Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1914-04-09
WAITING FOR PATTY
y I. .. EAron.

income quite outside his pay, and was
lieutenant. junior grade. in the
navy.
Orders had come detachlng him
from duty at the yard and instruct
ing him to Join the Comorant for sea
duty.
He stood on the nteps Of the ad
miralss houae-the admiral was com
mandant Of the navy yard--a scowl
on HIS face and heart within him
like several tons of lead. Evelyn How
land. the admiraIs daughter, had JUST
refused him again, and tomorrow be
would be at sea for he knew not how
many years The Comorant was head
ed for the Philippines.
Still scowllng, he began 70 walk
down the path A syringa bush on
The little lawn was In full bloom
Behind the syringa bush sounded
childish voice singing popular song.
II ceased as he moved down the path,
and Patty Rowland, with all the inn
pulsiveness OF dozen years coupled
with very strong likes and dislikes.
sped from behind the bush and threw
herself into Taps scudder's arms.
"Oh, Taps" she cried, are you real
~ going away tomorrow"
Tonight. Patty" said he, smiling
down at her. I'VE sail tomorrow"
And you've Just been up to see
Evelyn
He NODDED.
And she turned ron down again ?"
That's not nice way Of putting
It." he chided mildly,
well, did she7s she persisted. you
needn't answer. Taps. see II IN
that scowl Of yours. And you look
hurt and angry. too. Did she say
she'd marry you II you'd leave the
servicegs
He smiled rather wanly,
You're not going tor
I'm sailing tomorrow on the Co
morant, . said he.
Well. don't you leave the service.
Taps-not for Evelyn nor anybody
else" she said.
'Why?" he asked.
oh. well, for one thing Just be-
cause. and for another because you
are 80 awfuliy. awfuiiy handsome 10
d uniform"
"Thas last is the baat reason. Pat.
"" he laughed Just for that ]
won't leave the service"
We'll, don't Promise mo you
won't"
7 promise
He stopped. She lifted her pretty,
childish face and kissed him resound
ingly. not once. but over and over.
Then be went on down the path. the
incident forgotten. He was scowlinR
again and bis heart waa sore within
him. Evelyn Rowland. had. indeed,
intimated this last afternoon that II
he would leave the service nhe would
marry him.
The next day he sailed On the Co
morant. And II was very depressed
Taps scudder that cruised about the
Philippines.
He wrote Evelyn ofseu-it seemed
TO be his only polace. that and walt
Ing irupatisntly for the letters from
her They were All of the same gen
erai trend. Why aid he stay IN the
service. especially when be had plenty
Of money! He couldn's really caro-
very much for her II he wouldn't leave
the service for her sake.
Taps read those letters and bit bis
lips and paced tho hot deck, and six
years vent past IN this way.
Then he was ordered home, and the
waters did not foam and hssA half
loudly enough beneath the homeward
pointing prov 10 suit him
Evelyn was atiii heart-free. n he
could believe her letters. aud In few
weeks now he would rec her.
During his absence Rear Admiral
Rowland had reached the age limit
and been retired. He now lived IN
an imposing house Ia an exclusive
suburb near the navy yard
No sooner was be landed than Taps
Scudder headed thither II was a
aplendid place. with spacious grounds
and long, low rambling house set
among Lombardy poplars.
Taps stood at the wide gates admir-
ing It. The carriage which had
brought him thither was rafting back
toward the little suburban station.
motor car came whirTins into the
driveway. A horn honked its strldent
warning. He turned about. There
was cry from the car; instantly Il
stopped.
"oh. Taps, Taps. dear. I'm 30 glad
10 see you--so, no glad"
He looked at her daxediy. He could
not realize the change ia her that
nix years had wrought Could this be
the little Hpindie-shanked girl he had
left behind the syringa bush al the
navy yard9 He muttered ia Devil
dered fashion;
Patty For goodness sake
Pattyft
You've grown handsome. Taps.
she declared. Why. you're awfully
distinguished looking mot 30 boyiah
as you we're. Aren't you glad you
stayed In the seryice7"
lyon bet am, II get my reward
for H." said he
What was that7'' said she.
Do have TO AJAX your said he,
No Frankly, You don't abe de-
clared I've remembered 1t every day
and every hour since you left. But
didn't suppose you had
Aud you haven't changed a bit
about your ideas of the aervice2" he
asked nj last.
Why should | when you look so
perfectly splendid in a uniform.
Tnps?" she asked.
sHHaszHN4aManAaznn eaA@ssaNsse~e-@e
- :.