The Republican., 1933-05-11
Bcth's Duty
By CLARISSA MACKIE
g by Mcclure Newspaper Syndicate.
WNU Service

promptly brought out fat pocket
book and paid her dues. with CHEEKY
laugh about some book that she had
read recently, and which she recon-
mended to the pretty young treasurer.
Beth had gone away from the doc
tors with a large bunch of Mrs.
Penny's special pink roses.
Beth never forgot that hour at Mrs.
Bleak's house. That is. she did not
forget it for a long, long time, and
whenever she did remember that hour
stolen from June morning, she shiv-
cred as with sudden cold.
Mrs. Bleak had given Beth dainty
blue check to cover the amount of her
dues as a library member.
"ATy dear" she began in low tone,
II understand that you are engaged to
marry Donald Blake?"
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 mar.
ried just yet?"
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, II
was just thinking about what my hus-
band said about Donald's career"
"What about it?"
81 am really quoting my husband,
and he would he very angry with me If
he had ever known 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 mention
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 ad-
vance him to a junior partnership pro-
vided 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 settled in busi-
ness. and he went on to say that If
Donald really intended to marry very
soon, that he would not offer him the
partnership hut give it to Ferdinand
Piper. who. as you know. IS con-
firmed bachelOr!"
Another moment. and Beth was out
of the house and going down the prim
walk. her mind a chaos of doubt and
rebellion.
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-faGhioned way.
That night after she arrived home
Beth talked with her parents. She
never told Il word of what Mrs. Bleak
had said to her. but she suggested
that she would like to 90 to the noun
tains where her aunt had summer
school. and teach there! 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
promotion.
Toward the end of September. when
the summer school ended. Donald
Blake got into his motor car and with
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 a way
enjoyed the summer. though she had
missed her parents, and she had cruel
ly missed Donald.
Donald had already saved the money
for their house. and the first years llv-
ing expenses had been planned with
the thrftincSS which had been a birth
right. Had Mrs. Bleak really spoken
the truth or was it only wOman's
silly gossip?
1t was then that Donald appeared
and took Beth in his arms Eve 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, Don
aid insisted on driving her through the
business center. and suddenly he
pointed to now tall brick block that
had grown during her absence "My
offices are up there" he told her. Dur.
ing the summer. decided that | could
do better alone. and my office is now
being rushed. Old Bleak was furious
fold me I 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 cor
ner and there was Beths old home
and next door was the pretticst new
bungalow, waiting for the finishing
touches and Beths opinion.
-
entirely in her own home and that of