The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-08-22
BEN WAS
AWAKENED
AT LAST
By MYRTA DAVIES



Nobody ever called Ben Flanders a,
success socially, and mo- one was fur
Their from calling Ben success social
ly than Betty Huntington, only daugh-
ter Of the Huntingtons of the Avenue,
and sister Of one of the managers Of
the firm where Ben worked. n
Betty was as lovely as June morn
ing, as sweet Of disposition as a pink
and-white rabbit, but, withal, with a
mind of her own. Ben knew all these
things, but what was fellow to do?
He knew he was nuts" in the social
world, and he knew that Betty knew,
and he knew that Betty knew that
he knew. Otherwise, why wouldn't
she sometime invite him to at least
q small party and give him chance
to see her, If nothing more than see
her surrounded by the bunch Of ador-
ing males who knew how to act, and
did It?
Betty was no snob. It wasn't be-
cause Ben was just rising mechan-
ical engineer with an invalid mother
to support and not even bowling ac-
quaintance with the Avenue, that Bet
tys didn't let him see her oftener.
Since he had met her at the annual
festival In Music hall, he had called
twice, and had had the joy of seeing
Betty alone. Suitors and relatives
had been miraculously dispensed with.
Moreover, with Betty's power Of In
tuition, she probably realized how
beastly uncomfortable poor, unsociety-
fed Ben would have been among
them.
Anyhow, there had been something
about that second call that had made
Ben postpone his third, not indefinite
~ but, at any rate, till he got more
light on the best means Of pursuing
bis suit with the only girl in the
world who was just close enough to
perfection and who possessed warm.
ylowing loneliness besides.
Ben was no Stacker But until he
was sure. Caution was Ben's slo-
gan, and the fact that the fellows
laughed at him for being SO quiet and
dow did not diminish the caution
Nor did it lessen the discouragement
ito mediate on the gay aliveness of
every one Of Elizabeth's favored
.frlends. all Of them lending rose and
orange lights never toning down the
Sgarishness.
II couldn't live up to that music
n not in thousand years." groaned
Ben, and dug into the mechanical en-
cheering with greater vim than ever.
Ben hustled.
1t counted. Ben was promoted again,
was given charge Of half dozen old
er but less skilled workmen. and all
the while Ben did not fail to remind
himself that he was doing it all for
Betty.
1t was exactly week before Thanks
4 giving that 1t seemed to Ben, cautious
as ever, that the time had come to
make that postponed call on Miss
Elizabeth Huntington on the Avenue.
Ben went, without asking If he
might, only finding out casually from
Betty's brother that she would be
home. Ben was fiabbergasted, and
the jubilant assurance and welcome
.vouchsafed by Miss Betty flabbergast-
ed him more.
the maid called her to the hall to
meet Ben. 1--WE hadn't heard from
you for so long. |, didn't know. Now
you're here, oh, please stay for the
party. It's informal, anyway, planned
on the spur Of the moment. do like
informal things. really do. It's
It's my engagement party, Ben"
Ben gasped. Away went his eau
ton to the winds.
"Your-engagement-
II really can't discuss it now
beamed Betty, but never was SO
happy in my life. Come on in and
make me happier"
Benjamin Flanders squared. his
shoulders. You bet I'll come in,' he
said, and marched. And, marvellous
thought, for the first time in his life
as far as society usage and behavior
was concerned, he did not feel in the
least uncomfortable. Something more
important engrossed him. Betty en-
gagged! What fool he'd been. He
might have known If he waited he'd
lose out. But confound the man who'd
get her; engagement wasn't marriage
He'd give him close chase. If he
could win out in business by sticking
to 1t, working like a trojan, with
Betty the incentive, give him the
chance
Ben was revelation that night to
the people at Betty's party. He fitted
Into the hilarious, unorganized affail
like the last and most essential part
of huge jigsaw puzzle. Before he
came there had been queer, indie
Unable nervousness in the air, won
dering shared by everybody about
what was going to happen next. With
Ben's arrival change took place
Everybody was just as interested, ever
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