Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1903-04-09
DAILY SHORT STORY
One of the Beverly oirIs.
Copyright 1902 bv r. c. Mcclure.


a suspicion of mellow carmine in her
brown cheek and unexpected dimples
whenever she talked, but she didn't
talk much. She lived out of doors
mostly, and she heartily detested head
coverings of any description, so that
her faXen hair was crisped over to the
color of August corn tassels.
Patty was homogeneous and unlike
the other Beverlys. People said she
was u misfit.
Cheseldine had heard of the charms
of the Beverly girls before he went
to the little country town of Yarrow,
which they illumined with the bril-
lance of their beauty. Moreover, it had
been predicted that he would fall q
victim to Medora Beverly, for that was
the accepted rule. Still there were ex-
ceptions, and some did escape Medo-
ra's Vaccinations, only to become en-
tangled in the silSen web of Lillian's
golden hair or fall under the spell of
Lora's wonderful singing. CheseIdine
proved what might be called an ex-
ceptiOnal exception, for neither the
magnolia complexion and melting dark
eyes of Medora, the golden locks and
blue orbs of Lillian nor the witching
voice of Lora held the charm that he
found in Patty's little contradictory
face and odd, alert ways. He had only
met her accidentally. No one ever
seemed to think Patty of much impor-
20 And In Tnl, (NI,ncal1fnn
who had Travelled half over the world
and never sued for womans love, found
himself slave.
They became chums after a fashion,
and she showed him where the hazel
nut patches and papaw thickets were.
One day he saw her gather little
bunch of yellow threads that tangled
about an herb.
''Now we can tell our fortunes" she
said. He looked on, mystified.
at is golden dodder, or love vine
You take a single thread, tie Il loose
knot, think of the one you love and try
to draw the knot tight. If the thread
breaks, you will never marry that per-
son; if not, you WILL
He laughed. Lets try it." he said.
did you ever have your fortune
told, Mr.. Cheseldine?''
"Once-by a gypsy woman. She said
1 was going to marry a widow" z
Patty moved quickly, and the tinge
of red spread over her brown cheek.
land know now she was lying"
"Why are you so sureT' Patty drew
up the golden knot she was tying with
a vicious little twist that snapped it.
Because do not choose that it shall
be true. You've wrecked your love
with that thread, Lady Patty. Try an
other"
Lady Patty" was the whimsical
title he had given her from the first.
She dropped all the golden snarl of
vine upon the ground and turned her
head away.
"Who did you Manner he asked.
Nobody won't tell. It's all a lie,
anyway" she said sharply, and, look
ing into her face, he saw she was press
ing her lips tight together to keep them
from quivering. He was puzzled.
Lady Patty, have said anything to
offend you?"
NO" She turned her head steadfast-
ly away. Let us go hOme.'
They went on slowly. John was
badgering his brain for a solution of
Pattys change of mood. 1t was as if
bright spring day suddenly became
overcast, with a furry of snow.
They came to the bars of u great
meadow. Far across it, on the slope
of the hill was the little village church
and back of it the peaceful Gods
acre." whose stones cleaned white in
the sunshine. Patty stood gazing at it
with solemn eyes.
"Have you any friends there?' John
asked reverently. Then she let her
eyes-soft, mysterious gray eyes, they
were-come back to his face as she an
swered simply:
MY husband"
Patty, dear, are you wild? Your
husband! Why, you are scarcely more
than a child. Are you not one of the
Beverly girls?'"
II am Walter Beverly's widow. You
may have heard the girls mention their
dead brother Walter. L am classed as
one of the Beverly girls and no one
thinks me of enough Importance to ex-
plain or even remember about it, but
am twenty-three and have been a
widow for four years. Please lower
the bars now and let us go home"
And then he remembered the fortune
teller-the widow
Patty, Lady Patty, wait" he cried.
81 never knew; 1 never dreamed it.
Nobody told me of it. 1 took it for
granted you were the youngest of the
Beverly sisters. Love, stop. l will
not let you go through the bars until
have told you. named Patty when
tied the love vine knot, and, see, it is
drawn tight. Who did you name?"
Lower the bars" she ordered i'm
periously.
''Not until you tell me, Lady Patty"