The Montgomery advertiser., 1903-12-30
Our Daily $bcrt Story

desk, reading q book she had placed there for that express purpose.
 Do you still want to be a newspaper man? |" she asked, as she paused before him.
 And Philip said he did.
 There's a newspaper man coming to nllr house this evening. and if you will come over you can see what one Is like" she said.
 Philip went and saw. And he imme- diately became possessed of desire to become a man like Walter Ellis. the newspaper man.
 Philip is one of my oldest pupils" said Patricia. by way of explanation.
 And the best?" asked Mir. Ellis.
 I'm afraid not" answered Philip, flushing. and looking down upon Pa tricia. for she was dainty and small be- side him.
 ''rhe best except for one fault" said Patricia, land that Is he is in love with very pretty and very bad hammered Attle lady, who never knows her history lesson"
 Not know her history lesson and you her teacher?"
 "oh. Philip makes up for that by whis- pering the answers to her." and Patricia the sting away from her words.
 Mr. Ellis stayed long time. .,hilip listened in wonder to these two talking familiarity. It was new world to him as Patricia had intended 1t should be.
 The next day Mrs. Wright cut Patri- cia dead on the street. but Patricia only smiled.
 That same evening she called at the home of the Brooks and had a long talk with Philips parents about their only son. Patricia never wanted anything that she did not get it. This time what she wanted was that Philip might go away to school. She got it.
 She stayed so long that evening that Philip had to walk home with her. When she gave him her hand to say good-nig he lifted his hat and said: Miss O'Con- nor, know now that I have needed just you to make me know what the best of life is. I have been only an awkward, useless boy, but if you will teach me l shall be what you want me to be-"
 'I will help you, F--llip, was all she said.
 That winter Patricia taught the vile 1age school again; and the next also, but neither of these two winters have any, thing much to do with this story. Kitty Wright had gone to her aunt's, in the city, where, according to her mother. she could learn something" Philip was studying hard in the university. week ly letter told Patricia of his work, and a weekly answer gave him encouragement amid his struggles.
 The following winter a new teacher came to take charge of the village school. and Patricia went back to her old home in the metropolis.
 MT. Ellis met her at the train with a T congratulate you. You have been successful"
 But Patricia's mind was on other things. and she only smiled and answered. rather vaguely: Yes"
 Not very enthusiastic for young and successful writer" he said. But how you ever could stay In that dead little village three years is beyond me. Here's the carriage Ella expects you to come to supper. No amount of possible rural books could have tempted me- but you always were queer''
 Thank you." assented Patricia, laugh ing. 'I don't look ancient or anything like that, do I?'
 'Oh. no: on the contrary. you look un~ usually beautiful. What became of that young fellow I met there several times7 One of your awkward, overgrown young sters. I thought then that he was to bs a character in your book, but was mis- taken. Ella said you probably had some philanthropic notion in your head. Wo- men are unaccountable."
 Patricia opened her eyes. T didn't think him awkward. and I didn't intend to put him in a story. He was just going to marry an objectionable girl-some time-thats all, and settle down into . village nonentity and thus spoil career. for he has career before him. An. there's Ella waiting. How good it seems to be back once more"
 'I never have known the reason why won wanted to take me away from Kitty Wright" Philip said to Patricia one evening, as she sat writing. It was six years later.
 . q told you I didn't want your career spoiled" she answered, marking out some paragraphs. There, that's finished. Do you think Ellis 6 Brooks will nc. cept it?''
 Brooks will at any rate. Was there no other reason. Patricia?"
 Yes; one. Oh. do be careful you'll crumple my story.
 Dear little story. Sweetheart. tell me, was 1t because you cared a little even then?"
 And Patricia said it was.
 And I, who write this story, am Patricia's granddaughter, and Philip is my grandfather. It was from him that heard this story in the long winter evenings, while grandmother listened and smiled. and told me that Philip always was ever so much nicer than grandfather