Putnam patriot., 1909-04-23
White
 Violets

By VIRGINIA BLAIR.
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Then every one knows hF
 Every one but you. my dear Oyer st The Country club t is common talk"
 But. Aunt clara" yehemently, .'thev gossip 70 at tbe hotel"
 ''ThIs isn't eossip. I've known if for long time Margaret"
 .'oh'-fhe sigh was alraest sob 'he has always seemed such gentle. man. !"
 "fIc has tle traiuiag of oue.' Mrs. Kent affirmed "IIis mother is charm ings
 Afyr II moments silence Margaret broke eut. "f,Ht he saved my life. Aunt Giara !"
 There Was ras1le of skirts as Mrs Kent mated siaiieaay 10 her chair .Yes. aila tha9'a ihe see#t ef t z
 Mfs. geal eaaed the longer silence thai followed bs rinelag fr lights.
 ..SO nos Margaret protested. 'I ike 1t better with just ibe iire''
 sTai must 70. dear and dress for dinner ead gea aiil Dc sp drearg alone in lhe dark
 As ste rese and stood by inc couch her earesslae faeefs touched Marga fet's cheek and found fraTs on II
 You'd hetfef hase the lights" sbe said. and ,here was I worried note in her voice T bate to lease you here alone
 eOb ! ehali Dc nil rlghts Margaret said "f.l ile here in the dark and pot ToefileAin~ +
 stiH protesting. Mrs Kent found har why oat. nnd after time fn the big room there came fbe sound of Il efitfed H5h md aueiher and another. and after that everything WHs sers quiet. The famc ef the fire died down The green cYea ef the little cat. anuegted elese la hef mistress. gloNed in fbe Blaekness.
 The eiisk of an electric button and the anreap of lignfs brought Marga ret.s head ent of the cushion where she had buried f She shielded her face with her hand
 "Yon are earls. rncle DIek.s
 Pm laIe What's the matter with tue lIghfs7 Why didn't you get some body tu look after themf'
 ''I like the dark
 "Qneer taste" He gave her keen glance and sal down In the chair by the couch. silow's the footr
 Ut hurts s little. but it's going to be all right"
 Everybody at the club is talking about your accident They are making regular hero If f,idgewny" He set tied himself hack fin the big chair and smiled at her eeniaily He must have had the strength of Hercules h hold those horses back
 He's awfuily strong" Margaret said and hat nr. "ilis college record fn athletics is tlne
 .sfle funted In some of his studies, though Mr Kent tsased.
 Marfarets face tiamed T know She smoothtl fhe little cat with nery ous fingers "ls-ls ho sefy III, Uncle DickY
 "Who= Ridgrwsyf Im~ well that derends He's mighty ulve fellow. Pehgy." He caught the cagerness of her eyes and pulled himself up That iss-oh. welt yonr Auni Clara wouldn't exactly approve of hlm. and and l don't know that he's lust The friend for you. Margaret.
 .otls' came in tiutterlne protest and after that Mafgarel lay wlth her eyes closed. and nothing was sald for sos eral minutes,
 Tired llitle gflf' asked her uncle Anally. and when she nodded he stood sap T must go and dress for dinner He hesiinted by the couch. looking down at her aatil she opened her eyes | and held out ber hand and said, Dear | Uncle Dick" and then he patted her | cheek and saIt little huskils. Cheer up" This time there was no friendly | darkness io hide the tears. so Marga | ref dabhed at them with her handker chief and stared nnti ring If the front door he,i brought her to an up right position
 1 "It's Mir Riageway.s the maid an nounred
 .im fraid can't see him" Marga. set ss nervausly .riesse." beoussd T biz voice from 4he Aall- please dent turn me out like that
 .,)i, well Mafearet agreed. and the maid piae. between lhe curtains was asafpsSi hy young nan as hig as hts selee. whe came ever and lii ked up xhe pussy cat and dropped small square box In It's place, If you'il let me ret rooa,eklits I'll let you have some flowers" he said. and as he sat down the little cat euried into the hel low of his arm and sang her song of gsutentment, uurnifled hy the change. ! There were white violets in the box. and Rs'rcway said. hts his voice saf tened ny somc fins emotion, They al ways make use thsuk If you ~sOh. don't. don't" Margaret said s,fsh quick caught breath. and Ridge vay stared st her in a puzzled way {. .Don1 you like ,hemy he asked. .yee"
 well. It's funny way to show |. :" rhere was so much If the boy in hitn shas Margsre, snaiied in spite of her seis
 ..It.s hsx sase like them So well that | | don't want you to bring them 10 me any ssere." ssYou dan'f--- sl mean IT.. she said falntly. .you l mustn bring me any uaore flowers
 "Nny not*' sharply @BecauSe I can't take them" .why cant you take themY"
 @fsgem use"-
 s1bal isn't any reasen." be iane n.at s.IAn N.nn t.taaE ILat Nna .lNl