The Coolidge examiner., 1933-01-20
Beth's Duty
By CLARISSA MACKIE
@ by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

w June morning TO collect the
dues of the private library of which
she was treasurer, she had no idea
that she was about to meet the most
trying period of her life.
The doctors wife, Mrs. Penny
had promptly brought out a fat
pocketboOk and paid her dues
Beth never forgot that hour at
Mrs. Bleak's house.
Mrs. Bleak had given Beth
dainty blue check to cover the
amount of her dues as a library
member, and leaned confidently to-
ward Beth.
My dear" she began in a low
tone, II understand that YOU are
engaged to marry Donald Blake?"
Beth blushed and admitted that
it was true, at the same time re-
.membering 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 get
ting married just YETI"
"We did speak of next winter
some time" murmured Beth.
$50 soon?" the lady lifted her
hands in horror.
"Why not?" asked Beth bluntly.
MY DEAR" purred Mrs. Bleak, 81
was just thinking about what
my husband said about Donald's
careerl"
What about it?"
Il am really quoting my hus-
band and he would be very angry
with me If he had ever known that
| had told what he confided to me
but feel that you should know.
Beth-it is woman's duty to make
sacrifices. you knowl"
81 KNOW" said Beth duly.
well. will be perfectly frank
with you. trusting that you will not
mention a word to Donald-Azariah
told me last night that he was
pleased with Donald's work during
the past two years-and said that
he wanted to advance him to a
junior partnership provided Donald
can raise the necessary money for
Investment in the firm-merely a
matter of form. you know. my
dear!'
"Yes, 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 set
lied in business, and he went on to
say that IL Donald really intended
to marry very soon, that he would
not offer him the partnership but
give 1t to Ferdinand Piper, who, as
you know. is confirmed bachelor !"
Another moment, and Beth was
out of the house and going down
the prim walk. her mind chaos Of
doubt and rebellion.
Why, she had planned to be the
greatest help to Donaldi Beth was
al accomplished housekeeper. and
she had always worked at home
with her mother In the old-fash-
toned way. Her father had a very
good business.
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 sug-
gested that she would like to go to
the mountains where her aunt had
a summer school. and teach there
And they consented, and when she
told Donald the next day, and cas-
ually explained that she wanted a
change, he. too. cordially agreed
with her-and so Beth Raynor
went, and left Donald free for pro-
motion.
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. started for Beth's
mountain retreat.
Beth was walking I'm the woods
when the trees were flaming with
the first frost touch. She had in a
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 expenses had been
planned with the thriftiness which
had been birthright. Had Mrs.
Bleak really spoken the truth or
was 1t only woman's silly gossip?
It was then that Donald appeared
and took Beth in his arms. "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
towards home. he told how much
he had missed her.
When they reached the town,
Donald insisted on driving her
through the business center. and
suddenly he pointed to new tall
brick block that had grown dur
ing her absence. "My offices are up
there" he told her. During the
summer, decided that | could do