Grainger County news. (Rutledge, Tenn.) 1917-current, 1917-09-20
N6 AaAAAh nh ~ AA AmS
sSTORY MINUS PLOT
N BY LOUISE OLIVER. m
BY LOUISE OLIVER.


IL was half-past ten on a dreamy,
dangerous, moonlight night In mid
summer, night on which hearts In
stinetively seek a mate and linger long.
ingly.
BERTHE Patton on the Fords' front
porch, swinging slowly in the green
willow seat, shifted uneasily when he
heard the town clock strike the half
hour. He knew that the lights in the
parlor chandelier now filtering through
the finely webbed curtains and tracing
graceful pattern on Roses round
cheek would snap out in somewhat less
than five minutes. Ten-thlrty 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 go.
Time seems awfully short"
"What time are you talking about?'
"Why, the time I've been here this
evening, of course"
ooh! I'm glad you've enjoyed it,
"Well, haven't your
"M-yes. It's been very pleasant"
pleasant You talk as though
you'd been at a sewing society"
"Say, BERTHE, If you're trying to pick
fight you may as well go. l hear
papa anyway"
BERTHE was instantly contrite. "Ex-
cuse me, l didn't mean 1t, Rose"
There was step in the vestibule.
But 1t 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, so I think I'll go to bed. !
wonder If Bert would mind staying a
little longer. I sort of hate to close
up the house till papa comes. l don't
think he'll be late"
Oh, ecstasyl Oh, blessed words
BERTHE longed to kiss the hem of her
gown. He cleared his throat man
fully.
Eyes, 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 off and there was
quiet, ecstatic peace.
Bert wondered If he could possibly
be awake, To test reality, he lighted
a cigarette.
'Nice, isn't it?' he remarked.
"WhatT
"Just to be here" He had thought
of casually, quite accidentally, laying
hand on hers as 1t lay beside him In
the darkness, but he lost courage.
"Say, Rose, do you want to 60 to
the Stepamore club picnicT he sup.
plemented instead.
I'm going"
Excuse me-"
"That's all right. Thanks for ask
ing me anyway"
81 thought there was plenty of time
two weeks"
81 promised week ago."
81 hadn't an idea there were 81
many worshipers at your shrine"
'"Thats not polite. Besides there
aren't so many dozen that you can
count. Tn going with the same per
son to both, If that's what you're dyini
| to find out"
"That-that Dixon, I'll bet jit
neyl"
'Don't call him that Dixon He
been awfully nice to me-"
"Why, he's old--too old for you
Rose"
"He isn't-he just looks distin
guished, and you're-you're jealous.
distinguished! Good night Jus
because he's mustached like Maya
and wears glasses and lives in New
York"
ebert Patton, you're horrid! thinl
I'd better go In and look after mamma
anyway. Good night"
He caught her hand in both of his
Rose, Rosie, dear, don't go. Sit down
won't your" He pulled her gently to
ward him. She yielded finally and sa
down. He slipped an arm bold,
around her.
"Rosie. dear, / love you"
"Why, Bert Pattonw
"Yes, do, Rose. I adore you. Clea
crazy about you. You don't care abou
that New York fellow, do you?"
81 don't know. Papa seems to lik
him. That's what he's here for. Pap'
wanted somebody reliable for goot
| place he has open, and Mr.. Dixon CAM
| to see about It,"
Lucky dog!" sighed BERTHE,
"But you, Rose? Oh, say, Rose, b.
my girl, won't you? Can't you 50!
you-love me? / love you!"
II don't know. You see, papa"
Suddenly horn sounded and ca
stopped at the curb.
"There's papa now! Rose spranl
up.
Mr.. Ford came up the path slowl,
limping, and the car slid away.
"Oh, that you, Rosie? Waited up
did you? That's nice girl. And Der
pattono We'll I dpclarei Mamma IN