The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1885-1921, 1889-11-02


little late for tea. Oh, you were looking
1t my umbrella, Miss Martha. Well,
rant you" with a quiet snile) sit i
rather ridiculous; but it is a very ole
friend of mine, and I've prejudice IL
favor of old friends"
Patty burst into tears; the umbrella
ELL clank against the iron shell Of the
nat rack, splitting the stork's head in
Two.
"Please do forgive me, Mai. Carsonr
she sobbed. "I've behaved like Pata-
gonian Indian, and don't deserve that
you should ever speak to me again! But
never will again-and, oh, please, I've
broken it nowl What will Prudence
'ayI"
quietly interposing to prevent her pick
ing up the ruins of the Sacred Ibis. F'But
what has Miss Prudence Price to do
with it,"
IL don't know" murmured Patty.
'She says have neither discretion nor
dignity, and she is right"
'Now, Miss Martha, stop crying" said
the major, gently patting her hand. eff
you think that / bear you any malice on
account of this mornings innocent bit
Of girlish masquerade, you are entirely
mistaken. 1t is quite natural that half
dozen gay young things should make
fun of an old fogy like me"
But you are not an old fogyf"
cat eight-and-th thirty? No? Well, peo-
pie differ on such subjects. And you
are not to torment yourself about it any
more-do you hear? Why do you look
SO earnestly at me?' he added.
The long, dark curtains of lashes fell
on Pattys crimson cheek once more.
Il don't know" she faltered. 'T was
thinking how good you are. Here comes
mother, and | know by the smell that
old Daphne has taken the tea biscuit
out of the oven. And oh, am so sorry
about the umbrellaI'
The major picked up the umbrella,
snapped the slender standard in two.
and flung it composedly out of the hall
window.
''Therel' said he, ST won't have you
trettlng yourself so ceaselessly about an
old umbrella"
Old Daphne, coming across the hall
with the coffee pot in her hand, stopped
short.
Dress an sabe usI' cried she, 'if de
SPen amt done gone outen de house!
Well, it's pow'ful lucky ting for we
uns. l neber done feel easy while dat
ar was stan'in' round"
Martha" said Mrs. Price to her
youngest daughter that evening while
careworn Prudence was examining the
bakers book down in the kitchen. ''Mai
carson has been speaking to me-
- know" interrupted Patty, with a
little guilty start. "He's going away
the best boarder you ever had0and it's
all my fault"
''No, he's not going away. He'-
"Then," cried Patty, "he's going to
marry Prudence! And she's a dear,
good girl as ever lived, mother, but
but do you think she is quite young
enough for the MAORI"
My dear child, if you would only
near me out. The major
elias got a wife already in Indiap'
burst out Patty-''an olive skinned prin-
cess, with diamond as big as a hazel
nut in her tiara, and he wants to bring
her herel There are some things won't
stand, mother. The Emporium people
are going to establish branch business
at Denver, and I'll go out there with
Miss DAILY and the Wicklow girls.
don't believe"-
AT that moment there was an outcry
in the kitchen. Master Alonzo Price.
the youngest hope Of the family, had
just come in with a bloody nose from
single combat with some neighboring
youth. Mrs. Price grasped canphor
bottle and rushed to the rescue, and
Patty was left alone.
81 wish l were deadl" sobbed she.
dropping her head on the cushioned arm
of the sofa. Its all the evil spell of
that horrid old umbrella"
'Has your mother told you, Martha?" |
asked gentle, reassuring voice close to |
her elbow.
And she started, to behold the very
subject of her thoughts.
"No-yes"- she faltered. s'Please
don't go away, Maj. Carson!"
1T all depends on you, Martha,
gravely.
"Does it, really?' Her heavy eyes
frightened a little at this. ''Then I will
try to be good to her."
10 be good to whom% said the major,
with something of a puzzled expression
in his face.
'''To the prin-to the lady, I mean,
whom you are going to marry"
81 shall marry no lady, little Martha,
unless you will have me-" said the ma
Ior, resignedly, struggling his shoulders.
YES" spoke up Maj. Carson. 81
hardly dared plead my own cause
With you; but since Mrs. Price has not
my message, I must even try
or myself. suppose, dear, seem very
grim and antiquated to you, but my
leart has never yet been touched by wo-
mans voice or woman's eyes, and have
crown to love you very dearly. Do you
hlnk, Patty, you could learn to love me
lgain?"
Patty had grown first red, then pale.
Ter hands futtered, as she glanced
mildly up, and then answered:
'Oh, yes, l am sure could, because
'ecause felt so miserably jealous when
thought of the East India princess"
''Of whomF'
mo matter-no matter" said Patty.
And almost in second she was crying
nd laughing On Maj. Carson's breast.
But the nexU morning she crept out
nto the garden and picked up the pieces
the Sacred Ibis head, lying out there
4 the dewy grass.
81 shall have it mended," said she,
and keep it always. Daphne is right
Is an amulet, and it has brought me
enthusiastically Night.
TDrs2Ea