The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1911-06-22

Saius ana invitations. One by n she
Grew gu the envelopes and cards.
Ihere 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?
FATTY, Mrs. Haldene left her shop
mere yesterday afternoon. I
q forgotten 1t. Would you mind TAX
ing 1T over to her or shall / have the
maid do it?"
Il have nothing to do. mother. I can
take 1t 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
a to her head the bag slipped along
ner arm close to her nose. Instantly
ner ngure became tense and rigid, her
face grim and colcrless.
Hclfotrope!
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 Owe to Mrs.
tranklyn-Haldene; she would be very
glad to do her that trif1ing service oh!
Patty's age choked her. During the
past three weeks Mrs. Franklyn-
Haldene had called at least u dozen
times, doubtless to observe the effect of
her interest in Patty's welfare. She
might nave known! Well, this very
Franklyn- Haldene's lips where she had
secured her Information. She would
do more than that; she would make
her prove every word OF 1t.
SO Patty marched toward the
Haldene place; marched, because that
verb suggests something warlike, some
thing belligerent. And there was war
a-plenty in Patty's heart. Each step
n took sang out a sharp "Meddler-
gossip! meddler-gossip!" A delivery
morse went past, drumming an irritat-
ing "Busybodyl busybody! ausybody!"
what had she or hers ever done to
MRS. tranklyn-Haldene that she should
An anonymous letter! War ragged in
Pattyss heart; blu there was something
warmer and clearer coursing through
her ~vefns-hopei
rs Mrs. Haldene at honne?" PATTY
inquired.
Yes. Miss Patty
The maid led Patty into the library.
where Mrs. Franklin Haldene was
busily engaged in making up an lnyi-
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,
OIIlllOuSly CAIN.
it." ios'
Yes. It 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 helftorope-your favorite per-
fume."
Patty Bennington. are you mad?"
cried Mrs. Franklyn-Haldene. What
letter? What do you mean?" She
knew very well, but she had not prac-
tised the control Of the nerves ali these
years for nothing. "A letter? I demand
to see IT.
But Patty reconsidered and with
drew her hand, concluding that Mrs.
Franklyn-Haldene could destroy the
letter as easily as she had written 1t:
more easily, had Patty but known it.
Il prefer to read it to you" And
Patty read her tones sharp and pene-
trating, finely tempered by anger.
Il write such q thing az that? You
accuse me Of writing an anonymous
and if l did what was right l should ask
you to cave 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. Franklin Haldene made a
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 h 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 ave proved the truth
Of this letter" Patty declared.
Il 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. Observation-Disclosures voice
gathering.
Who told you that my brothers
wife was formerly
Stand aside!"
Il shall not leave this house or your
presence until o have answered" re-
piled the little paladin. You wrote
this letter to me, trusting it would
make me miserable. 1t has. But 7
ave not done what you expected
SHOWN IL. VINO told you this base lie?"
II refuse to answer"
There Is a way to force you. I viii,
know. Mrs. Haldene, 1 will know, IF
you refuse, l shall turn these two
sheets over to my brothers LAWYERS"
"A lawyer?" with an hysterical
laugh.
Il declare to you that that is ex-
actly what l shall do. You wrote this
letter; [ can prove that you wrote II.
What l demand to know is, who gave
you this information
Mrs. Franklyn-Haldene took her
stand boldly.
We'll. then, since you will have it.
Yes, l wrote that letter, for I could
longer stand the humiliation of
your sisterinlaw In decent
houses and that double ~nypocrite who
pretends to be your brothers friend
and your admirer. Proof? 1 was at
my hair dresser's one morning, when
a woman who is an intimate of Nc
Quade, the politician. came in. She
dropped a letter. McGuade had written
1t. 1t told definitely the information
have in your hand"
You have that letter?p
NO. l haven't. / read it and sent
1t to its owner. / consider myself very
/ always had my suspicious
IT was a relief to find that they
were not without foundation. You viii