Fulton County tribune. (Wauseon, Ohio) 1883-1925, 1913-11-21
20oNpI0HV No1a 81 SessassTsL &C

Pierce said, with something like hope
in his voice. 'fWell send for Mr.. Van
Alstynei That's the thing, of course.
I'll send for-er-Jim."
Mr.. Van Alstyne's name is Sam, but
noticed
"Mr. Van Alstyne!" repeated Miss
Patty in a dazed way.
l guessed it was about time to make
a diversion, so 1 knocked and walked
in with the tray. and they glared at
me.
I've brought your supper, Er. Car
ter" l began. Then l stopped and
stared. "Oh," 1 said.
Thank you," said Mr.. Pierce, very
uncomfortable. Just put it down any
where"
I stalked across the room and put
it on the table Then l turned. 'I'm
sorry" said, 'but it's one of the rules
of this house that guests don't come
to these rooms. They're strictly pri-
vate. It isn't my rule, but if you will
step down to the parlor-"
Mr.. Pierce took quick step toward
Miss Patty and looked down at her.
"About-what happened downstairs
tonight" he stammered, with the un-
happiest iace l ever saw on a man,
1--we been ready to knock my fool
head off ever since. 1t was a mistake
-a-o
my letter, please" said Miss Patty,
looking back at him without blink.
please don't look like that!" he
begged. 81 came in suddenly out Of
the darkness, and you"
My letter, pleased" she said again,
raising her eyebrows.
He gave up trying then. He held
out the letter and she took it and went
out with her head up and scorn in
the very way she trailed her skirt
over the door-sill. But I'm no fool; it
didn't need the way he touched the
door-knob where she had been hold
ing it, when he closed the door after
her, to tell me what allied him. He
was crazy about her from the minute
he saw her, and he hadn't change of
linen or cent to his name. And she,
as you might say, on the ragged edge
of royalty, with queens and princes
sending her stomachers and tiaras un-
til she'd hardly need clothes. Well,
a cat may look at king.
He went over to the fireplace, where
II was putting his coffee to keep it
hot, and looked down at me.
I've suspicion. Minnie" he said,
"that, to use a vulgar expression, I've
bitten OF more than / can chew in
this little undertaking, and that I'm
in imminent danger of choking to
death. Do you know anybody, friend
of Miss-er-Jennings, named Doro.
thy" il.
'sShe's got a younger sister Of that
name," I said, with sort OF chill
going over me. "She's In boarding
school now"
"Oh, no, she's not!" he remarked,
picking up the coffee-pot. "It seems
that met her on the train somewhere
or other the day before yesterday, and
ran off with her and married her!"
I sat back on the rug speechless.
Don't tell me the way of the wicked is
hard; the wicked get all the fun there
is out of life, and as far as can see
it's the respectable Gin at ten O'Clock
and up at seven" part of the wickeds
family that has all the trouble and
does the worrying.
"If we could only keep it hidden fol-
a few days!" / said "But, OF course
the papers will get 1t, and just now
with columns every day about Miss
Patty's clothes"
Her what?"
"And all the princes of the blood
sending presents, and the king not IA
voring it very much"
What are you talking about?"
about Miss Jennings wedding
Don't you read the newspaper"
He hadn't really known who she was
up to that minute. He put down the
tray and got up.
TT hadn't connected her with the
the newspaper, Miss Jennings" he
said, and lighted cigarette over the
lamp. Something in his face startled
me, must say.
You're not going to give up now p
1 asked. got up and put my hand OF
his arm, and I think he was shaking
"If you do, I'll-I'n go out and drown
myself, head down, in the spring"
He had been going to run away
saw 1t then-but he put hand ovel
mine. Then he looked at the dool
where Miss Patty had gone out an6
gave himself a shake.
sI'll stay" he said. "We1I fight il
out on this line if it takes all summer
Minnie After all, what's blue blood
to good red blood?"
Which was almost what the bishop
had said!
Mr. Moody took indigestion thai
night-not but that he always had it
but this was worse-and Mrs. Moody
came to my room about two O'Clock
and knocked at the door.
You'd better come" she said
There's no doctor, and he's awfu
| bad"
We went down to Mr. Moody's room
and he was sitting up in bed with hi:
knees drawn up to his chin and hot
| water bottle held to him.
Look at your work, woman" ht
said to me when 1 opened the door
"I'm dying!"
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