The Richmond climax. (Richmond, Ky.) 1897-1914, 1912-06-05
THE TRUCK
PATCH
By JEANNE o. L0IzEAUx
(copyright, 1912. by Associated I1tsrarT
Press)

PreSs.l
As the six o'clock stream OF shop
girls came from the side entrance OF
the big store, Mamie let it carry heI
along She lifted her thin hands &c
pin the big, flamboyant hat to heI
tously fair hair Her thin shoulders
stopped a little. and she walked with
the WEAKNESS Of the first enervat
ingly hot days of spring. 1t was
Saturday night, and she was wonder
ing if she could afford a really salts
flying supper.
A big, Drowned, awkward young
fellow came up from behind and fell
into step with her. She started nerv.
ously, and some girls behind her gig
gled.
IT'S only me. Name. I won't eat
you'll"
q told you not to hang about for
me-" she said.
Il don't hang about for any girl.
and you know it. l purposely got
here just in time to catch you. When
are you going to marry me?"
Never, and you know it. I've said
it often enough" She gave a back
ward glance and saw that the other
girls had fallen behind Williams.
the floor manager. was with Flossie
Peters. Mamie despised Flossie.
rs it that little counter-jumper
that's worrying your" asked the man
beside her. eff you wanted a real
man, one that had either good in
tentions, strength, or a prospect OF s
home to give you. I'd let you go. But
I'll take Williams by the back Of the
neck and drown him like a kitten II
he doesn't let you alonel can't
even tell you what sort he is. You'd
be fool enough not to believe me-"
They still kept on her way home. and
now turned up quieter side street.
Young Graves was silent a moment
Look here, Mamie. Two years
I've known you, and watched you get
thin and pale at starvation wages
and work you admit you hate. You
know | can take good care Of you.
You know l think a lot Of you.
never wanted to marry any other
girl. ! would make it easy for you
I've always had an idea that you
could-love me, if you would let
yourself. Tell me why you won't
It's only fair"
She shrugged her shoulders. still
evasive.
We've got to hurry. I'm going
out tonight. Do you think l want
to get married to a hayseed and set
tie down on a truck patch?" She
was a little fierce, as she turned on
him. I've had enough work and
commences. l want some fun. Why
don't you dress like other fellows?
You're all right-but the girls make
fun of me about you. She paused
and he gave a hard little laugh.
so that's it, Say. have you seen
my truck patch? You never will go
out there! Do you know I've a
house. paid for, and a pretty place.
and that the ga-den-truck you make
fun Of has put money in the bank for
you to have everything you need on?
Do you know how Independent 1t
makes me? I'm my own boss, not
likely to have my head cut off by
the first manager that doesn't like
the looks of me. don't have to
dress and smoke up all my wages.
And I haven't the morals that allow
a fellow to sport around and escape
responsibility. You'd better think a
little. l want a wife--not any girl
but just you, to take care Of all her
life, and 1 can make good on the
Say, do you think a cad
like Williams intends to marry you?
Do your"
The girl turned pale.
That's not-your affair"
Its my business to protect you,
you choose to marry me or
not, and I'll do it. Are you going to
that cheap dance hall again tonight
with Williams?"
She shook her head.
I've got to dance and have some
fun. can't sit in hot little room
all evening. I'm going with-some
girls"
so he can dance with you without
even the bother of taking you there?
/ see. And, Name, do you think l
wouldn't have spruced up If that's all
you wanted? Did you? What time
do you start?"
Eight" she said, at the door Of
her boarding house. He stopped a
and looked at her. Then he
said goodnight abruptly and walked
swiftly to the first car going down
town. The stores were still open and
his bank book was in his pocket. He
would have to hurry and go without
supper, but he did not mind that.
At eight Robert Graves was waiting
on the little stuffy boarding house
porch. He was shaved and dressed
from neck to toes in new and very
good clothes, a bit awkward, but
broad-shouldered, square-jawed. his
dark eyes alight. almost angry.
Mamie, unsuspecting. came down
after her unappetizing, insufficient
meal and hasty toilet, pathetically
pretty in her tawdry, too extreme
pink dress. 1t cast a little color on
her pale face. She started, dropping
a cloak from her arm.
I'm going to take you to the
dance" he said. I'VE can take the
other girls. too, If you IKE"
She stared in establishment, and a
sort of pride in him rose in spite of
herself.
'You have your-nerve!" AS she
spoke the slang made her ashamed.
Can you dancer" Her contempt
made him vince.
Il can do a lot of things. hut I'm
.F ASK YOII HF RI