Palisadian., 1923-08-03

nice, rich man will give a whole dollar
for him?" The child came closer and
gazed in eager appeal into the girls
face
For the first time in her ,self-cen-
tered life tears of real pity came to
Betty's eyes. She had known Roberts
mother once, but the girl had mar
ried poor young man, not in Betty's
set, and Betty had promptly dropped
her, calling to see her only once after
the death Of her husband.
Not knowing what she did, the girl
tore down the sign.
"Bobbie, dear, Pal is worth much
more than one dollar. You must not
sell him. Mother needs such a brave
little boy and his faithful dog to care
| for her. We will find another way.
Will you take me to see your mother?"
And as they walked along, hand in
| hand the child talking eagerly, Betty
was thinking. She remembered that
Mrs. Lane once worked in an office,
and suddenly an idea came to her.
| She put it from her, but it returned
again and again.
! AS the trio trudged along, a big
gray machine slid near them and
stopped.
won't you folks ride the rest OF
the way to town. asked the owner.
Betty raised her eyes, met the steady
gaze of DR.. Jack Burns dark eyes,
smiled coldly, and said:
mo, thank you; it is such beauti.
full evening we think we will walk"
The young man hesitated, then
lifted his hat and drove on wonder.
ingly.
Once at Roberts home, Betty Harris
piled the sick woman with eager ques.
tions, and left with promise Of re-
turning surely before seven.
From there she fastened to a drug
store to phone whom she knew must
be thoroughly alarmed aunt.
Aunt" she fairly gushed, don't
keep dinner. I am working late to-
night. Now, now, I'm all right. I'll
be home soon" And without waiting
to hear her aunt's protest she hung up
the receiver.
Betty wanted to work fast; she was
doing something which might make
someone happy at last, but it was a
sacrifice she didn't wish to think
about.
Within ten minutes she was in the
presence Of her employer, pouring out
the sad story of Bobbie Lane, his
mother and Pal.
"Now, Mr.. Smith," she added, II am
resigning-yes, sir, 1t is true. I want
you to try Mrs. Lane in my place. She
knows much more than I about ste
biography. Will you please give her the
chance?"
Mr.. Smith removed his glasses. wiped
them, and replaced them before he re.
piled.
"But, Betty, you said you needed
the work. Are you quite sure you
wish to make this changer"
"Oh, Mr.. Smith," eagerly cried the
girl. II know, but please do not Ques-
tion me-only give her trial. know
1 am leaving you abruptly, but it isn't
because / do not like my work or ap-
preciate your goodness to me; but
but I have other plans, and, oh, Mr..
Smith, will you please try herr"
The manufacturer regarded the girl
with a 1een glance until her eyes
dropped and a flush mounted her
! cheeks.
Miss Betty Harris, your resigna
tion is accepted, and Mrs. Lane II
elected to fill the vacancy" Mr.
Smith arose. AS the girl stood UP, he
put his hand on her shoulder. "There
may be chance to help you whenever
you want me to do so. 1 had no idea
John Harris had such a kind and un'
selfish girl"
Betty dropped her head for mo-
ment as though ashamed, but recov'
cred her self-possessiOn.
1T is not much, sir. 1t Is such a
little thing to do in a lifetime" she
said.
"a little thing! All, but 1t is the
little things that count in life" replied
the man.
Some hours later Betty walked slow
ly home through the sweet-smelling
June dusk. Her heart was singing,
her eyes moist at the thoughts of the
happiness she had left behind her. She
knew that three new friends were hers
at the end of this perfect day-Robbie.
his mother and Pal.
AS she turned in at her own gate,
the lights from the living room shons
out to greet her.
But who was that? Yes. surely,
some one was peering through the win
dow, but it was not her aunt. The
moon suddenly emerged as on gifted
wings from behind shadowy cloud.
It's soft beams fell upon an object
drawn up close to the veranda. Yes,
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