Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1909-09-14

element lent to her cheeks when she
came in TO the Sunday dinner red
ness that was increased by the warmth
of the day.
This Sunday meal was a dinner to
conjure with. The boarders ate and
praised, and Mrs. Murdoch was just
leaning back in her chair when the
husband of the lady who wore the red
tea gown burst upon the scene.
He went straight up to Mrs. Muir
doch and Numbered, What have you
been saying about me to my wife?"
Mrs. Murdoch turned pale Never
before had her sins of gossip been
brought home to her. Nothing" she
stammered.
You have told enough to make her
unhappy. to make her accuse meme.
What right had your
Mrs. Murdoch took refuge in the ex-
cuse of the weak well, / was told
"Who told you?" His black eyes
swept the board.
The eyes of the six spinsters met his
serenely. Not from them had come the
first telling of the tale.
But Patricia flushed, as the innocent
win at times with the memory of for
mer sins upon them. The flush caught
Mrs. Murdoch's desperate eye.
1T seems to me that heard it from
Miss Patricia" she murmured.
"Ohv' Patricia gasped, but before
she could say more the professor was
on his feet
81 think you must take that back,
Mrs. Murdoch" His voice was stern.
miss Patricia is incapable Of such a
thing. l think every one here win
agree to that"
WELL" Mrs. Murdoch evaded, you
know she told me about Mary Morris
engagement"
Because you wormed It out of her,
and she was too truthful to be able to
evade''-the professors tones cut like
shetland I am sure that If this gen
tleman will investigate the stories he
has heard he will find that your source
house, but that within the tale has
been spread by you, and you alone.
"And now" he proceeded, 81 would
suggest that you apologize to Miss
Patricia at once or l shall feel COM
PEELED to give you notice, and l am
sure that others viii follow. One can
not afford to live where one is likely
to be held up in this way"
Mrs. Murdoch's eyes glanced warily
about the table, saw that popular
opinion was with the professor and
surrendered
"Oh, of course" she said, 81 was
mistaken. 1t wasn't Miss Patricia"
THANK you," the professor said
gravely, land now, as we have only
our coffee to forego, would suggest
that your boarders withdraw while
you satisfy this gentleman as to the
source of your information"
He stalked out at the head of a long
line, consisting Of Mary Morris and
Williston and the six spinsters and,
at the very end, Patricia.
When they reached the hall there
was a little hubbub of comment and
of laughter, under cover of which the
professor said to Patricia, I'D have
knocked her down il she had been
man."
Patricia's eyes were shining. "Oh,"
she said. how good you were to de-
fend me before all those people"
ut wasn't entirely unselfsh," the
professor admitted. II hoped | might
win forgiveness"
And Patricia accorded it, and they
went for a walk together in the beauty
of the autumn twilight, and when
they came back they were engaged.
Il am going to tell everybody" the
professor declared.
Patricia's eyes flashed their delight
but her lips were mutinous.
"Tattle-tae!' she leased and ran from
him, laughing, to the shelter of her
room.