The Parker post., 1912-10-19
THE TRUCK
PATCH
By JEANNE O. LOIZEAUX
Copyright, 1912, by Associated Litererv
PreSs)

pin the big, f1amboyant hat to her
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.
Its only me, Name. l won't eat
you'll"
81 told you not to hang about for
me-" she said.
Il don't hang about for any girl,
and you know it. | 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. "If you wanted real
man, one that had either good in
tentiOns, strength, or a prospect of a
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 if
he doesn't let you alone! 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 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 l can take good care of you.
You know | 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 want
to get married to hayseed and set
tie down on a truck patch?" She
was a little fierce, as she turned on
him. I've lad enough work and
commonness. | 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 hare 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 garden-truck you make
fun of has put money in the bank for
you to have everything you need on?
Do you know how independent it
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. l don't have to
And | haven't the morals that allow
a fellow to sport around and escape
responsibility You'd better think
little | want a wife-not any girl
but just you, to take care of all her
life, and l can make good on the
proposition. Say do you think cad
like Williams intends to marry you?
Do you?"
The girl turned pale.
That's not-your affair.""
Its my business to protect you,
whether you choose to marry me or
not, and I'll do 1t. 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 a hot little room
all evening. I'm going with-some
girls
$50 he can dance with you without
even the bother of taking you there?
I see. And, Name. do you think
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
moment 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, 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