Arizona republican., 1922-02-09
Chapter XVII

Betty's quitting school and going to
work seemed to upheave the entire
family. Her mother, Susan. even
Sam and Ruth, felt the change in the
atmosphere. Only Henry Browning
appeared to take no notice. Yet oc-
casionally his eyes would rest on
Betty, question in theiB depths
Betty was hectic. One day full of
gossip about her work, the wonder
fully gowned women, the pretty girls
aupon whom she waited. The next
safllen. hardly speaking. When she
spoke of men it was in terms Of dol
Jars. Her basic conception of a man
was one who could--and would-sup-
ply-her needs. Marriage meant to
her being taken care of. and having
1t done well. Not as her father had
taken care OF her mother, of them,
but as Mr.. Hart. the man who had
discharged her father. took care OF
his family.
Betty intended to take no chances.
She would know before she married
whether she was to get what she
bargained for or not mo poor man
need apply" fitted her ideas as ap-
piled to herself. Il intend to marry
money" she once said. III l nave
to have a man thrown in
QOIl I SGG INV JO0 NCNAN
IL there wasn't man." Susan had
replied saucily.
what you going to give the man,
Betty, in return for all this money
YOU talk so much about?" Sam asked
mind your own business! Any
man gets the big end of the bargain
when he inarries. Look at dad. He's
through. But mother isn't. never VIII
be as long as he needs food and look :
ing after. Just seeing her Is enough
TO make girl know that marrying
for anything but money is 1901
tnick You bet no poverty stricken
John ever gets me-"
"God pity him If he did" Sam an
swered fervently, brotherly fashion.
"Oh. don't know! There are worse
girls in the world than me-.
"Perhaps-there, Betty don't look
so furiousv Sam remembered his
promised to Ruth. II was only kid
ding. You couldn't be bad il you
tried. 1t wouldn't be fair to your
bringing up
To Sans amazement he saw a tear
trickIe down her cheek. 1t made him
feel he had been rather brutal. But
when he said so, Betty snapped:
"Oh. you all make me tired! All
this talk OF being good What is
goodness anyway? Sitting down
meekly and letting the world leave
you behind? / want a good time and
/ want it while / am young. il
can't get it by being what you and
Ruth call good why I'll be bad"
ooh Bettyl You don't know what
.nu are talking about" Sam inter-
rdrted. With his superior mans wis
dom. learned in the school OF the
army, he felt like shaking this little
sister who talked so glibly of 'being
&0ods and being bad"
Sam had given up what little
money came to him, he had denied
himself along with Ruth. and without
a regret. But to let Bett, one OF his
sisters, talk as she had been doing
first annoyed, then angered him. She
was only few years younger than
Ruth. why was she so different?
.sOne would never believe they were
sisters. he. grumbeld.
"Don't Ig' Betty partly replied In
response TO his statement that she
didn't Know what she was talking
about t'Watch me and Asee!"
Sam Kept this conversation to him.
self. But from that time he watched
Betty CLOSELY. noting her changes OF
3 expression, of manner. Her chRme-
lcCh like variety puzzled him, yet she
still looked at him clear r-eyed, hon
estly.
She's safe as long as she has that
look in her eyes, he comforted him
self, then cursed the Germans under
his breath for wounding him so that
he was unable to take mans part
in the home.
...'
Interest day came and passed. Ruth
held the receipt in her hand, and
sighed a long breath of relief.