Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1911-12-06
MOOn-Blind-
ness
Copyright. 1911. by Associated Literary Press,
By Martha Observation-Disclosures


Mrs. Velvin demanded gleefully,
finging length of ribbon about Ray
ner's arm. mo doubt you want to go
inside and talk to Patty Content
yourself sir, with me! Even me!
Patty is luxury. She wouldn't be
at all good for you. Not for your
career. And l have but just got her
and young Atherley well settled for
the evening. If he stays until II. l
shall know he has proposed"
How shall you know it," Rayner
interrupted. smiling, yet not quite
easily
Mrs. Velvin laughed softly Patty
is wise virgin" she said "She never
sacrifices her beauty sleep for triflers.
0, no." as she caught Rayner's look
Of annoyance. "She won't accept him
not on three days acquaintance
she will merely take him under con-
sideration. Trust my child for that!
have brought her up even more
beautifully than if she were my very
own"
HIN! Are you six or two years
her elder?" Rayner demanded
Again Mrs. Velvin laughed. GAS
though it mattered-the least bit"
she said ''By Bible count | am four
years ahead of my husbands near
daughter. Spiritually I'm four cen
turies-but for me the child would
have grown absurdly sentimental"
THEM wish she had had an
other stepmother," Rayner broke out
Still refuse to believe even you,
much as she loves you, can make her
mercenary, cold and calculating
When she marries it will be a man.
not his money"
''Why not say man and his
: money!" Mrs, Velvin asked archly.
''You can't deny, jealous as you are.
that Atherley is a good sort"
, ''But not good enough for Patty
she-she deserves the very best"
Rayner began eagerly.
Meaning yourself?" Mrs. Velvin in
= terposed with pretense of yawn.
!. Then she got UP and half dragged
|. Rayner out into moonlit garden,
rose-scented, vital with the spice
breath of pinks.
= Listen to the words of wisdom"
she began I'm your friend in this
p even more than Patty's. You are
{ frightfully ambitious have so
much in you it is no wonder. Re,
member Kipling, He travels fastest
who travels alone With Patty you'd
: be too happy-you'd let go every
thing but money-making-care for
t nothing but to keep her in cotton
: wool, and give her jewels and rings
r and all the fine things. Take my
word for it, you'll never be a great
. man without the spur Of unhappi
ress"
stop mocking!" Rayner said, hotly
II She went on as if he had not spok
en-. CAS- Patty's husband, you'd have
e five years of bliss absolute. Then
j. you'd remember-and regret You't
It see the men you know are your lnfe
r riors going ahead each in his way
and you standing still. You'd be SOU
2 and disconnected And that woult
$ make my girl miserable. So let he
be. l won't have her miserable. Sh
,e was made to be fed on the roses an
" laid in the lilies of life"
81 don't believe it. Anyway l shal
# ask her." Rayner said more holly tina
!. before. He stepped past Mrs. Velvi
% and onto the piazza they had quilted
~ It gave through long French window
t. upon the dim-lit parlor, where Atherle
N sat basking in Patty's presence. Ra.
=, ner peered at them, grinding his teetl
th He had sought them full of a mad in
pulse-it died at sight of them s.
- curely conventional-Patty at til
piano, striking a minor chord now an
r. then; Atherley telling sprightly tale
< of life in Paris
en- He had spent year there, maxim
G. believe to study philosophy. He ha
or come away not much wiser than h
lis went-still he had certain al
Further, his globe-trotting gave hi
=. a long advantage conversational
~ He had good eyes, and certai
w knack of seeing the humorous side
all things.
=; How could even a desperate love
ct burst in upon such a pair and d
Ie. mand that the girl take instal
choice? Rayner had been courtir
Patty steadfastly for six months. f
y' had never got around to proposing
- by i'll luck he had thought-now
rb began to realize it was by will
Mrs. Velvin. Atherley was palpab
'~ hit-still he was not a declared suite
~, Convention may shackle even bur
as ing jealousy-Rayner merely called
as gay good night through the wiado'
shot past it, mounted and gallope
headlong away.
AS the thudding hoofs grew fainte
ny Patty got up and walked to the wi
dow, straining her eyeS through Il
tl,, moonlight, yet seeing nothing. Su
denly she shivered. 81 wish Bill
= were not riding Daredevil tonight
Ter she said. "He is gentle as a dog /
- daylight-but moonshine sets hi
\