The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1914-02-16
Wli7IHs FOR PATTY
BY T. .. EATON.

n
passably good looking had a splendid
income quite outside his pay. and was
q lieutenant. junior grade. in the
navy.
Orders had come detaehing him
from duty al the yard and instruct
ing him TO join the comorant for sea
duty
He stood on the steps OF the ad-
mirars hopse-the admiral was com
mandant of the navy yard-a scowl
on his face and a heart within him
like several tons OF lead Evelyn How
land. the admiral's daughter. had Just
refused him again, and tomorrow he
would be al sea for he knew not how
many years. The Comorant was head
ed for the Philippines
Still scowling, he began 70 walk
down the path. A syringa bush on
the little lawn was In full bloom.
Behind the syringa bush sounded a
childish voice singing a popular song.
II ceased as ne moved down the path,
and Patty Howland. with all the I'm
pulsiyeness 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
iy going away tomorrow
Tonight, Patty" said he. smiling
down at her. we sail tomorrow"
And you've just been up TO see
Evelyn"
He NODDED
And she turned you down again."
That's not a nice way Of putting
II" be chided mildly.
Well, did she?" 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
seryice?"
lie 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.
"Why2" he asked.
oh. well. for one thing Just be-
cause. and for another because you
are so awfully awfully handsome in
uniform"
That last is the best reason, Pat
ty." he laughed Just for that /
won't leave the service"
Well, don't Promise me you
won't"
Il promise"
He stopped She lifted her pretty.
childish face and kissed him resound-
insly. not once. but over and over.
Then he went on down the path, the
incident forgotten. He was scowling
again and his heart was sore within
him. Evelyn Howland, had, indeed.
intimated this last afternoon that II
he would leave the service she would
marry him.
The next day he sailed on the Co
morant And il was very depressed
Taps Scudder that cruised about the
Philippines.
He wrote Evelyn often-it seemed
to be his only solace, that and wait
ing impatiently for the letters from
her They were all OF the same gen
eral trend. Why did he stay in the
service, especially when he had plenty
of money? He couldn't really care
very much for her II he wouldn't leave
the service for her sake.
Taps read those letters and bit his
lips and paced the hot deck, and six
years went past In this way.
Then he was ordered home. and the
waters did not foam and hiss half
loudly enough beneath the homeward
prov to suit him.
Evelyn was still heart-free, II be
could believe her letters, and in few
weeks now he would see her.
During his absence Rear Admiral
Howland had reached the age limit
and been retired lie now lived in
an imposing house in an exclusive
suburb near the navy yard
No sooner was be landed than Taps
Scudder headed thither II was a
splendid place. with spacious grounds
and a lotg. low rambling house set
among Lombardy poplars.
Taps stood at the wide gates admir-
Ing it. The carriage which had
brought him thither was rattling back
toward the little suburban station.
4 motor car came whirring into the
driveway A horn honked its strident |
lie turned about. There
was a CRY from the car: instantly IT
stopped.
"Oh. Taps. Taps. dear. I'm SO glad
10 see y0u-so. so gladi"
He looked at her dazedly. lie could /
not realize tne change in her that I
six years had wrought. Could this be
he little spindle-shanked girl he had
eft behind the syringa bush at the
1avy yard He muttered in bewil-
iered fashion
Patty. For goodness sake
Rattyi"
You've grown handsome. Taps.
he declared. Why. you're awlully I
distinguished looking-not so boyish
Il you were. Aren't you glad You
STAYED In the service7"
You bet I am. II get my reward
o. il. said he.
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