Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1911-06-30

NN~ A1N As@a 49, I~N
the usual edge IN her appetite.
From the table she went directly to
the Indian basket that held all the
cards and invitations. One by one she
drew out the envelopes and cards.
There was a 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
plng-bag here yesterday afternoon. i
had forgotten it. Would you mind TAX
ing 1t over to her or shall / have the
maid do it?"
Il have nothing to do, mother. 1 can
take II over just as well as not" said
Patty listlessly.
She slipped her arms through the
handles Of the bag and proceeded into
the hall for a 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 colcrless.
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.
Franklyn-Haldene; she would be very
glad to do her that triding service. Oh!
i"itS . AoSC SilOhSu HSI. DuIllB 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.
Franklyn-Ealdene's lips where she had
secured her information. She would
do more than that; she would make
her prove every word OF II.
SO Patty marched toward the
Haldene place; marched, because thai
verb suggests something warlike, some
thing beliigerent. And there was wan
a-plenty in Patty's heart. Each step
she took sang out a sharp "Meddler-
gossip meddler-gossip!" A delivery
horse went past, drumming an irritat-
Ing ~"Busybody! busybodyl ~busybody!"
What had she or hers ever done to.
Mrs. Franklyn-H aldene that she should
stoop to so base a means OF attack?
An anonymous letter! War ragged in
Patty's heart; but there was something
warmer n 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. Franklyn~F1aldene was
busily engaged in making up an invi-
tation list.
why Patty, I am glad to see YOU"
she cried, dropping her pen and rising.
You left your shopping bag when
you called yesterday" said Patty,
o~minously calm.
ut 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. Hallennih pafty'Q yniNa u-aa
high pitched and quavering.
"Why Patty!"
why did you write this base letter
10 ifei"exhi5tt:Gs the letter ~resclutely.
DO not deny that you wrote it. 1t
smells Of helitorope-your favorite per-
fume."
Patty Bennington, are you mad?"
cried Mrs. Observation-Disclosures. 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.
neutrality-suspicious. could destroy the
letter as easily as she had written It;
more easily, had Patty but known 1t.
Il prefer to read 1t to you" And
Patty read her tones sharp and pene-
trating, finely tempered by anger.
II write uch q thing as that? You
accuse me of writing an anonymous
letter of that caliber? You are mad,
and If I did what was right / should ask
you to cav this house instantly"
Patty was not overcome. An idea bold,
and not prescriptions, shot into her
head. She stepped toward the desk;
then, in a flash she ceased one OF the
sheets of note paper that lay scattered
about. Mrs. Franklyn Haldene made q
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 q horrible woman" said
Patty.
Leave this house Instantly"
Not till you nave 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 nc breeding? ?" the storm
in Mrs. FRANKLIN Haldene's voice |
gathering.
wife was formerly
stand aside!"
II shall not leave this house or your |
presence until you have answered" re-
piled the little paladip. You wrote
this letter to me, trusting it would
make me miserable. 1t has. But i
have not done what you expected
shown It. Who told you this base lie ?'
IT refuse to answer"
There is a way to force you. 1 will
know, Mrs. Haldene, I will know. II
you refuse, / shall turn these two
sheets over to my brothers lawyers"
"A lawyer" with an hysterical
laugh.
II declare to you that that Is ex-
actly what / shall do. You wrote this
letter; I "a prove that you wrote 1t.
What I demand to know is, who gave
you this information"
Mrs. Franklyn-Haldene took her
stand boldly.
Wen, then, since you will have II.
Yes, ] wrote that letter, for 1 could
no longer stand the humiliation OF
meeting you sisterinlaw In decent
houses n that double hypocrite who
pretends TO be your brothers friend
n your admirer. Proof? I was at
hair dresser's one morning. when
a m who is an intimate Of Nc