The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-06-04
By May AMs De Cou.


stores Of translucent nectar while down among the
weeds cherry brown chippit sang blithely. and
through all came the sleepy tinklng of a cow bell
from the Notwithstanding the happy quiet
tude marking each moment in it's silent speeding.
After brief space Gerald rose to his feet. Miss
Patty must thank you for most charming half
hour"
'Going. soon?' she questioned in surprise,
then felt hurt at such seeming quick deserton.
''Needs-must is at times hard taskmaster. 1t
is beyond everything delightful here. but-you would
not have enter temptation if not able to resist
duty's call? smiling slowly he studied her fair
face.
Patty looked up proudly.
Thanks, did not know Cloverside to be tho
abode of the Tempter Dear old Cloversde-I will
remember the sweet voice fatering suddenly.
Gerald regarded her gravely and about to
speak, when the sight of Scot looking the embodI-
ment of irrepressble Impotence caused him to pull
himself up with frown. But In a moment he
turned pleasantly to his friend:
"Scot dear boy leave you in good hands. Elk
pect at Beaconswold to lunch, for I shall not so
beyond Greycliffe this morning."
Patty sorely offended With n quick, gay
laugh she said. Then you go to Greycliffe, Mr. Pey-
ton? Give my love to the colonel, will you?-he is
such a dear old darling
Scots eyebrows lifted sarcastically. "Jove Pat
ty! stranger would think you the essence Of I'M
scrupulous frivoity."
"But there's no stranger here-more's the pity
And really you poor boy. only in doubt whether
it be Col. Page Mr. Cameron holds my heart"
smile dimpling her lips her chin sank medatively
into. small palm
'Have you always such difficulty in arriving at a
decision Miss Patty?" queried Gerald smiling grave
ly.
Indeed, no; it is usually made the instant"
"And afterwards" warm light in his dark eyes
"Afterward? she repeated, hesitated moment,
then broke into merriest laughter; "oh afterward
mostly repent myself at leisure"
There Pickering beneath the heavy mus
tache slowly lifting his hat Gerald turned to
mount the slope.
In perfect silence they watched him disappear
its brow; then smiling TRANQUILITY into the beau
tiful gray eyes. Scot said Patty, why do you cali
Dad, Mr. Peyton?' -s5 t@" <r.4.,. ~,
rs not that his p" she asked soberly
"Sure thing; but you have known him. as you
have me. from childhood why this formality l.owf
1t is not treating the dear old fellow fairly-mghs
well call me- Mr.. Fieding!"
you dear boy! Mr.. Peyton is ages older than
you-see?'
mo don't" rather hufily. I'm good year
older than yourself anyhow"
mo! whole-big-year? But pouf A year
more less, what are they? And you are always
my little brother, you know" taking in amusedly
his long length stretched upon the sward.
mo brother for me- thanks bouncing up angrily
mo cousin then?" she asked serenely, her eyes
straying absenty to the at the far end of the
lake
Nor cousin either" Scot drew deep breath In
quick resolve; Patty, it absurd to tell YOU
what you already know so we'll, but-ali my life
have intended you should be my wife; that is, OF
course" warmed by a flash in the proud eyes, eff you
Will, dear. And you will will you not, Patty?" fin
lshing humbly, a mute appeal in the boyish face
All at once tears rushed into the girls eyes,
Scot, you cannot mean it," she began then broke of
: to cry out in quick distress: "Oh must lose my
brotherr,
answer now"
Patty shook her head sorrowfully "My brother
always, Scot; but indeed 1 never dreamed Of any,
thing else"
''Think Of it now" he insisted
And Patty, moved by the earnest entreaty of her
old playmate consented
he rose to CO. Patty regarding him wistfulIy
we are friends, are not, Scot?' she asked
My prihcess" in husky tones as he has
tened down to the lake where unmooring small
boat he sprang in and shot into the water while
Patty, longing to comfort yet fearing to make maj
tiers worse. watched him across to Beaconswold
That afternoon Scot Fielding and Gerald Peyton
sat out in the Beaconswod pavilion-an octagop or
stone arches built upon the very edge of that beet
edge.
With customary impetuOsity Scot had unbos-
omed himself to his friend, while Gerald pondered
graVey in the grandeur OF that imitibe stretch or
space. here was no room for pettness-one felt in
sensibly the nobleness of nature
And far away, across the Mississippi the neace-
fu hills rested in the glory of their soft blue haze
Presently Scot burst forth again. "She NAV think
better of it, Jerry, don't you suppose? Such love as
mine is bound to win"
linen there Mashed across the others brain that r.
love alone were necessary for it's winning Patenc-
Rogers must have been his years ago But the de-
nrous thought was crushed in it's incipiencv and
reaching over Gerald laid hand upon Scot'sa
touch OF huest sympathy caused the cnched
muscles to relax and the hardness melt from the
young features.
Rising from his seat Gerald began leisurely To
descend the stone steps.
Il must be going comrade" Pausing he lookad
back and continued slowly. Scot, you remember ON,
agreement? You have Ind your try-do not think
unkindly if 1 now have mine"
All right, Dad, though 1 hate awfullv for ,,o, o..
make fool of yourself. Patience Rogers docs M.
know her own mind nor believe she ever will, un+f
some tremendous cOnvuISion Ovartakos bo.v