The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-08-10

In silence heretofore. stepped for.
ward.
"IIl 90, aun.y," said she. elf yourt
take care Of the twins. ] have had
the smallpox. I am not afraid Of it."
But. Patty. 1 thought you dis
liked Mr.. MARVEL 20 much?"
II did," said Patty. with . smile
and . shrug Of her shoulders. ''But
it isn't worth willie 70 think OF that
now. He is sick, and solitary. and
he i, q fellow creature. That is
enough"
And Patty packed her little bundle,
kissed the peachy. unconscious
cheeks Of the twins, and went on her
mission, like . new variety OF 'Soeur
dc Charlie.
What a disconsolate scene VAS that!
in the midst Of which lay Mr.. MARVEL,
tossing on . bed OF sickness. A fire.
less CRATE; undraped windows, through
which the sun beat with merciiess
brilliancy; dust 10 every spot ON
| which dust could possibly alight. and
pillow and bed liren q week old.
'Ill soon set oil these matters
straight" said Patty, moving around
with the quick decision that was nat
ural 10 her. And within half an hour
the scene had assumed q more home
like look, even to the staring. uncon.
scious eyes OF the delirious man.
WHO are You? An angei?" he
asked, lowering his voice TO whisper.
mo" she answered. smiling in
optic Of herself. I'm Patty"
Don't leave me-" he urged. cts
SO dreadful to be left alone.
"No," she answered; II won't"
Phineas MARVEL lay ill for q month
and with slow recovery came sense
OF all that Patty Smith had done for
him.
I'll tell you what" said the doc.
tor, on the day that he made his last
professional visit, "if it hadn't been
for Mrs. Smith, you would have been
snugiy slowed away between four
mahogany boards by this time, my
friend"
II know it," Mr.. Marvell answered.
"Well," said Mrs. Hyde, when at
last Patty returned homo and Rugged
the twins within an inch of their
lives, II hope the poor, dear gentle
man is better"
lob, he's all right nowr' said
Patty. "He's coming back to-mor.
row or the next day. Is the room all
ready?'
"All ready" Mrs. Hyde answered.
Mr.. MARVEL returned the next day
and once more took possession of his
old quarters.
Mrs. HYDE" said he, with little
embarrassment, when that lady came
upstairs to inquire his wishes in re
gard to any early tea. "therc's some
thing I, perhaps, ought to mention t.
you"
"Indeed, sir!'' said the wondering
Mrs. Hyde. What is that?"
'Tm going to be married." an
nounced the bachelor, with infinite
sheepishness.
married, sir? You? Dear, dear
Then you'll be leaving me again,
shouldn't wonder"
mot necessarily, Mrs. Hyde.
dare say you and my future wife viii
get along very comfortably together.
Indeed, sir!"
, ''For I'm going to marry-Patty.
''Patty?" echoed Mrs. Hyde.
Eyes, Patty!"
"And how about the twins?" lie
manded the amazed matron.
1.-The twins, Mrs. Hyde, are tn
=, dearest little creatures in the world.
And, improbable as it may seem
Mr.. MARVEL really looked as if he be
y lieved what he said!
1t was oil true. He did MARI
!, Patty-aud he was proud of his pretty
y energetic little wife, and still NOR
), proud, strange to say, Of the twins!
II wouldn't believe it unless I'd b,
seen 1t with my own eyes," said Mr.
! Hyde. "He as never could endul
9 children afore! But I'm as please
; as Punch, for Patty's sake!'
=, And Patty and her middle.age
:: husband were serenely happy +
0 gether.