The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1902-01-29
The letter p"
By j. j. A'BEcHET

Eve got to say something to you, Mr..
Partridke. 1t isn't very nice to have to men
ton it. But. though Hetty is smart she's
only girl and only used to country ways.
She used to like to visit with friends nights,
but now she don't show no disposition to do
so. 1t may be the music, and that's ALL But
she's changed since you came. She's moody
at times and then again kind of giddy and ex-
cited I've watched you, and can see that
you don't take more than ordinary notice of
Het. But when l found this in her room
Yesterday it made me do some thinking, and
made up my mind it was time to speak to
YOU Look at that!"
ohe unfolded white cloth and showed a
square or deep yellow silk with several bars
OF music embroidered in each corner In the
m1ddle large '''P" was outlined in the same
black silk
Mr. Partridge took the SQUARE examined
the musical bars and nodded his head Then
he looked at Mrs. Humphreys with mildly
| inquisitive air
! on seem to know them musical hgures,''
| saia she, severely. Have they got any
| meaning?" t! :
why, yes. This is from a Scotch ballad
Couih you come back to me, Douglas, Doug
las?' He sang the words softly. This IS
| from Carmen" He sang again .St tu
| M aimes, Escamilo' ''Then this. ;s tron,
| The Bedouin's Love Song The last is a
passage from "A Pastoral Symphony /, prac-
tice."
| The ingenious young Redeemed under
the sustained gaze of Hetty's mother
Its not just fancy lin me-" she declared
"That poor childs in love"
well, that isn't such a dreadful thing Mrs
Humphreys, is it? Miss Hetty is about IS OF
! -, and girls usually do fall in love about
that time
I'm not blaming you. But you don't mean
70 t1,of
my daughter. do you, Mr.. Partridge?" She
! spoke with a red face, but fierce determine
| ton.
Good heavens, MOI" exclaimed the must
clan. with anTexplosive emphasis that carried
conviction. ''What-what have I to do with
| it?'' .... ..t.--. r. 80.
| She put her forefnger on the large funereal
p. ''P stands for Partridge doesn't it?'
He flushed with annoyance, but there was
| no sainsaying that it did.
1t must be all a mistake he protested.
| 81 never see her alone except when she is
| around when l play evenings and I don't see
| her then. She likes to listen quietly and
then go away. I am perfectly innocent
| Her expression had softened, though she
| still looked worried. II don't blame you
Mr.. Partridge, but you can see that it must
| be stopped. -
| He did some quick thinking. II can go
| away. I meant to stay two weeks longer,
but get off in a day or two" -@-- g..
Three days later Hetty drove him to the
! station. Her mother could not oppose this
| last devotion. She saw him on the train. II
I am ever SO much obliged for those lovely eve
nings of music" she said cheerfully, and he
! could not but admire her bravery.
He hesitated moment and then said. Il
would really like to have the sofa pillow,
Miss Hetty.'
She looked at him oDen-eyed. then asked
quickly, How did you know anything about
:t?'
s.Oh, I saw it one day he replied evasve-
| ~. q know all the airs, of course but |
shouldn't have guessed it was for me only
for the p
She burst into a merry fit of laughter did
| mother show that to you? Upon my word;
that wasn't for you'll And she laughed
again. %. B.
-.'Oh, pardon me- But the train pulled
up and he was off.
- 1t had not disappeared when a young fellow
came out of the waiting-room, and the two
drove brlskly away.
George" she said, THAT Princeton pillow
made for you mother and Mr. Partridge
thought had made for him.
well, there's harm in that" he laughed
back. .sIf he had only known what a good
blind his playing was for those evenings in
the arhor he wouldn't have any suspicious
like that. But we've got to hurry to get to
the other station. The minister is expecting
us in New Haven"
~"Oh, George. mother will be surprised! DC
you suppose your father will forgive us?'
'.'lf he doesn't, I can stand it, Hetty, dear