The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1914-01-30
caaeNpIozy Nela 50 sSssssaasSsLI CO.

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 1t was about time to make
diversion, so | knocked and walked
in with the tray, and they glared at
me-
1--WE brought your supper. Mr.. Car
ter" | began Then / stopped and
stared. "Oh,' said.
THANK you," said Mr.. Pierce, very
uncomfortable. "Just put 1t down any
where"
| stalked across the room and put
1t on the table. Then 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. 1t 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 I'M
happiest face ever saw on q man,
1--we been ready to knock my fool
head off ever since. 1t was mistake
a"
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; 1t
/ didn't need the way he touched the
door-knob where she had been hold
i 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 a 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
cat may look at king. !,
He went over to the fireplace, where
was putting his coffee to keep il
hot, and looked down at me.
1--WE suspicion, Minnie," he said
that, to use vulgar expression, I've
bitten off more than l 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?"
She's got younger sister of that
name," | 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. 1T seems
that l met her on the train somewhere
or other the day before yesterday, and
ran off with her and married her!"
l sat back on the rug speeches.
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 "in at ten O'Clock
and up at seven" part of the wicked's
family that has all the trouble and
does the worrying.
IF we could only keep it hidden fol
few days!" l said. But, of course
the papers will get it, and just now
with columns every day about Miss
Patty's clothes"
Her what?"
And all the princes of the blooc
sending presents, and the king not ia
voring 1t very much"
What are you talking about?"
About Miss Jennings wedding
Don't you read the newspaper"
He hadn't really known who she wa.
up to that minute. He put down th,
tray and got up.
Il hadn't connected her with tn,
the newspaper, Miss jennings" h,
said, and lighted cigarette over th,
lamp. Something in his face startled
me, must say.
You're not going to give up now p
| asked. | got up and put my hand OF
his arm, and think he was shaking
IF you do. I'll-I'll go out and drowl
myself, head down, in the spring"
He had been going to run away
saw 1t then-but he put a hand owe
mine. Then he looked at the doc
where Miss Patty had gone out an,
, gave himself shake.
J I'll stay" he i'd. wen fight
t out on this line if it takes all summer
! Minnie. After all, what's blue bloc,
I to good red blood?"
t Which was almost what the bisho
had said!
a Mr.. Moody took indigestion tina
night-not but that he always had Il
}. out this was worse--and Mrs, Mood
came to my room about two o'cloc
}. ana Knocked at the door.
You'd better come" she sal,
i There's no doctor. and he's awfr
r bad" 80
we went down to Mr.. Moody's room
3 and no was sitting up in bed with nj
u knees drawn up to his chin and n no
u water bottle held to him.