Putnam patriot., 1910-12-30

I'm -eorry. Elizabeth said Ralph
CoyerE. that must 90, to Chicago
on business for the frm Ct Eabens. 4
CoverE."
Newer mind. Ralph Ny one week
has bean lovely. and shall. enjoy
Spending a quiet time with your
mother"
Mother will be. delighted to have
you with her constantly. An invalid's
days are dull enough But there Is
an eldeely aunt coming tomorrow. and
I'm afraid you'll not lind it very
amusing with just Aunt Agatha and
mother. Eve thought of q plan SO
that you might enjoy the program we
planned-and not miss any of the con-
eerts or art galleries or even he OPP
era"
What Is that dears Really. hall
of the anticipated pleasure was the
knowledge that We We're to be to-
geiher.s
Ralph hesitated. aud then. as If dis
MISSING StEfe III
his mind. he said quickly:
why. I've spoken to Fabens. He's
mighty clever chap and is better
versed In all the things you're inter
ested in than | am. fm such prac-
teal fellow. Elizabeth. Well. ! told
Fabens all the things I'd planned we
were to do the coming week and ask
ed him TO see that you didn't miss
any of the pleasures
Its very thoughtful of you. Ralph
The next morning when Elizabeth
wandered downstairs to a late break
fast she found the expected Aunt
Agatha established at the head of the
table. She was stern visaged lady
whose hair remained shining black
In defiance of threescore Years. She
wore gold spectacles with thick lenses.
which magnified her dark eyes with
startling results An ear trumpet dan
gled from ribbon over her shoulder.
much like a powderhorn at the back
Of hunter.
l say Elizabeth My niece has writ
ten of you. and I've seen your picture
IL you'll excuse my saying so, you're
not at all the sort of girl ! thought
Ralph would marry! He always pre-
ferred brunetses. like myself. Well.
men are tickle as the weather, It's too
bad Mary Is confined TO her room.
You will be very lonely" Miss Dale
paused to take breath.
Mrs. Coveriy will enjoy having
some one with her. She is SO much
alone except for the nurse" said Eii1r
abeth
II cant hear "a word You, say as
serted Miss Daieccalmly. at doesn't
matter. I can always guess what peo-
pie are talking about at table. You
probably remarked that you wouldn't
be lonely nj all during Ralph's alb
. sence. know Dick Fabens. my dear.
and a more fascinating man never
met Ralph is very foolish 80 leave
YOU In Dicks care. But. there. every
enc has his conscientious. and that lit.
stle dark beauty Ralph was so crazy
about last year lives in Chicago.
There. there, pen't get emotie.ai..
Elizabeth. angry .asd amused. watch
ed her and when she was alone fin
isheti her breakfast and retired 10 her
own room Later her brief morning
visit to sweet Mrs. .Ceverly brought
forth the fact that aanr Agatha had
arrived from her suburban home at an
early hour that morning She bad sur
.yeyed the house from sttic to cellar
and had interviewad the aurse aud the
servants with praiseworray results.
Mrs. Goyerly smiled inuulgently and
touched sElizabeth's serious face with
"a delicate forefnSer. 'sAant Agatha
is an angel at heart. Elizabeth. bat her
deafness has accumulated certain eddi-
ties in her manner. and she has adopt
ed freedom of speech that is some
times alarming. Don't forget. ilsshali
expect you TO come In for our game
IN chess every evening II yes don't
mind develing so much time ITO an old
woman"
Eiizabeth,s answer was to kiss the
Rand that caressed her. and the spezt
half hour was one OF delightful .tnfi-
mary With the mother of her prost-ee-
tive husband
Aunt Agatha al luncheon was rep
eti;ion OF Aunt Agatha at breakfast.
and Der deeply voiced m"1aiaeue left
the Girl With strange s"nse of desc
fatioa Fer the first time since her
enga s,e-aent 10 Ralph there erept into
her heart vague lisquiet as 90 his
rerfeei trvalfy Who was this dark
bahbiats
Two o'clock brought Dick Fatens
with tietefs for a matinee. ard. as
Aunt Acafha was too rheumatic 10
go fur Asiesd. Elizabeth Went alone win
Eais'','s sartHer During their brief
rice II IA csrriase Elizabeth learned
flsas - Fateus was feeling much
bette nd that the simrse prograla
IaIs = Tad laid onf Appealed 10 bis
csns : laa~ent body and mind as moth
Sn@ eze could
ise Fshens was fascinating Older
thar f.a.ah. ee was attractive by rea-
son - his contrasting gray hssr and
your h<ssi face He was strangely SYM
pxssefT 10 elizabeth. and she found
herseis .aaking 10 him fes ceahrmateu
sr - delight in each pleasure thai
car ~ tn the days that FOLLOWED
He DID noa dirt With heF. NJ did nof
maxi sure t. her He xas simply nat
urai and una6e~ted and by very rea-
scu oi Der eRforced solitude at The
Cossriy fsoue Elizabeth turned 70 bsg
for svn-~aialiiy sod pi-ssu-s darssg