The citizen., 1915-07-15

Patty"
IL don't know; look at Aunt Abby
Cole" said Patty pensively. well, Il
does not seem as II marriage that
isn't good In Rlverboro was really de.
cent. How tiresome Of Maine TO want
all those days Of public notice; people
must so often want to get married In
a minute. II I think about anything
too long ! always get out OF the no
ton"
II know you do That's what I'm
afraid Of" And Marks voice showed
decided nervousness. You won't get
out of the notion Of marrying me. will
you. Patty dearT"
Marrying you Is more than a no
tion,' Mark" said Patty soberly. I'm
only little past seventeen, but I'm
far older because OF the difficulties
| I've had. don't wonder you speak Of
my notions was as light as
feather I'm all my dealings with you at
| first"
$50 was with you. hadn't grown
up. Patty"
Then l came 20 know you better
and see how you sympathized with
Waitstilrs troubles and mine
couldn't love anybody: couldn't mar
ry anybody who didn't feel that things
at our house can't go on as they are.
Father has had a good long trial.
Three wives and two daughters have
done their best to live with him and
failed. am not willing to die for
him, as my mother did, nor have Wait
still killed IL | can help It, Some
times he Is like n man who has lost his
senses, and sometimes he Is only grim
and quiet and cruel II he takes our
marriage without terrible scene,
Mark. perhaps II will encourage Wait
still TO break her chains as l have
mine"
There's sure to be an awful row."
Mark said as one who had forecasted
all the probabilities. 1T wouldn't
make any difference IL you married
the Prince of Wales; nothing would
suit your father but selecting the man
and making all the arrangements, and
then he would never choose any one
who wouldn't tend the store and work
on the farm for him without wages"
"Waitstill will never run away. She
isn't like me. She will sit and sit
there. shaving and suffering. till dooms-
day. for the one that loves her isn't
free like you"
"You mean Ivory Boynton? I be
ieve he worships the ground she walks
IN. like him better than I used and
understand him better. oh, but I'm
lucky young dog to have kind. lib
eral father and a bit of money put by
to do with as | choose. II | hadn't
I'd be eating my heart out Ike Ivory"
"No. you wouldn't eat your heart out.
You'd always get what you wanted
somehow, and you wouldn't wait for 1t
either. and I'm just the same. I'm not
built for giving up and enduring and
sacrificing. I'm naturally just a tuft
of thistledown. Mark. but. living be-
side Waitstill all these years. I've
grown ashamed TO be SO light. blowing
about hither and thither. Oh. II only
she will forgive us. Mark. won't mind
what father says or does"
"She will forgive Us. Patty, darling.
Don't fret and cry and make your pret-
~ eyes all red I'll do nothing in all
this to make either Of you girls asham-
I'd OF me-"
Does the town clerk or does the
Justice OF the peace give wedding
ding just like the minister?" Patty ask
I'd. II shouldn't feel married without
4 ring"
THE ring Is all ready and has NJ.
W. to =. b. engraved in It, with the
olare for the date waiting. and here Is
'bs engagement ring II vou'll wear 1t
wnen you're alone, Patty. My mother
gave 1t to me when she thought there
would be something between Annabsl
Franklin and me. The moment l look
ed at it-you see, it's a topaz Sone-
and noticed the yellow fire In 1t. said
TO myself, 1t Is like no one but Patty
Baxter, and II she won't wear 1t no
other girl shallv It's the color Of the
tip ends of your curls. and it's just like
the light in your eyes when you're
making fun"
Its heavenlyr' cried Patty. "It
looks as II 1t had been made of the
yellow autumn leaves, and, oh, how i
love the sparkle OF IL! But never will
l take your N mother's ring or wear 1t,
Mark, till I've proved myself her low
ing. dutiful daughter. I'll do the one
wrong thing Of running away with you
and concealing our marriage, but not
another II can help It."
every WELL" sighed Mark, replacing
the ring In his pocket with a rather
crestfallen air. But the first thing
you know you'll be too good for me.
Patty. You used to be regular will
wisp-all nonsense and fun, for
ever laughing and teasing. so that
fellow could never be sure OF you for
two minutes together"
"It's all there underneath" said Pat
ty. putting her hand on his arm and
turning her wistful face TO his. ut
will come again. The girl In me Isn't
dead. She isn't even asleep, but she's
! all sobered down. She can't laugh
| inst now she can only smile and the