Mountain advocate., 1922-03-24

BY MoLLIe MATHER.
o9p0o9PE

select table, and though the day was
so hot that Betsy's hair twisted In
moist curls on her forehead, the girls
eyes had merry light as though her
task were part Of some humorous
game. The aristocratic appearing old
gentleman ut the head of the table
looked up with sympathetic smile,
as Betsy bent over him.
The cheer of her contenance was In
refreshing contrast to the petulant or
bored expressions OF the other guests.
WELL" asked the old man In the
low tone which only she might hear,
''who' are you today? a happy hostess
serving refreshment at one Of her own
entertainments? or just a little sister
of mercy dispensing goodT Mrs.
Tabor did not allow her maids to con
verse with her guests, but the aristo-
cratic old gentleman was u privileged
person.
81 am" Betsy smilingly whispered,
"acting Il famous dining room scene
where "A society princess goes disguised
as waitress" The old gentleman
laughed enjoyably.
Il knew it," lie exclaimed. Upon
my dresser-did you tidy nay room this
morning. Betsy?-I left a book for
you. Little Songs and lmpersona-
tions-' Thought you'd enjoy it
Betsy" said Mrs. Tabor coldly.
Later she complained to the old
gentleman.
lie came upon Betsy just before
afternoon tea was to be served OH the
lawn of Tabor House. She was read
ing his book and singing over it.
IF you could have studied" asked
the old gentleman, what would you
have liked most to be-?
"A musician" the girl answered
promptly. "a singer" her eyes
glowed
Mr.. Humphrey took a ticket from
his pocket. "The hotel entertainer
who condescends to amuse us this
evening at Tabor House gave me this
he said. IL believe that he Is supposed
to both play and impersonate in song.
l prefer to remain this evening in my
room with my papers. Won't you take
the ticket of invitation and go, BetsyF
"ITd love to-" the girl eagerly cried,
then her brightness vanished. But
Mrs. Tabor would object"
The old man ilecked the geraniums
impaSiently. "You might ut least listen
from an upper hail." he suggested.
So when the downstairs lights were
brilliant, when the noted tenor's voice
came to her there high in her corner,
Betsy, the little waitress, listened
thrilled. And next day the old man
discovered her repeating the program
in the big lower deserted room while
dust mops lay idly upon the floor
Betsy" asked the old gentleman
gravely. ''what will you choose for
your vocation In lifel You cannot &c
on in this way, you know. with just
teacul,S and busters"
As he spoke both turned TO find the
young entertainer standing inside the
doorway. He had evidently beer
there mobSprvcd tur some time.
"Teacups and busters :" he repeated
''Nhile your remarkable talent lies
dOrmant|
you think" the older man asked
quickly, that Miss Blair would b'
able to make good mt muslc?"
81 think" the musician enthuslas
tically declared "that she Is find.
Betsy fled from the room, all JOY
ously embarrassed, but the two re
mained discussing her promise. Whei
she came to speak to her old frlen'
sume days later, the girls eyes wer
wide with visions and she spoke a
one unable to believe the wonder
her own words.
This Mr.. Morris Bernard" she eS
planned, "ls going to make II possiDi
Cor me to study for a career. Their
Is fund. he tells me, placed In hi
own music masters care, for instruct
Ing pupils Of promise. That none
may be expended on my education
Through Mr.. Bernard have been tn
fortunate pupil selected. When IN
concert engagements become realit
then may restore that fund for tn
benefit of another. Is II not wonde
ful,, this my golden opportunity
So little Betsy went far to the grea
city, across the great ocean. An
the old man. growing ever older bt
never less kindly. stayed on at tn
Tabor House.
From across the waters came wor
, of the girls assured success, htt
clippings from papers which 81
proudly sent him. But her letters
answer to his interested inquire
I, seemed eyer to carry a vein Of sa'
. ness.
"Our musician" she wrote at las
"you remember Morris Bernard? We
! he has loved me always. 1t seem
u since that FIRST day. While In
lreart must have flown to meet h
that night. as his voice came to n
there on the stair. But he has d
ceived me, and cannot marry hii
n MI. ,,,onav don0tad for my educati(