree
sang his evening hymn.
Tears came into the girls eyes. The
thrush--she liked to believe 1t was the
same bird-had witnessed her be-
trothal to Jack--the tender song al
WAYS made her homesick with long
ing for her lover. Now she listened
with tears running down her cheeks.
She would go to Jack now-tonight-
they would be married at once ana sne
would work so hard for him. Uncle
Abner would leave all his money to
George Farnum and welcome.
i A very fearful looking Betty walked
into the house and ran plump into
Uncle Abner in the front hall.
He looked at her over the top OF MS
spectacles. "Well, my DEAR" he said
coldly. "where you have beenY
j "Sitting in the orchard-it Is so cool
there" said Betty, lifting weary brown
eyes to. his.
: .'George Farnum telephoned to yor
) he asked to have you rinl
him up something about
! barn dance at Colonel Phipps' place
.Botheris muttered the strang'
. Betty, who loved to dance and whit
: could dance the soles from her prett!
slippers any time. "Botheration."
: "You viii call him up7" inquired MI
. Cory.
Betty flashed around on him. ID
you want me to 60 with him1" sh
asked.
..My dear child, please yourself,
said the old man. smiling benignly O
her. ut Is a beautiful night and
II will not CO." interrupted Bett
feyerishly. II m~st confess, Uncl
Abner, that was sitting on the pore
! this afternoon and / overheard fe'
words you said to Mr.. Smith-ths
about your. willard leaving me som
? money provided -pro-vi-d-d-ed ! ma
: ried G-george Farnum!"
q "H-h-hum |"
2 Eyes. / did, and then ] went dow
to the orchard. have made up u
r mind to 60 to Jack at once 9
:. morrow and get married az
we will live IN hut on c-c-canne
beans and Things. Money isn't ever
\ thing. Uncle Abner, and do appr
Il ciate all your love and kindness to
= orphaned girl-but ! love Jack-al
Y money doesn't count"
my deari My dearl" Uncle A
Y ner patted the bright head leanil
against the newell post. "Why why
you have made me the happiest m
in the world was afraid You wou
marry George ..: and wasl
sure which one you really loved q
g I had Smith call, and / dictat
that change in my will on purpose
that you could hear It .. but
doesn't mean anything. You and ia
are my children and I hope you .
coming here to live in my lon'
housel'' Betty was In his arms n
and tears were wetting his irnmacul'
~ shirt front.
The telephone interrupted, and
e Cory released her to answer Its
slstent jingle.
ere sOh, George sorry, but Betty
decided not to go out tonight we
g. expecting Jack Monroe home tom
row-and oh, yes, good-by," and as
:. turned away from the instrument,
&. added ,.eThat should teach George
~. to cut out his best friend-we mus
tbe ten Jack about It, child. or he
erv lose faith in George"
80 rs Jack coming home tomorrc,
~ demanded Betty. radiant with joy.
.cr Here Is his telegram-and
.est tember wedding would be Just
M thing, my dearls rumbled the old
! a q they mounted the stairs together
kad Out IN the orchard in the al
,srt glow, the thrush sang Of love trl
tied phant
hes. ...,-...
per- oSsoey.