Palisadian., 1923-08-03
The Little
Things
BY BERTHA M. REEVES
n |. = . I. . - |. - = . = {. = Ss ~
&c, 1923. by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate

When John Harris died leaving
nothing but few thousand dollars
and his pretty cottage, no one was
more surprised and bewidered than
his pretty daughter, Betty. Brought
up by an adoring but very busy ia
ther, and an equally adoring aunt,
Betty Harris had already spent %
years of her life in idle pleasure.
Every whim had been satisfied, I'M
til her selfishness completely buried
every trait Of a lovely, generous ma
ture which really lay dormant in the
even cared that her father could af-
ford to grant her every wish only by
living up to every cent he earned, al
ways hoping that his ship would
come in and he would be able to lay
aside something for rainy day. But
that time never came.
After the first shock of the loss of
her dear father, it was Bettys aunt
who really spurred the girl into
action.
What will become Of us? OF
course we must starve," she walled
and finally Betty said:
"Auntie, l am going TO work.
ITO work!' almost shrieked her
aunt, "to work Oh, what would
your mother say Oh dear, oh,
dearl"
But Betty was determined, and to
the surprise of neighbors and friends,
she obtained splendid position with
Mr.. Smith, head of the e. ]. Smith
Manufacturing company. Mr.. Smith
was an old family friend
Betty tried hard, and for the first
time, life began to. mean something
more than bridge parties and coun-
try club dances. To be sure, she had
her usual amount of invitations, for
Betty prided herself not little on
her popularity with the opposite sex
One thing was lacking-Jack Burns,
popular and rising physician Of the
town, no longer called to see her, and
In her heart the girl was grieved and
piqued.
The final blow came when, one
night at small select party, Betty
overheard two girl friends talking.
"Well," said one, 1--WE can't count
on Betty for the bridge party
Wednesday afternoon. She's work
ing now"
"Oh, I know it." came back the
petulant reply; "but, really, can you
imagine Betty's working7 It's won
der she didn't marry some Of her
ardent suitors. What about Doctor
BurnsT'
The other girl answered quietly
II like Betty, but / am sorry for
her. She is so selfish, and doesn't
realize this last act of working? Doc
tor Burns loves Betty even now, but
his good sense told him she would
never make good doctors wife,
doctors wife needs qualities above
the average to help him on to sue
cess. Maybe his apparent change
of mind may open Bettys eyes. Let
us hope So"
And Betty left the dance early,
her face flushed, her eyes so bright
with unshed tears that her aunt, in
a furry Of nervous apprehension, dis
missed the puzzled escort and put her
niece to bed.
Once in her room alone, the girl
waged battle with herself, and self
lost out. Only the loving eyes of her
departed parents gazed from their
places upon the wall, understood, and
almost seemed to smile encourage
ment.
In the morning a new Betty arose
pale and quiet. She had no f1ippant
reply for her aunt's anxious remarks
only kind assurances that she was
better.
At work, Mr.. Smith decided there
was more to the girl than he had
thought, and in the following weeks
the girls in the Office thought they
were mistaken in their earlier impress
sions Of the new secretary, and the
young men thought that Miss Harris
really wasn't the flirt she was reported
to be.
Walking thoughtfully home one eve
ming, Betty was interrupted by small
voice.
"Good evening, Miss Harris.
Betty, amazed, beheld sturdy Bobbie
Lane, once her next-dOor neighbor; his
great dog, Pal, and funny For Sale
sign perched upon fence beside
the road.
"Why, good evening, Robert" and,
going closer, "what is for sale, you,