News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1914-03-11
CHAPTER XVI.


Patty. AS she started out past him
with crimson spot in each cheek Mr.
Pierce put his hand on her arm She
hesitated, and he closed the door on
Doctor Barnes and put his back
against it. l had just time to slip
back into the pantry and shut myself
in.
For minute there wasn't sound.
Then
81 told you | should come" Miss
Patty said, in her haughtiest man
ner. you need not trouble to be
disagreeable."
"Disagreeable!" he repeated. 81 am
abject!"
Il don't understand" she said. "But
you needn't explain. 1t really does
not matter"
ut matters to me. I had to do this
tonight. l promised you would make
good, and if l had let this pass
Don't you see, l couldn't let it co."
"You can let me go, now"
mot until l have justified myself
to you"
81 am not interested"
I heard him take a step or two
toward her.
81 don't quite believe that" he said
in low tone. you were interested
in what l said here this afternoon"
II didn't hear it."
'None of it?"
'Not-not ALL"
IL spoke, you remember, about your
sister, and about Dick" he paused.
l could imagine her staring at him in
her wide-eyed way.
"You never mentioned them!" she
said soornfuIly and stopped. He
laughed a low laugh, boyish and full
of triumph.
"Ah!" he said. $50 you did hear!
I'm going to say it again. anyhow.
love you, Patty. Fm-I'm mad for
you. I've loved you hopelessly for so
long that tonight, when there's a ray
of hope, Im-I'm hardly sane. +"
"Please!" she said.
81 love you so much that I waken
at night just to say your name, over
and over, and when dawn comes
through the windows"
you don't know what you are say.
ing!" she said wildly. 81 am-still-"
Il welcome the daylight;" he went
on, talking very fast, because it
means another day when l can see
you. If it sounds foolish, it's-it's
really lots worse than it sounds,
Patty"
The door opened just then, and
Doctor Barnes voice spoke from the
step.
81 say" he complained, you
needn't"
Get out!" Mr.. Pierce said angrily,
and the door slammed. The seconds
interruption gave him time, l think,
to see how far he'd gone, and his
voice, when he spoke again, was not
so hopeful.
I'm not pleading my cause" he
said humbly, 81 know / haven't any
cause. have nothing to offer YOU"
You said this afternoon" Miss
Patty said softly, that you could Of
fer me the-the kind of love that a
woman could be proud Of"
She firA.hed off with a sort of gasp,
as if she was shocked at herself
They were standing facing each
other, he all flushed and eager and
my dear Miss Patty pale and trembly.
But she wasn't shy. She was looking
straight into his eyes and her blessed
lips were quivering.
How can you cGre?" she asked,
when he only stood and looked at
her. I've been such as-such self
ish beastl"
"Hushl" He leaned toward her, and
/ held my breath You are every
thing that is best in the world. and
what can l offer you? l have MOTH
ing, not even this sanatoriumI No
money, no title"
"Oh, thati" she interrupted, and
stood waiting. "Well, you-you could
at least offer yourselfl"
"Pattyl"
She went right over to him and
put her hands on his shoulders.
And il you won't" she said, III
offer myself insteadi"
His arms went around her like
flash at that, and be kissed her.
Then WifhOut RELEASING bor ba