Western news and the Libby times. [volume] (Libby, Mont.) 1920-1933, 1933-01-19
Beth's Duty
BY CLARISSA MACkIE
C by Mcclure Newspaper syndicatss
WNu Service

.She was about TO meet the most try
Ing period of her life
The doctors wife. Mrs. Penny. had
promptly brought Out a fat pocket
book. and paid her dues. with CHEEKY
laugh about some book that she had
rend recently, and which she recon-
mended to the pretty young treasurer
Beth had gone away from the doc
tors with 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 Ii for 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 a dainty
blue check to cover the amount of her
dues as library member.
"My dear" she began In low tone,
Il understand that you are engaged to
marry Donald Rlake7"
Beth blished and admitted that It
wasatrue, at the same time remember
Ing that Donald worked In Mr.. Bleak's
office.
''0f course. that is quite lovely, my
dear" said Mrs. Bleak cordially. "hut
OF course you Will not be getting mar
ried Just yet7'
eve did speak of next winter some
time' murmured Reth with sudden.
horrid feeling that Mrs Bleak did not
quite approve of the engagement.
$50 saon?" the ladyellfted her hands
In horror.
.AVhy tt" asked Beth hluntlv.
"My dear" pnrred Mrs. Bleak. Il
was lust thinking about what my hus-
band said about nonald's career r.
What about IT."
am really quoting my husband.
and he would he very angry with ME II
he had ever known TINT | had told
what he cnnfided TO me-hnt feel
that you should know, Reth--it Is
woman's duty to make sacrifices. you
know i''
Il know" said Reth duly
Well. will be perfectly frank with
you. trusting thai ynn will moi mention
word to nnnald-Azariah fold me
last night that he was pleased with
Donalds work during the past two
years-and said that he wanted to ad-
vance him to Junior partnership pro.
vided Donald can raise the necessary
money for investment In the firm
merely matter OF form. you know,
my deari |"
Eyes. of course said Beth calmly.
"You may have heard that Mr..
Bleak does not approve Of Young men
marrying when they are foo young. or
before they are really settled In bnsI-
ness. and he went nm to say that II
Donald really intended TO marry very
soon. that he would NOT offer him the
partnership but give II to Ferdinand
Piper who. as you know. Is con-
nrmed bachelor |"
Another moment, and Beth was out
Of the house and going down the prlm
walk. her mind q chaos of doubt and
rebellion
Why. she had planned to be the
greatest help TO Donald. Beth was an
accomplished honsekpenpr. and she
had always worked at home with her
mother In the oldfashioned way
That night after she arrived home
Beth talked with her parents. She
never told q word of what Mrs Bleak
had said TO her. but she suggested
TINT she would like to 60 70 the noun.
tains where her aunt had summer
school. and teach fherei And they
consented. and when she told Donald
the next day. and casually explained
that she wanted change. he too, cor
dlally 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 chr and with
word to Mr.. and Mrs Raynor. start
ed for Reths 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 cruel
ly missed Donald. a.
Donald had already saved fine money
for their house. and fhe firsf years Nv
Ing expenses had been planned with
the thriftiness which had been birth
right. Had Mrs Bleak really spoken
the truth or was 1t only Woman's
silly gossip7
II was then that Donald appeared
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 towards home. he told
how much he Ind missed her.
When they reached the town DON
aid insisted on driving her through the
business center. and suddenly. he
polnted to a new tail brick block that
had grown during her absence. My
Offices are up there" he told her. '4Tnr
Ing the summer | decided TINT could
do better alone. and my office Ia now
being rushed. Old Bleak WAS furious
told me | was making the mistake
or my life to get married Just now, and