The evening times. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1895-1902, 1895-12-25

| LECTION. fLI
Patience Cummings" said she, you're
a very frivolous woman. but it's Only FOL
this once, you understand" And lifting her
train with one hand. she took the candle in
the other, and descended to the sitting room.
"Oughter have some flowers, l ex-
| pcct," said sbe,, rccklessly brea king Off
two OF the finest blossoms from her ia.
vorite pink rose bush in the window.
One at her throat the other in her
| hair. Now l look something like, said
| she,
At that moment there came a loud
| kno ok at the door.
| She started guilty. WHO under the
canopy can it be-" she calculated. AN
| what will they think of me! l daresn't
show my head
| Another knock louder than before.
| "'Spose I'll have Ia see who's there,
and she looked around for ing
| with which to cnver up her finery. She
spied Susans waterproof hanging over
u chair. and enveloping herself in its
ample folds she opened the door a very
| little and looked cautiously out.
Don't be afraid, Miss Patience, it's only
| me- said a hearty voice.
"Oh, how do you do, Squire Willard?
You gave me an awful scare. Won't you
come in?'' she exclaimed, opening the
| door wide.
We'll 1 guess I will, seem that's what
/ came over for" responded the visitor,
| reaching out a hand in friendly greeting.
Patience couldn't extend hers very far,
on account of that old waterproof, but
did the best she could under the circum-
stances.
The folks have all gone away" she in
formed him., rather stiffly. She wasn't at
all sure that she didn't wish her visitor
away. too. .s-
Yes, saw 'em go by" said the squire.
who had been divesting himself IF his
ovcrcnat, an noticed you wasn't along.
so l thought I'd come over. But maybe
You were guin out" he added, regarding
her with an expression uf perplexity on his
genial face.
He recollected with some einbarrassm
that she hadn't asked him to take off his
overcnat, or sit down, and somehow she
didn't Look very cordial, standing there
with that long black thing hanging around
her.
"Idon' wanter Under you," he continued.
Il wasn't thinkin' OF g,,in' out replied
Patience, and then she laughed.
Now. what's the jnke?' asked the squire.
looking somewhat relieved at this sudden
change in deneanor on her part.
Il guess don seem over n above polite
sa id Pa thence, alphabetically, but 1
couldnt keep from laughin' to think Of goin
out in this rig" and she threw off the
ClDdk InU StbOu Shilling ana DluSnlnS De-
fore the squire.
why. Pattie,' cried the squire, using
the old familiar name uncnsciously, you
Look pretty as a picture
Il guess you II think I'm fool sa Id she.
II guess not" he returned. Seems IL
me I've seen you wear that dress before"
Il didn't s'poSe you'd remember" muir
INJURED she.
Don't seems though twas moren a
sir 10 hot rt,.
over to our house." he continued in remi-
niscent tones.
Don't it, she returned family, her
eyes do wncIst.
''Pattie," said he, rega riding her tend
erly. Il made a mistake a great many
years ago-we won't talk bout that,
though. But / always thought a sight
of you, an I've been thnkin' considerable
bout old times lately-an' wondcrn' il you
didn't-that is, il you wouldn't give me
another chance"
Would she, Did she understand! 1t all
seemed like dream.
She raised her eyes inquiringly. The
squire's face was very near her.
Il want you for my wife, Pattie,' said
lie, softly.
''Oh, Squire willard do you really mean
it," she exclaimed, TREMENDOUSLY.
Mean it! Why Pattie!'' said the squire,
reproachfully.
And his arguments in the affirmative were
SO very conclusive and convincing that Pa
tience felt her doubts gradually melt away,
and speedily believed herself to be the
happiest woman in the world.
In fact they both sailed up into the sew
enth heaven of bliss. where they doubtless
would have remained indefinitely, but for
Patience'S unfortunate memory. She sud-
denly withdrew from her lovers encircling
arms.
Squire Willard" said She, seriously,
Il just forgot myself"
That's all right; l hope you'n forget
yourself again." returned he. "You'c
better forget to call me squire. too
Il amt jokin'." said Patience, with dig
nifty; IAN I think I oughter know bout
that wilder woman you're goin'- to
marry"
'.Widder woman!'' cried the squire, In
Il amt goin to marry any
widtfer. unless you're one"
Don't you go regular to Linebrook TO
see a wilder with two grown-updau
demanded Patience.
"Yes. / do" answered the squire, his
eyes twinllling; ..but dunno's I'm 'bliged
to marry her, + / do
No, / 's'pOse you can go around breakin'
women's hearts," returned Patience, her
voice trembling. She felt that her idol was
shattered and her short-lived happiness at
an end.
Now, Pattie," said the squire, re-
pressing an evident inclination to laugh,
II shouldn't have thought you'd believed
any such yarn. s'posed you knew that I
went over to Linebrook to see Sister Ellen.
she lost her husband six months ago. an
she'n her girls have come there to live"
'Wcf. IL that don't beat all. 1 dun
nos fou'll ever forgive me-" faltered
Patience.
''Weil, I'll try returned he. "S'posen
begin now.'s
The squire never did an ything by halves,
and certainly the happy penitent could not
complain that he was not very thorough
in this matter of granting absolution.
He made one demand, however, which
was not refused, and on New Years Day
the wedding bells sang merrily for the
squire and his bride.
'Well I'll be switched" exclaimed |
Sister in-law Susan, ''if Patience amt |
,ly one" .......
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