News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1913-12-10

on his way upstairs, and he was. as
gloomy as he had been cheerful before
WELL" l said, 81 guess you won't
put a dancing floor in the dining-room
just yet, Mr.. Thoburn."
Pm not in hurry" he snapped
"It's only January, and l don't want
the place until May. I'll get it wher
I'm ready for it. / had a good look
at young Carter, and he's got toe
square jaw to run successful neu
rasthenics' home"
l went to the pantry shelf at ter
o'clock and fixed tray of supper fol
Mr.. Pierce. / found some chicken and
got a bottle of the old doctors wine
/ had kept the key of his wine-cellal
since he died-and carried the tray uI
to Mr. Pierces sitting-room. He haG
the old Doctors suite.
The door was open an inch or SO
and as l was about to knock | heart
a girls voice. 1t was Miss Patty!
"How can you deny it?" she was
saying angrily. 81 dare say you will,
even deny that you ever saw this let
ter before!"
There was minutes pause while J
suppose he looked at the letter.
81 never did" he said solemnly.
Perhaps" said Miss Patty, "yor
also deny that you were in Ohio the
day before yesterday"
81 was in Ohio, but I positively as
sert-"
"Mr. Carter, I have asked my ques
ltion twice now and l am waiting fol
an answer"
But | don't know the ansWer!" he
said miserably. "I-I assure you, In
absolutely in the dark. | don't know
what's in the letter. l haven't always
done what l should, dare say, but
my conduct in the state of Ohio during
the last few weeks has been without
stain-unless I've forgotten-but if il
had been anything very heinous, II
remember, don't you think?"
Somebody crossed the room, and
paper rustled.
Read that!" said Miss Patty's voice
And then silence for minute.
Good Lord" exclaimed Mr.. Pierce
"Do you deny that?"
Absolutely" he said firmly. "I-l
have never even heard of the Rever
end Dwight tombstone"
"And that is all you will say?" de
manded Miss Patty scornfully. You
don't know there's a mistake;' you
never saw the letter beforen Oh, il |
were only mani"
"I'll tell you what We'll do" Mr. |
Pierce said, with something like hope
in his voice. well send for Mr.. Van
Alstyne! That's the thing, of course
I'll send for-er-Jim."
Mr.. Van Alstyne's name is Sam, but
nobody noticed.
"Mr. Van Alstyne!" repeated Miss
Patty in a dazed way.
guessed it was about time to make
a diversion, so | knocked and walked |
In with the tray, and they glared al
me.
1--WE brought your supper, Mr.. Car
ter" / began. Then l stopped and
stared. "Oh," l said.
THANK you," said Mr.. Pierce, very
Just put it down any
where"
l stalked across the room and put
t on the table. Then l turned. I'm
sorry" said, "but it's one of the rules
If this house that guests don't come
% these rooms. They're strictly pri
rate. 1t isn't my rule, but if you will
'tep down to the parlor-"
Mr.. Pierce took a quick step toward
Mss Patty and looked down at her.
"About-what happened downstairs
o-night," he stammered, with the I'M
lappiest face l ever saw on man,
1--we been ready to knock my fool
lead off ever since. 1t was a mistake
a.
my letter, please" said Miss Patty,
ooking back at him without blink.
please don't look like that!" he
egged. Il came in suddenly out of
he darkness. and you"
my letter, pleased" she said again,
aising her eyebrows.
He gave up trying then. He held
ut the letter and she took it and went
ut with her head up and scorn In
he very way she trailed her skirt
yer the door-sill. But I'm no fool; 1t
idnt need the way he touched the
oor-knob where she had been hold
lg it, when he closed the door after :
er, to tell me what allied him. He
-as crazy about her from the minute
e saw her, and he hadn't change of
men or a cent to his name. And she,
s you might say, on the ragged edge
{ royalty, with queens and princes
ending her stomachers and tiaras UNI