Jasper County Democrat, Volume 14, Number 87, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 10 February 1912 — MARRYING BETTY [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

MARRYING BETTY

By IZOLA FORRESTER

(Copyright, ion. by Associated Literary Press.) “I suppose I shall have to take her here for three weeks,” Marjorie declared plaintively. She put down the letter frpm Betty with a heavy sigh. “It is surely all that mother or Betty can expect. She’s been away td college, you know, Wally* and I’ve missed seeing her for two years. But 1 know from her letters that she’s awfully strong and athletic, and her hair always vras, rather red. Really, Wally, I do think you might pay attention when it’s so important.” Wallace laughed, and shook his head. "When it comes to marrying off Bet, or managing Bet, I wash my brotherly hands of the job, also my conscience. If you will have Bet for a sister, kiddie, you’ll have to stand for it.” "But, Wally, I knew she’ll —she’ll smother me. She’ll simply absorb all my v itality in a week. Who can I get for her?” “You mean as a sort of physical exerciser for Bet. Somebody to trot her around dally, ride, golf, walk With her, take up Bet’s surplus energy so she won’t exhaust yours?” “Oh, Wally, darling, that’s it exactly," breathed Marjorie thankfully. Wallace bent dow-n to kiss the pretty upturned face. They had been married only five months, so the honeymoon was still visible in the western sky. “There’s only one man that 1 know of who might fall in love with a girl of Bet’s type, athletic and breezy, you understand—Rex Bretherton. He’s just returned from Panama. He hates society and is a child of nature; honestly, Marjorie. We’re old classmates, and I haven’t seen old Rex In seven years. He plunged into government work around the canal and concessions in the republics, and Cut the old New York crowd dead. Worth half a million and more, too. I think he would like Bet.”

Marjorie ruminated, her gray eyes twinkling f with mischief. “Try him, dear," she* said fervently. “Bet will be here Wednesday.” “By way of New York, and up by boat?” Marjorie nodded, ’trying to follow his thoughts. “I am too busy to meet her Wednesday. I’ll ’phone Rex to help

me out like a good fellow. Hotfi that?" "Wally, 1 never dreamed that you were a diplomatist,” said Marjorie, gay’y. “Maybe they'll fall in love and elope on the way up." “I shouldn’t be surprised at anything Bet did. Poor old Rex. Don’t you dare give me away. He would never forgive me.” Marjorie laughed, and hurried away to write Betty. I Il was nearly ten when Betty ar« rived at the Grand Central station. She walked swiftly down the platform, looking for her brother-in-law’s roqnd boyish lace to welc6me her. A touch on her arm startled her, just as she was about to start along the concomse. She turned and faced Rexj Bretherton. A change came over hetty instantly, in that brief moment she seemed to grow taller. Anu all unconsciously Rex beamed at her in high approval. Betty’s wide gray eyes, Bet’s heavy chestnut curls. Bet’s girlish air ot splendid vitality and buoyancy, combined with the unmistakable touch of the thoroughbred that clung to her, all swept her overboard on the moment. “You’re Miss Rossmore, aren’t you?” he asked. “1 am sent to meet you in Wally’s place, and see that you get the boat for Neponsett all right. He s rushed to death, add awfully sorry. You won’t mind, though, will you?” She ignored the eagerness in his tone. -“Haven’t you met me before?” she asked pointedly. “I only wish 1 could say yes," ex claimed Rex, bluntly, his eyes betraying all the Interest he felt. Her straight brows drew together perplexedly. “Oh, but- 1 remember you, Mr Bretherton. I never forget faces. remember you perfectly, distinctly, ai though”—slowly, cruelly—“we werci never Introduced.” Rex cheerfully overlooked the. slight, and piloted her out to his wait ing car deftly, But it was a most un eventful run to the pier. From that first moment Bet made ft plainly evl

(lent that her previous Impression of Mr Bretherton absolutely precluded further acquaintance. She was altogether on the defense, almost amusedly so. Rex saw her to her stateroom, and waited for a last sign of relenting. ‘‘Er—Wally’s asked me up for the week-end to his place.” Betty stared Indifferently beyond him at the passing people Ip the cabin. “I’ll come If you won't mind. 1 know you’ll forgive me for saying so, but I’ve been away from human society so long I’m afraid I’ve turned barbarian.” i “Oh, I know that,” flashed back; Betty unsparingly. Rex eyed her anxiously. “What have you got against me?” he demanded bluntly, the color In his face deepening. “I, swear I never saw you before today. Don’t you suppose I would remember you if I had?" “I did not say that you had met me. I said I remembered you.” “But, Miss Betty—” "Good-by,” said Betty distinctly, and vanished into her stateroom. He heard the click of the lock, bit his lip, and went ashore. Then he ’phoned down to Wallace, and they went out to dinner together. Three hours later Betty faced Marjorie out at the pretty home at Neponsett, on the Long Island shore. "But, listen, Ret,” the latter jvas saying. “I know positively that you never saw Rex before in your life. He’s the dearest boy. What have you against him?”

"Just this,” answered Betty tensely. “He is my best girl friend’s divorced husband. And he's a perfect brute. Oh, I knew him In an Instant, Marjorie. His pictures are all over her house, for she loves him yet. And he used to strike her, too; yes, he did. He says that every woman needed the whip at some time or other In her life, and it was her husband’s place to see that she got it. The brute! That’s what he wrote to her, Margie. 1 saw the letter. Of course, he never really hurt her .badly, but I know he slapped her several times. And Isabella’s heart is simply broken. It has ruined her life, and I would gladly thrash him myself.” Marjorie bit Ker lip. “Is that Belle Bretherton who went ’to Castlewood hall with you to school. Bet? I know her. Cat! She did manage somehow to marry poor Al Bretherton. He Is- Rex’s big brother, a dear, shiftless sgrt of an artist person. Wally’s so fond of him. And he does strikingly resemble Rex, only that Rex is younger and fresher looking.” Betty backed up to the dressing table, her eyes wide and scared. Suddenly the ’phone bell rang merrily. Marjorie answered It, smiling wickedly. “It’s Wally, dear,” she said presently. “Mr. Bretherton Is with him. Would it spoil your visit, dear, If we had Rex for a week, too? He’s so forlorn, and he won’t come unless ' you assure him It will not be unpleasant for you.” Betty reached for the receiver Impetuously. “Go away, Wally. This Is Bet. Yes. Give me Mr. Bretherton, please. Oh, hello. Won’t you please forgive me? I —l don't remember you at all. What? Why, no. I shall be delighted to meet you again. Truly. I’m afraid I don’t understand you—” She turned and covered the mouth of the receiver. "Marjorie, he says he will come for a week, ~but he will make love to me all the time and carry me off to Panama In a month’s time, and that he’s completely overboard, and Wally is on his side. Whatever shall I do?” “Throw him a life preserver," laughed Marjorie. Betty’s color flamed to her ear tips. She Ignored the suggestion and almost whispered back intd the 'phone: "You may come if you wish. I—l1 — 1 will be here three weeks.”

Stared Indifferently Beyond Him.