The Olneyville times. (Olneyville [Providence, R.I.]) 1887-1917, 1900-09-28

c5&a there's nothing the
- matter with me-"
"Humphr' said Aunt Martha. impa-
tiently. you know as well as | do
what l mean. Have you and Len been
quarrelingT
mo. indeed! What should we quar-
rel aboutf"
well ! thought that neither OF you
seemed in very aimable humor to
day, and / fancy he thinks you don't
treat him we'll
Patty, Indignantly. How does he
want to be treated, l should like to
know
well you know, he's little bash
full, and inclined. 10 bc doubtful and
hold back; and such men need cncour-
agement 1t was the way with his
father, and if 'LiZbcth Jane hadn't
coaxed and led him on-almost popped
the question herself rally don't
thing as that man would ever have
come TO the pint, though he was dy-
ing In love with her, and Lens just
like his father"
Len will get no coaxng from me,
he may be sure" said Patty, tossing
her head. "a man who can't go
straightforward and do what he wants
without waiting to be encouraged isn't
worth having"
"He says" resumed Aunt Martha,
calmly. that last night at the Wcbbs
you were all the time laughing and
talking and dancing with young John
Beattic."
Because John Bcattic talked and
danced with me. Len could have done
the same If he had chosen, instead OF
skulking about in corners like n spi-
der, watching me-" and the tears start
ed into Pattys eyes.
Len looked wistfully at Patty ms he
laid down a book on the kitchen dress
or and drew up rush bottomed chair.
Cant you make me of some use,
Aunt Marthap he said, as he turned
back his wristbands. "My hands are
rather clumsy, but | wasn't brought
up at Orchard Farm not to know how
to peel and cut an apple"
you may take my place." said his
nunt, briskly, rising and spreading a
clean towel across his knees, while
1 go and look after that kcttlc-which
must be about billing over by this
time"
Then Len began with great care to
pare an apple, while Patty, with MIN
III I,.l Ill 4
dropped them into the pan.
How fast you are!" said Len, admir-
ingly.
Better be fast than slow" she an
swered, sharply.
And, cutting around an apple with
redoubcd rapidity, 1t slipped from her
hand and rolled across the floor
"'More haste, less speed'" laughed
Len.
Patty thought to herself that he
should not see her vexcd, so she said
quietly:
There's TO be n little dance at Mrs.
Billiards. tomorrow Emma stopped
in just now to ask us. ! told her we'd
go If ii didn't rain"
"Oh, il won't rain-at least l hope
not"
why" said Patty, picking among
the apples and knowing very well that
IL was because he wanted the walk.
with her across the fields and through
the pretty maplewood path
why" said Len. awkwardly. "you
know n fellow don't like to get a
duckng."
Some people would be better for n
ducking." she retorted, and to add
poignancy to the remark she added.
"John Bcattie don't mind getting wet.
He says he enjoys ii and he likes II
TO rain when there is a party"
Very probably. Geese and bears
generally enjoy rain But he might
consider that IL wouldn't be SO agree
able TO the ladies'"
'He says-Patty hesitated n little
and again dived into the baskct-"hc
says he likes Il because he has TO
bring home the girls under an um.
brolla."
And she gave little forced gigglc
and glanced slyly at Len. rs In turn he
dipped into the basket.
Wouldn't he take the hint?
"Ah. indeed! And | suppose he ex-
poets to bring you home tomorrow
night under an umbrella
HE hasn't asked me. or course I
shall have TO accept IL he does-and
nobody else offers"
$50 you don't mind whom you 60
withI Your rs lief have one as an.
other" said Len. looking at her :or
an instant. and then coloring and drop.
ping his eyes on his work
WAS there ever such stupidity r.
Aunt Martha thought. as she listened
while stirring her preserves
And Patty's cheeks flushed and her
eyes half filled with tears rs she
thought OF Lens father aud the long
seven years of waiting.
She rose from her seat and shook the
bits Of parings from her apron.
II always accept the first offerr' she
fnid. with great decision. and she
walked on. leaving Len savagely stab
biDg at an apple as though II had been