The guardian. [volume] (Boston, Mass.) 1901-1960, 1940-07-27
Beautiful Betty
90
By MAZDA SMITH
ASSOCIATED Newspapers.)
WNU Service.

IacS, barely IN time, too"
Alicia made suitable excIama-
tons, her own face relieved. The
ring that he slipped upon her fourth
finger was exquisite, indeed, but she
had seen it before when he had
taken her into the jewelry store to
select it. She had wanted to wear
1t home, but Billy had insisted that
the size was a trife too large and
it had been left for alteration.
"Billy," reflected the petted young
woman, sis oddly restless" In the
store he had whispered and ges-
tured when he withdrew with the
clerk and now he seemed almost on
the eve of doing a shuttle of Joy as
he stared at his love token.
At that moment her father en-
tered, his small, shrewd eyes rest
ing impassively upon the pretty
tableau.
'The ring came just in time for
the engagement party" babbled
Billy, wiping his brow.
"Well, one would naturally expect
to see her wearing one," returned
Mr.. Smithers enthusiastically.
SIS your dad here, YETI"
Bill shook his sleek head. He'll
be here tomorrow. He gulped,
flushed, and then murmured: "I
took the liberty of bringing a guest,
Alicia; she's an artist and an old
friend. 1 thought she'd enjoy the
doings."
Mr.. Smithers did not repress his
surprise, although his daughter, in
the flush of joy proper to a newly
engaged girl, tried to smirk con-
vincingly.
''Where is-she?" she let fall be-
latedly.
Billy ran his finger inside his col
lar. ''I-brought her with me.
She's out there"
Puzzled, but mindful of her obi
cations as hostess, Alicia stepped
into the hall where she now per-
ceived a small and radiant figure
sitting in deep chair before the
fireplace.
"Betty Bernard, Alicia, and a
good scout" stammered Billy.
An influx of hilarious guests al
most drowned the ensuing words
and Betty was swept upstairs with
the other girls.
In an incredibly short time, how
ever, she was back with the en-
gagged couple and Alicia found her
at her elbow constantly through the
evening. Even when they all piled
into cars en- route for the Scarlet
Parrot, Betty squeezed into Bills
speedster with them and when
Alicia, becoming a trif1ed bored with
the persistent attentions of the good
scout, asked Jim to take her away
to another table at the cabaret,
she saw, with mounting annoyance,
that the two were within two feet
of her.
Presently, intercepting an ex-
change of glances between the good
scout and her fiance, Alicia with
drew to the dressing room to ponder
her future actions. 1t was patent
that Betty had some hold on Bill.
When the announcement of the en-
gagemept had been made Betty had
been most attentive and her long
lashed brown eyes had remained
glued upon the diamond ring.
Alicia looked up from the glowing
tip of her cigarette to find Betty
seated on the lounge opposite her.
BILLY is stranger in this city.
How do you happen to be here, Miss
Bernardo"
Business" Betty's smile was
Circelike.
Alicia famed. The brilliant brown
eyes were again fixed upon the be-
trothal ring. This girl had some
hold upon Billy. Probably she in
tended to make a scene and claim
him. She'd not stand the situa-
ton an instant longer.
Leaping to her feet, she fairly ran
out.
A MISUNDERSTANDING man was
examining his billfold and talking to
Bill.
81 am returning this ring" said
Alicia in her best manner; please
take that woman away from here.
I'm tired of her"
Betty exchanged a knowing grin
with the scarlet Bill.
81 have it here, Bill. Is this the
lady?"
Alicia winked back a tear as Bills
father handed over sheaf of bank
notes to the shameless Betty. The
bright dream was ended. Bill was
Enthusiastically of her wor-
ship.
"Thank you," the good scout was
saying, tucking the roll of bills in
her brocade bag. 81 just hated
to follow her about, but your son be-
ing a stranger could not offer any
security for the ring, and so the
firm rented him the ring for the
evening. Goodnight and thanks for
the party, Miss Smithers."
Repentantly Alicia turned to her
misjudged fiance.