The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1910-01-05
II you mean 1t i hard to do any

Yet IL il only little conscience to
be doctored
There are things to tell you.s
gravely. because we are friends"
Present tense?'
yes. lowering the hedge to give q
steady look
Every we'll" with a smile that held
some sarcasm lurking beneath 1t; ''tell
| on"
'That day after you told me Of your
engagement to John Brent I saw his
dogcart before Ransom's, and l 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 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 unruf1led Neil
81 asked him to drive this way, and
he laughed We meant only to tease
you little-nothing serious"
'sNog'
mot then" bending her face into
the Hlacs.
ssWell.' coldly. 'hes is now free"
An eye shot passed over the hedge
ssKnowing 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. lis thy
servant dogY" she said
But he would come" said Pattie
gently.
'aThere is a better way to come"
"And if he does not choose it,"
81 am content" sang Neil sweetly.
'tThen if he's Free" said Pattie, well
behind the flower hedge, II ought to
let you understand hesitatingly,
t'that-that''-
.'Oh. certainly" said Neil mockingly.
''each one for herself
II should not have put it in just that
way Pattie went on, with a half
nervous little laugh, "but i shall not
avoid him or be at my worst with
him.
1T is woman's business" dryly,
ito charm. especially to charm one
man"
eff he is the right one," faltered Pat
tie Roane
'.True. Yet the wrong one is often
entertaining and easier"
"And you do not carer asked Pattie
as she took up and put the flowers
back in the vase. But you'll believe,
won't you. that meant no wrong, that
/ did not know what would conner
"You have not finished your story"
said Neil. with sudden sharpness.
"What has come to him-what has
conner
| IF you would be sorry, think"
! very low, s'that he would be happy"
Otherwise in time" breathlessly.
Perhaps he may think Of me-" said
Pattie and turned away her face.
She was going silently to the door
when Neil, white as her lilacs. came to
the Intel.
you have been honest" she said
chokingly. so i will tell you. cannot
bear it." with a sob, Il cannot!'
Pattie flushed. do you want me to
go away out Of his reach?' she asked
with voice that trembled and with
lowered eyes.
mo, but will write and ask him
alas for the hobby, tears came task
him to forgive me-"
Il will wait and post the letter,
Pattie slowly and went back to her
chair.
He may be angry still. you know"
Neil said wistfully when the note was
written and her guest on the stair,
but there was no answer.
Pattie hurried out to the corner mail
box and, having dropped the note in
side. came around the turn of the
street face to face with John Brent.
Il have been attending to some of
your business she said, with happy
laugh.
"Thanl you. 1t could not be in bet
ter hands, am sure said John
Il think so myself" radiantly
could you pick a lock or a corner
post boX?"
We'll, not without some training,
think"
Then the best thing for you to do is
to go on to NeiPs. Say the proper
thing, you know rapidly. Say that
you are a wreck from misery and can
not bear it any longer"
"But''-
THAT handsome Englishman has
been sending more flowers, exquisite
white lilacs. If / were you they should
go out of a back window"
But
*She will be delighted that you came
before the note reached you, but do
not hint that you know about it,
about whatY'
'9The note, the note, the notev
"Pick a corner post box" said John
dazedly, but with a slight dawning IN
his eye Neil has written me a
note?"
"Oh, the sloWness of mans mindr'
cried Pattie. Are you going to stand
here after all nv brilliant nl0t while