The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1928-01-26
AS for Beth's
Duty
(Copyright.)
By CLARISSA MACKIE

period of her life.
The doctors wife, Mrs. Penny, had
promptly brought out fat pocket
book and paid her dues, with CHEEKY
laugh about some book that she had
recently read, and which she recom-
mended to the pretty young treasurer.
Mrs. Bleak had given Beth a dainty
blue check to cover the amount OF
her dues as a library member, and
when she had received the receipt and
put 1t away in her desk, she had re-
turned to her chair and leaned conf
dentially toward Beth.
"My DEAR" she began in low tone,
1T understand that you are engaged to
marry Donald BlakeT
Beth blushed and admitted that 1t
was true, at the same time remember
ing that Donald worked in Mr.. Bleak's
office.
"Of course, that is quite lovely, my
DEAR" said Mrs. Bleak cordially, but
of course you will not be getting
married just YETI"
1--WE did speak of next winter some
time" murmured Beth, with a sudden,
horrid feeling that Mrs. Bleak did not
quite approve of the engagement.
$50 soon?' the lady lifted her hands
in horror.
"Why not?" asked Beth bluntly.
'My DEAR" purred Mrs. Bleak, Il
was just thinking about what my hus-
band said about Donalds career!"
'What about it?"
81 am really quoting my husband,
and he would be very angry with me
If he knew that I had told what he
confided to me-but feel that you
should know, Beth-it IS a woman's
duty to make sacrifices, you know"
II know" said Beth duly.
'Well, will be perfectly frank with
you, trusting that you will not men,
ton a word to Donald-Azariah told
me last night that he was much
the past two years-said that he
wanted to advance him to a junior
partnership provided Donald can raise
the necessary money for Investment
in the firm-merely matter of form,
you know, my dearw
eyes, of course" said Beth calmly.
"You may have heard that Mr..
Bleak does not approve of young men
marrying when they are too young,
or before they are really settled in
business, and he went on to say that
If Donald really intended to marry
very soon, that he would not offer him
the partnership but give 1t to Ferdf-
nand Piper, who, as you know, Is a
confirmed bachelor!''
Another moment and Beth was out
of the house and going down the prfm
walk, her mind chaos Of doubt.
Why, she had planned to be the
greatest help to Donald! Beth was
an accomplished housekeeper and she
had always worked at home with her
mother in the old-fashioned way. Hes
father had a very good business that
provided a comfortable living for the
three of them, and balance in bank
That night after she arrived home,
Beth talked with her parents. She
never told a word of what Mrs. Bleak
had said to her, but she suggested
that she would like to go to the noun
school, and teach therel And they
consented, and when she told Donald
the next day, and casually explained
that she wanted a change, he, too, cor
daily agreed with her-and so Beth
Raynor went, and left Donald free for
his promotion.
Toward the end of September, when
the summer school ended, Donald
Blake got into his motor car and with
a word to Mr.. and Mrs. Raynor start
ed for Beth's mountain retreat.
Beth was walking in the woods,
when the trees were flaming with the
first frost touch. She had In way
enjoyed the summer, though she had
missed her parents, and she had
cruelty missed Donald.
Donald had already saved the
money for their house, and the first
years living had been planned with
the thriftiness which had been a birth
right. Had Mrs. Bleak really spoken
the truth or was 1t only a woman's
silly gossip?
1t was then that Donald Blake ap-
peared and took Beth in his arms.
1--WE want you at home," he told her
gravely, and when at last she had
taken farewell Of her aunt, and they
motored down the mountain roads to-
ward home, he told her how he had
missed her.
When they reached the town, Don
aid insisted on driving her through
the business center, and suddenly he
pointed up to the new tall brick block
that had grown during her absence.
"My offices are up there" he told her.
During the summer, decided that I
could do better alone, and my office
is rushed. Old Bleak was furious
told me l was making the mistake Of
my life to get married just now, and
SOL just went ahead and had our
house built according to our plans"
and just then they turned another
corner and there was Beth's old home,
and next door was the prettiest new
bungalow, waiting for the finishing
touches and Beth's opinion.
AS for Beth's duty-it seems to be
entirely In her own home and that Of