Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1917-10-27
M nnnHnnNHnn r.m)
sSTORY MINUS PLOT.
n BY LOUISE OLIVER. n
w r,mnnm ann m n n - W

W - - - = p - - - - - Nv
It was half-past ten on a dreamy,
longuorous. moonlight night In mid
summer, a night on which hearts in
stinctiveIy seek mate and llnger long
ingly.
Berthe Patton on the Fords' front
porch, swinging slowly In the green
willow seat, shifted uneaslly when he
heard the town clock strike the half
hour. He knew that the lights In the
parlor chandelier now altering through
the finely webbed curtains and tracing
a graceful pattern on Roses round
cheek would snap out in somewhat less
than five minutes. Ten-thirty was
Papa Ford's hour. Never had Rose
looked so adorable, never had parting
seemed cruel. Berthe sighed.
swell, Rosie. guess I'll have to so.
Time seems awfully short"
"what time are you talking aboutr
"Why, the time I've been here this
evening, OF course"
"0hi I'm glad you've enjoyed It."
swell. haven't your
"M-yes. It's been very pleasant"
. PLEASANT You talk as though
you'd been at sewing society"
. "say. Berthe, If you're trying to pick
fight you may as well 60. I hear
papa, anyway"
BERTHE was instantly contrite. ''Ex-
cuse me. didn't mean It. Rose"
There was step in the vestibule.
But It was Roses, mother this time
who called.
Rose, your papa went out with the
Reinemans In their new car and hasn't
come home yet. My head isn't any
better. 80 I think I'll go to bed. I
wonder II Bert would mind staying
little longer. I sort Of hate to close
up the house till papa comes. I don't
think he'll be late"
Oh, ecstasy Oh, blessed words
BERTHE longed to kiss the hem of her
gown. He cleared his throat man
fully.
"Yes, I'll stay. Mrs. Ford. Don't
you worry"
And Rose supplemented: you may
as well turn out the lights, mamma.
They seem to hurt my eyes,"
The lights went or and there was
quiet, ecstatic peace.
Bert wondered II he could possibly
be awake, To test reality, he lighted
q cigarette.
'Nice, isn't itr' he remarked.
aWhat?"
"Just to be here" He had thought
Of casually, quite accidentally, laying
a hand on hers as It lay beside him In
the darkness, but he lost courage.
"Say, Rose, do you want to go to
the Stepamore club picnic?" he sup
.plemented instead.
"Tm going"
Excuse me-"
"That's all right. Thanks for ask
ing me anyway"
IT thought there was plenty Of time
two weeks"
II promised week ago."
II hadn't an idea there were so
many worshipers at your shrine"
"rhat's not polite. Besides there
aren't so many dozen that you can't
count. I'm going with the same per-
son to both, II that's what you're dying
to find out"
"That-that Dixon. I'll bet a jit-
ney~
"Don't call him that Dixon He's
been awfully nice to me-"
why, he's old-too old for you.
Rose"
she isn't--he just looks dlstin-
guished, and you're-you're Jealous"
Distinguished Good night Just
because he's mustached like a Magyar
and wears glasses and lives In New
York"
Bert Patton, you're horridl think
I'd better go In and look after mamma,
anyway. Good night"
He caught her hand In both Of his.
aRose, Rosie, dear. don't go. Sit down.
won't you'll" He pulled her gently to-
ward him. She yielded finally and sat
down. He slipped an arm boldly
around her.
sRosie. dear. love your
"Why, Bert Pattonr'
"Yes. I do. Rose. I adore you. Clear
erazy about you. You don't care about
thai New York fellow, do youf"
II don't know. Papa seems to like
him. That's what he's here for. Papa
wanted somebody reliable for good
place he has open, and Mr.. Dixon came
to see shout It,"
LUCKY dogl" sighed BERTHE.