The Lakeland evening telegram. (Lakeland, Fla.) 1911-1922, 1916-08-12
MOOn-BIind-|
ness
BY Martha Mccullech.Wlllisms
rieb.. 1911. BY Associated Literary Press

(copyrisht. 1911, by Associated Literary Press.l
"Marplot! Have / got to tie you?"
Mrs. Velvin demanded gleefully,
Ringing a length of ribbon about Ray
ner's arm. mo doubt you want to go
inside and talk to Patty. Content
yourself, sir, with me! Even me.
Patty is luxury. She wouldn't be
at all good for you. Not for your
career. And | have but just got her
and young Atherley well settled for
the evening. If he stays until II, l
shall know he has proposed
How shall yon know it?" Rayner
interrupted, smiling, yet not quite
easily.
Mrs. Velvin laughed softly. Patty
is a wise virgin" she said. "She never
sacrifices her beauty sleep for triflers.
o, no." as she caught Rayner's look
of annoyance. "She won't accept him
not on three days acquaintance
she will merely take him under con-
sideration. Trust my child for that!
/ have brought her up even more
beautifully than II she we're my very
own"
HIN! Are you six or two years
her elder?" Rayner demanded.
Again Mrs. Velvin laughed. LAS
though 1t mattered-the least bit,
she said. by Bible count | am -four
years ahead of my husbands neal
daughter. Spiritually I'm four cen
turies-but for me the child would
have grown absurdly sentimental"
Then wish she had had an
other stepmother," Rayner broke out
Still refuse to believe even you
much as she loves you, can make he
mercenary, cold and calculating
When she marries it will be man
not his money"
why not say a man and hi
money!" Mrs. Velvin asked archly
"You can't deny, Jealous as you are
that Atherley Is a good sort"
But not good enough for Patty
she-she deserves the very best,
Rayner began eagerly.
Meaning yourself?" Mrs. velvin il
terposed with a pretense of a yawI
Then she got up and half dragge
Rayner out into moonlit garden
rose-scented, vital with the spice
breath of pinks.
Listen to the words of wisdom,
she began. I'm your friend in this
even more than Patty's. You ar
frightfully ambitious-you have 8
much in you 1t Is no wonder. RI
member Kipling, He travels tastes
who travels alone With Patty you
be too happy-you'd let go ever.
thing but money-making-care fc
nothing but to keep her in cottol
wool. and give her jewels and ring
and all the fine things. Take m
word for 1t, you'll never be gre'
man without the spur of unhapr
pess."
stop mocking!" Rayner said, hotl
She went on as If he had not spo
en-. "As Patty's husband. you'd hay
ave years of bliss absolute Then
you'd remember-and regret You
see the men you know are your inf
riors going ahead, each in his way
and you standing still. You'd be so
and disconnected. And that won
make my girl miserable. SO let h
be. l won't have her miserable. s.
was made to be fed on the roses al
laid In the lilies of life"
Il don't believe 1t. Anyway I sh;
ask her." Rayner said more holly TIL
before. He stepped past Mrs. Velv
and onto the piazza they had quite
1t gave through long French windo'
upon the dim-lit parlor, where Atherl
sat basking in Patty's presence. RI
ner peered at them, grinding his tee
He had sought them full Of a mad 1
pulse-it died at sight of them
curely conventional-Patty at
piano, striking a minor chord now a
then; Atherley telling sprightly tai
of life in Paris.
He had spent a year there, maxi
believe to study philosophy. He h
come away not much wiser than
went-still he had certain 9
Further, his globe-trotting gave h
long advantage conversational
He had good eyes, and a cert
knack of seeing the humorous side
all things.
How could even a desperate 10y
burst in upon such a pair and