The Madison journal., 1914-02-14

early In the morning were still there,
mine of to one side alone, and the
others close together and side by side.
Miss Patty did not say much. She
was holding her chin high and look
ing rather angry and determined.
They were both asleep in the shell
ter-house. He was propped up against
the wall on a box, with the rubber
carriage robe around him, and she was
lying by the fire. with Mrs. Moody's
shawl over her and her muff under
her head. Miss Patty stood in the
doorway for an instant. Then she
walked over and, leaning down. shook
her sister by the arm.
Dorothy" she said. Wake up.
you wretched child" And shook her
again.
Mrs Dicky groaned and yawned, and
opened her eyes one at time. But
when she saw it was Miss Patty she
sat up at once, looking dazed and
frightened.
You needn't pinch me, Pat!" she
said, and at that Mr.. Dick wakened
and jumped up, with the carriage
robe still around him. For heavens
sake. Pat, don't cry. I'm not dead.
Dick, this is my sister, Patricia"
Miss Pat looked at him, but she
didn't bow. She gave him one look.
from his head to his heels.
Dolly. how could you!" she said,
and got up.
1t wasn't comfortable for Mr.. Dick.
but he took it much better than
expected. He went over and gave his
wife hand to help her up, and still
holding hers, he turned to Miss Patty.
"you are perfectly right" he said,
Il don't see how she could myself The
more you know Of me the more you'll
wonder. But she did; we're up against
that"
He grinned at Miss Patty, and after
a minute Miss Patty smiled back. But
1t wasn't much of smile. Suddenly
and threw her arms around her.
"Ycu darling!" she cried. I'm so
glad to see you again-Pat, you'll tell
father, won't you? He'll take 1t from
you. II tell him he'll have apoplexy
or something"
But Miss Patty set her pretty mouth
both those girls have their fathers
mouth-and held her sister out at
arms length and looked at her.
Listen" she said. do you know
what you have done to me? Do you
know that when father knows this he's
going to annul the marriage or have
Mr.. Carter arrested for kidnapping or
abduction ?-whatever 1t is" Mrs
Dick puckered her face to cry. and Mr.
Dick took a step forward. but Miss
Patty waved him off. You know ia
ther as well as | do, Dolly. You know
what he is, and lately he's been aw-
full"
He can't annul it," said MIR. Dick
angrily. I'm of age. And | can sup
port my wife, too, or will be able
soon"
"Dolly's not of age" said Miss Patty
wearily. I've sat up all night figur-
ing it os.. He's going to annul the
marriage. or he'll make scandal any
how, and that's just as bad Dolly
she turned to her sister imploringly-
Dolly, l can't have s, .dal now.
You know how Oskar's people have
taken this, anyhow; they've given In
because he insisted, but they don't
want me. and if there's lot of noto-
riety now the emperor will send him
to Africa or some place, and"
If you really want me to be happy"
Miss Patty finished, going over to her,
you'll 60 back to school until the
wedding is over"
Il won't leave Dicky" She swung
around and gave Mr.. Dick an adoring
glance. and Miss Patty looked dis
couraged.
Take him with you," she said.
Isn't there some place near where he
could stay. and telephone you now and
then?"
"Telephone!" said Mrs. Dick scorn-
fully.
Cant leave" Mr.. Dick objected.
Got to be on the property. Look
here. Miss-Miss Patricia, why can't
we stay here, where we are? It's worry
comfortable-that is, it's
They've got somebody to taA my
place in the house"
And father needn't know a thing
you can fix that" broke in Mrs. Dick.
And after your wedding he will be in
better humor; he'll know it's over
and not up to him any more"
Miss Patty sat down on the soap
box.
I'VE might carry 1t off," she said
III l could only go back to town. But
father is in one OF his tantrums. and
he won't go. or let me go. The ideal
with Aunt Honoria on the long-dis-
tance wire every day, having hyster.
les, and my clothes waiting to be tried
on and everything. I'm desperate"
l put the eggs on a platter and
poured the coffee, and we all sat
around the soap box and ate.
Everybody felt better for the meal
and we were sitting there laughing
and talking and very cheerful when
Mr.. Van Alstyne opened the door and
looked in. His face was stern. but
when he saw US. with Miss Patty on
her knees toasting a piece of bread
and Mr.. Dicky passing the tin basin
as q finger-bowl, he stopped scowling
and looked amused