Putnam patriot., 1912-03-01
Watch Our a. Byron D. Bug b Watch Our Show Window.


Bless your heart, Tommy" saio the old lady. wiping her eyes with tn, corner of her apron. T am so glad so glad for you"
 Thanks. Aunt Polly. but riches dc me little good now" he returned little bitterly.
 The old lady looked at Tom keen. ly. If you don't mind me mention ing it, Tom. have been doing lit tie thinking lately. since you talked of finding coal May suggest a lit tie plan? You used to take my advice"
 Fire away. auntie. that's what | came for"
 Well, 1t is this way. l hate to see a fine girl like Rose Marshall throw herself away on that southern dude and ruin her life at the same time Her heart is in the right place, but her head has been turned by Pres cotts attentions and his house. Now that you have some money"
 Money" he interrupted inpatient ly. If you mean that Rose will mar ry me now that am rich"
 Hush, Tom!" she said softly Now listen to me Rose is not to know a word about your good luck Neither is anyone in town to know 1t for little while. This is my plan"
 Tom left a half hour later thinking what a wonder Aunt Polly vas and with a determined set to bis lips bod ing good or Ill for someone.
 One day. week or 60 before the wedding. Rose stopped in to see Eric st his once.
 I've come to ask about the window seat in the dining room. Erie" she ex- plainsd after he had kissed her "I do not want 1t vanished. Did you tell Simmonsf
 Erie looked uncomfortable for . minute. then walked to the window and looked over at the house. Do you like the place so well. RoseY"
 'l love 1t. Why?"
 "I have just sold it."
 You what?"
 Sold it."
 That house! Our housel Mine, Sold itl"
 Yea
 Rose sank into chair. white and shaking Please explain"
 He turned quickly. T had too good an offer to refuse. A firm in the city offered me ten thousand for it and wanted an immediate answer. You were in Foxburg yesterday and could not wait to ask you So l wired Yes You didn't care so much as that for the house. did youg We can put up another"
 She rose unsteadiiy, the tears start ing to her eyes T must think it all over. Erie. l am & little upset. Good by"
 Alone in her room. Rose began to think as she had not done Tor months. The sale of the house. his wedding gift to her. had given her sudden jolt But after all house is cniy q house. her common sense kept telling her. She must do nothing Tor which she would be gerry. But some thing was wrOng with her. All her feeling for Eric seemed dead. Surely his thoushtiessness could not Kill real love 50 easily. Rose eat and thought 1t all out Then she realized for the first time that her feeling for the southerner was not love at all
 She cried herself to sleep that night thinking of Tom. "Oh. what have doneg' she moaned- T have spoiled his iafs and mine. but l would rather live in cave with him than in pal ace with Erie"
 In the morning she awoke clear headed and courageous. Before she dressed she wrote two notes. one 10 Erie breaking the engagement and very short one to Tom. merely asking him 10 come to see her as she had something 10 explain
 Tom went to Roses house. He had not been surprised to get the note
 Rose. trying 10 look matter-offact and dignified mss hin st the door.