Putnam patriot., 1909-04-09


 ions and smoked contemplative ciga- rette. abstraetedly watching through half closed eyes the stream of traffic whlrling past
 He was a good natured. indolent locking young man. one of the kind who very evidently enjoyed being at ease. Yet iu the dark eyes was a cer- tain light of determination. certain hint Of latent power that made one quite inclined to forgive his apparent laziness-
 suddenly the young man sat erect. He leaned far forward, peering intent. lY al a figure on the crowded side walk. lie watched it steadfastiy for moment. while hls indelenee fell from him like useless cloak. and his eyes opened wider and wider.
 Imnatiently he licked the cigarette te the pavement and stood up to open the trap above his head.
 ~Hfr be called to the cabby. "I say. there, pull ID to the curb and set he down. will you? And be quick about ii'
 I.he hanson swerved sharply and drew up at the curb. The young man scrambled out. quite fergetful of his usual slow dignity in his haste. He thrust up bill to the eabby. and with cut waiting for his change he went briskly up the avenue in pursuit of the figure lie had just seen.
 He eIbowed his way along. now side stepping some group which blocked his headlong progress. now all but breaking into a run ill his eagerness. Ahead of him he caught heeting elimpses of large hat with blue feather that seemed to serve as nec- essary incentive to his hurrying steps. When he had almost reached it the blue feather turned a corner into quiet side street. and the young man in bot pursuit followed after.
 Here the sidewalks, being less crowd ed. gave him better opportunity for speed In a moment he had oyertaken the blue feather and touched it's wear CT lightly on the arm.
 She turned. and her eyes rested on him with a sudden eager light in them. Ted" cried the girl happily. 'Ted. of all the people in the worldw
 You have led me frightful chase. Patty. he panted. with mock severity. .I?s she laughed "How?'
 "I was in hanson on the avenue. and 1 saw you passing" he explained T pulled up and gave chase afoot."
 What are you doing here?' she de- handed. although her eyes told plainly that she knew very well the answer to her question. And why are you here, anyway? Surely you are not up here with horses this time of year. l didn't suppose there was any power on earth that could drag a Northcroft from Vir- ginia at this season"
 A little clipping from morning pa per early in the week is responsible for my appearance" said he. Tt stated that you and your mother had just returned from abroad"
 "Oh. reallyr, she mocked. T suppose should feel vastly aattered to be able to bring you up here. Think of it! The wild turkey shooting must be something wonderful now. to say noth- ing of the Redfelds hunt. They're rid ins just now, of course"
 Yes, they're riding" said he. But somehow it's pretty tame sport when you're not along. Patty.
 She looked at him suddenly. and a faint red crept into her cheeks. "Oh. pshaw,' she laughed You Virginians certainly know how to pay compli- ments. don't you?'
 She said it lightly enough, but her voice was not altogether steady. The young mans sudden and unlocked for appearance seemed to have discon- certed her somewhat.
 We Vsrginians." he repeated thought fully Then you don't count yourself one of us any longer, Patty?" Well. fear I'm q bit weaned from the old place." she confessed You see since father died and we came back here to live with my mother's people I've been made to feel that l, or part of me at least, belongs up here. Father was the yirginian, you knows
 The young man stiffened. You've ehanged. Patty" he said natly and with something like disappointment in his voice. You used to say that you were Nirginian to the backbone-that There was 10 place on earth like 1t"
 That was before I had seen the rther places." said she
 T see" said he. with a certain odd Fenstraint, "of course"
 Bit by bit he drew out of her an ac- bun. of her travels and experiences turing the past three years He lis ened thoughtfully. but with clouding )rows.
 "0f course" he observed at length you'd find 1t all very dull back there he old life wouldn't appeal 10 you pw. There'd be no fun for you to go lrkey shooting. as you used to do, or
 ride to the hounds down the valley hd over to Ciark's.
 You wouldn't care about Tim Fair fld's geldings, nor would you be won ring where in the country we could
 d hunter that could top six raii
 nee and make decent landing"
 '0 his surprise. look almost of
 a cane into the gErf's eyes She
 z eeF ger hand to stop him.
 oea't,. she said Don't. l can't
 f
 eftsiersff eauaht his breath sharp
 --h. What's shiSs- De cried.
 4er tlasd by this unexpected turn
 asaas.
 e leek1d at her more closely He
 Tat ter eyes were moist She