The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-06-22
HALF "A ROGUE
BY HAROLD MAC GRATH
Author The and Masks. Etc
Co.. Indianapolis
BY HAROLD MAC GRATH

change of clothes for breakfast. She
ate little, however; the ride had not put
the usual edge on her appetite.
From the table she went directly to
the Indian basket that held all the
cards and invitations. One by one she
There was permanent scent of sweet
grass. She discovered nothing; she
realized that her discovering anything
depended solely upon hazard.
Later her mother found her dream
ing In the window seat.
Patty, Mrs. Haldene left her shop
ping bag here yesterday afternoon.
mad forgotten it. Would you mind TAX
Ing 1t over to her or shall I have the
maid do it?'
Il have nothing to do, mother. 1 can
take IT over just as well as not" said
Patty listlessly.
She slipped her arms through the
the hall for hat. AS She lifted the
hat to her head the bag slipped along
her arm close to her nose. Instantly
her figure became tense and rigid, her
face grim and colorless
Hcliotrope!
There could be no doubt at all. The
perfume on the letter and that on the
shopping bag were identical. Indeed,
she would take the bag over to Mrs
FRANKLIN Haldene; she would be very
gao to do her that trifling service Oh!
Patty's rage choked her. During the
past three weeks Mrs. Franklyn-
Haldene had called at least a dozen
times, doubtless to observe the effect of
her interest in Patty's welfare She
might have known! Well, this very
morning she would ascertain from Mrs
FRANKLIN Haldenes lips where she had
secured her information. She would
do more than that; she would make
her prove every word OF It,
so Patty marched toward the
Haldene place; marched, because that
verb suggests something warlike some
thing belligerent. And there was war
a-pienty In Patty's heart. Each step
she took sang out sharp "Meddler-
gossip! meddler-gossip!" A delivery
horse went past, drumming an irritat-
Ing "Busybody! busybody! busybody!"
What had she or hers evsr done to
Mrs. FRANKLIN Haldene tina she should
stoop to so base means OF attack?
An anonymous letter! War ragged in
Patty's heart; but there was something
warmer and clearer coursing through
her veins-hope!
rs Mrs. Haldene at homer" Patty
inquired.
Yes. Miss Patty"
The maid led Patty into the library.
where Mrs. FRANKLIN Haldene was
busily engaged in making up an invi-
why, Patty. am glad to see you"
she cried, dropping her pen and rising
you called yesterday" said Patty,
ominously calm.
1T was very careless Of me to forget
It."
Yes, 1t was" Patty assented.
THANK you"
Patty passed the bag to her enemy
How to begin, how TO begin!
Mrs. Haldene!" Patty's voice was
high pitched and quavering
why, Patty!"
why did you write this base letter
to me! exhibiting the letter resolutely
do not deny that you wrote it, It
smells Of helitorope-your favorite per-
fume."
Patty Bennington, are you med?"
cried Mrs. Franklin Haldene. What
letter? What do you mean?" She
knew very well, but she had not prac-
tised the control Of the nerves all these
years for nothing. "A letter? 1 demand
to see It,"
But Patty reconsidered and with
drew her hand, concluding that Mrs.
FRANKLIN Haldene could destroy the
letter as easily as she had written it
more easily, had Patty but known it.
II prefer to read 1t to you" And
Patty read her tones sharp and pene-
trating, finely tempered by anger.
II write such a thing as that? You
accuse me of writing an anonymous
letter Of that caliber? You are mad,
and X did what was right 1 should ask
you to leave this house instantly"
Patty was not overcome. An idea bold.
and not over-scrupulous, shot into her
head. She stepped toward the desk;
then. in a fash she ceased one of the
sheets OF note paper that lay scattered
about. Mrs. Franklin Haldene made
desperate effort to intercept Patty; but
Patty was young, slender and agile.
She ran quickly to the nearest win
dow and compared the written sheet
with the blank. The paper and grain
were the same, only one showed that
the top had been cut off.
"You are a horrible woman" said
Patty.
Leave this house instantly"
mot till you have proved the truth
Of this letter." Patty declared.
II refuse to submit to such gross
insults in my own housed" Mrs. Frank
lyn- Haldene swept toward the door.
Patty stepped in front Of her.
Have you no breeding?" the storm
in Mrs. Franklyn-Haldene's voice
gathering
"Who told you that my brothers
wife was formerly"
Stand aside!"
IT shall not leave this house or your
presence until you have answered. re-
Piled the little paladin. You wrote
this letter to me. trusting it would
make me miserable. 1t has. But /
have not done what you expected
shown It, Who told you this base lie?"
II refuse to answer"
There Is way to force you. I will
know, Mrs. Haldene, I will know. If
you refuse, / shall turn these two
sheets over to my brothers lawyers"
"A lawyer" with an hysterical
laugh.
IT declare to you that that is ex-
actly what shall do. You wrote this !
letter; I can prove that you wrote It, |
What / demand to know is, who gave
you this information
Mrs. Franklyn-H aldene took her
stand boldly.
"Well, then, since you will have it.
Yes, I wrote that letter, for ! could
no longer stand the humiliation OF
meeting your sisterinlaw In decent |
houses and that double hypocrite who |
pretends to be your brothers friend |
and your admirer. Proof? / was at
my hair dresser's one morning, when |
a woman who is an intimate OF Nc
Quade, the politician. lame in. She
dropped letter. McCuade had written |
il. 1t told definitely the information |