The Meeker herald., 1923-01-20
cRoEsus LOSES
sy M>aoAasr MORAN
.e y n. Ws..l.r sys1,ssss. ias.

oSlty ouAsVu h2N - S9SssSA -
nature to rule u . sphere Of wealth
and luxury. Bred amsns simple eoun.
try folk, her fitness fer such rule had
never been put to the test. Her
youthful years had known the want Of
the hnsr pleasures 1t ufs-whils eth
ers had played, she had toiled at the
farm she called hema Even 1t COL
lege. to which hsr. father. gathering
together his slender savings. had sent
her she had forsaksn the pleasant
paths Of proms, excursions and the
rest Neither she nor her people could
afford these plsasu.ss. Then came
graduation and work-hard wsrk.
Four years passed. She, was tven.
ty.four now. beautiful In hsr new
horn womanhood. Success had
crowned her effortA Yet she had
never given In to her innate desire
for luxuries-hsr money had nown
homeward to the farm.
This same motive Of hlial devotion
which prompted such rsmittances.
moved her to spend few days each
month at home. She would have
greatly preferred to pass these days
alone with her father. But success
creates friends and automobiles over
come distances. and shortly 1t became
very noticeable that one. In particular.
visited her at every Homecoming. Al
ways on each Of these occasions would
his high. powered machine b seen BE-
fore the farmhouse. Rumor had 1t that
he was the 500 Of multimillionaire.
and that he had "turnbul crush on
the Baxton GAL" For eocs rumor was
right
Only yesterday. this millionaire's
son. BY name Sidney Bacon. In pas
donate language had asked Betty to
become the co-hsir, to his fathers vast
fortune. Betty knew what thls meant
the end Of all her struggies-the
beginning d1 that rule for which na.
ture had destined her. She had been
stirred BY his proposal but. strange
to say, It had not bsen the stirring sf
her heart. So she had replied TO him.
II cannot answer"
Today she took herself - the VII
lage. It was q good distance away
but she loved the country air and sun.
shine. 1t wac all % beautiful. Re-
turning home she al0sst ran Into as
old friend, John NcAuIsy.
John McAuley had bssn the cem-
panlon of her early years. After high
school had come the parting Of the
ways. hut during Johns vacation
from the agricultural college they had
been much together. Game sradua-
tion and the ripenins Of love, and 1t
had been agreed that in Avs years
they should be married.
But as time progressed. John forgot
the agreement Of four ysaFs back and
upon Betty's willing ears came the
offer Of Immediate marriage.
II haven't much to o6er yeu. Betty.
dear. now. It will mean hard work
for 4 few years But in the end sue
cess will come"
Betty was strangely silent. For in
her mind flashed the picture Of her
self as the wife Of Sidney Bacon.
wealth-power. She loved them.
oil-hardship-shs had had
her nll Of these
JOhn reau Jnet ISCS'
"You have changed Bsttyr
Betty bowed her head.
"Good.by, Betty" he said, savass-
ly crumpling his hat In his hand.
Bacon came again that night and
took her for 4 ride. Bacon was q
fine type-she thought to herself. He
was 30 kind-so devoted. He was In
a position to give her everything. AZ
his wife life would bs worth living.
Her meditauons were brought to an
end as she checked the scream that
rose to her lips. For barely hundred
feet away 4 child played In the cen.
ter of the road. They were going too
fast to bring the car to stop. She
clutched at her heart. her nails cut
ting into her palms. Then sob broke
from hes "a the child, with q terrified
scream, fell and the car passed over
him.
You have done Ii" she cried.
But Bacon, whitefaced. said naught
as the car raced madly.
"what." she screamed. you are not
going backr'
No, Ae AhS"eHo0 "hOsy. ANe
killed him. can't stand the conse-
quences. Nobody will know. II wasn't
my fault"
"Coward-coward-o how I hate
you. II you don't stop I shall throw
myself out"
He stopped. and back to the scene
Of the accident they hastsned. The
little body was gone from the road.
Betty hurried to ths. house.
"Where IL her she cried. and NOT
needing the mothers screaming male
dictions upon her, she was At his side.
The little fellow opened bis eyes.
Use all right nussef."
I'm 30 glad" Betty cried. kissing
him and helping to bind up bis little
bruises. .....,- ...g,....-,
For an hour she remained. comfort