Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1910-03-09
ctOuS nod and a smile.

What did it mean? Had she not been
In that tremulous condition, love, when
every shadow is a demon? She would
probably have thought that there was
no meaning to it whatever. AS it was.
she considered it in the light of an in.
suit from both John and Pattie.
That evening John called. She re-
ceived him graciously and chatted with
him as if nothing had happened, but
before he left told him that their en-
gagement was thing of the past. All
this required great self control. but
that self control she possessed.
The three weeks that followed found
her still living up to the hobby. If she
was bit whittier and thinner the spir-
ituelle effect was becoming, therefore
welcome. There could be tonic and a
change Of air should the scrawny
stage threaten. Pending that time her
maid one morning announced. Miss
Roane"
Lower the shades a triae, Lisette,' -
said Neil and glanced into bel: mirror
"Draw that stand of lilacs nearer. so.
MISS ROane may come up.
'How sensible you always are!' said
Pattie, making at once for an easy
chair. "Here have l for three weeks
been afflicted with a conscience, and
you-you look as if you never had
one"
''Three weeks?' smiling. 1T is a
long time to carry anything heavy"
"Well." with look half meek. halt
mischievous, II have brought the bur.
den to you"
ITO me? thought conscience was
like a railroad pass-always labeled
mot transferable
II only want it doctored''
! "But that is a very trite idea. is it
not?'
'What mean is not trite," said Pat
from the stand and gently brushed her
face with them. Keen eye shots could
piece such a hedge undetected. "Trite
exploits are either easy or necessary"
III you mean it is hard to do any
thing original"-
but l do not. l mean this is origi-
nal because too hard to be often un-
dertaken."
"Yet it is only little conscience to
be doctored."
There are things to tell you,"
gravely. because we are friends"
"Present tense?'
eyes," lowering the hedge to give a
steady look.
Every WE'LL" with smile that held
some sarcasm lurking beneath it; tell
on"
"That day after you told me of your
engagement to John Brent l saw his
dogcart before Ransom's, and / hap
pened in, don't you know, and said
something about such a royal day for
driving and smiled up at him my very
best smile. 1t was a bit of mischief.
knew you would be cool over the
matter and wake his resentment"
"'Behold how great a fire a little
spark kindleth,' said unruffied Neil.
II asked him to drive this way, and
he laughed. We meant only to tease
you little-nothing serious
"NoY
mot them" bending her face into
the lilacs.
SWELL" coldly, "he is now free"
An eye shot passed over the hedge.
KNOWING how that drive came
about, you are still too proud to recall
him?'
Neil settled herself more cozily
among the cushions of her divan and
gave her prettiest low laugh. "Is thy
servant dog?'" she said.
But he would come" said Pattie
gently.
''There is better way to come"
"And If he does not choose IT."
II am content. sang Neil sweetly.
"Then if he's Free" said Pattie. we'll
behind the flower hedge, II ought to
let you understand" hesitatingly,
''that-that''-
ooh. certainly" said Neil mockingly.
leach one for herself"
J. II should not have put it in just that
WAY" Battle went on: with a bali