The Rock Island Argus and daily union. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1920-1923, 1922-10-06
CROESUS LOSES.
By Margaret Moran.
Copyright, 1922. by Wheeler Syn
dicate, Inc.)

Copyright, 1922. by Wheeler Syn
dicate, Inc.)
Betty Baxton had been selected
by nature to rule in a sphere of
wealth and luxury. Bred among
simple country folk, her fitness for
sucn rule had never been put to
the test Her youthful years had
known the want OF the finer pleas
ures of lfe-while others had play
ed, she had toiled at the farm she
called home. Even at college, to
which her father, gathering togeth-
Ell his slender savings, had sent
her, she had 1orsaken the pleasant
paths of proms, excursions and the
rest. Neither she nor her people
could afford these pleasures. Then
came graduation and work-hard
work.
Four years passed. She was "a
now, beautiful in her newborn
Womanhood. Success had crowned
her efforts. Yet she had never
given in to her innate desire fol-
luxuries-her money had flown
homeward to the farm.
This same motive OF filial devo-
ton which had prompted such re-
mitt2nces moved her to- spend a
few days each month at home. She
would have greatly preferred tt
pass these days alone with hel
father. But success creates friends
and automobiles ,oyercsme dis
tances. Hence, even here bel
friends sought her out. Shortly il
became very noticeable that one il
particular visited her at every
home coming. Always on each O.
these occasions would his high
powered machine be seen before
the farmhouse. RumOr had it tina
he was the son of a muIti-million
aire, and that he had a ''turribu
crush on the Baxton girl" Fol
once, rumor was right.
Only yesterday, this millionaire''
son, by name Sidney Bacon, in pas
sionate language had asked Bett!
to become the co-heir to his faith
er's vast fortune-Betty knew wha
this meant-the end Of all hel
struggles-the beginning of tina
rule for which nature had destin
ed her. She had been stirred b,
his proposal, but, strange to say, i
had not been the stirring Of hel
heart. So she had replied to him
II cannot answer"
Today she took herself to tn
village. 1t was a good distanc,
away, but she loved the walk and
above all else, the country air ant
sunshine. 1t was all SO beautiful
Returning hDme she almost raj
into an old friend, John McAuley.
John McAuley had been the com
panion of her early years. Afte
high school had come the partin,
of the ways, but during Johns va
cation from the agricultural col
lege they had been much together
Came graduation and the ripenin,
Of love, and it had been agree,
that in five years they should b
married.
But as time progressed John for
got the agreement OF four year
back and upon Betty's willing ear
came the offer Of immediate mar
riage.
Il haven't much to offer you
Betty. dear, now. 1t will >meal
hard work for a few years. But i
the end success will come"
Betty was strangely silent. Fo
in her mind flashed the picture Q
herself as the wife Of Sidney Ba
con -vsalth - power. She love
than. Work toll hardship-sh
had had her I'LL Of these.
John read her face.
You have changed, Bettyr
I Betty bowed her head.
Goodbye, Betty" he said, 81,
agely crumpling his hat In hi
hand.
Bacon c4ms again that night an
AkhakARaiEi1ab 11al3iak Neg