Little Falls herald. [volume] (Little Falls, Morrison County, Minn.) 1889-1950, 1919-10-24
PATSY
By JACK LAYTON.
Copyright. 1919. Western Newspaper Union)

1E. = nll
Copyright. 1919. Western Newspaper Union)
Peter Webster drew up his car be-
fore the rambling farmhouse and
viewed it appraisingly. He had taken
upon himself the task of selecting
suitable summer boarding place for
his senior partners nerve-worn
daughter-or rather, the task, as usu-
al, was thrust upon him.
To Peter, it seemed that he had dur
ing the past year, been called upon
overmuch to attend to the affairs of
this same unknown Miss Patricia Penn
| broke. In his opinion, his partners IA
| vored daughter was one Of class to
be Stunned. So Peter deliberately
Stunned her; though difficult of car
rying out was his purpose. Not only
! the girls family and adoring mother.
but his own financially ambitious one,
were anxious to bring the two togeth-
er, In hope of possible proud ALL
ance.
Peter desiring not to be cause of
disappointment, determined to hold
! aloof. He was fond of his old senior
! partner; his sympathies went out to
the busy man, who must constantly be
burdened with added home cares.
; Therefore Peter had, with much con-
! sideration, chosen Miss Pembroke's
luxurious car, and also, being nusi-
: clan, he had selected. at her fathers
instigation, her new Concert grand pl-
anO,
From these missions the younger
partner had formed his own opinion
Of the f1attered girls exactions. Patricia
Pembroke, it seemed. was always IN
the center of the social stage.
Here her "song charmed" or there
"she excelled as pianist" Far be it
from himself, Peter thought. to con-
tnue the tired old fathers charge OF
catering to this brilliant daughter.
He smiled ironically as he rang the
rusty bell on the farmhouse. The doc
tors prescription Of rest for Miss Penn
broke in such seclusion would not, ne
was sure, be long followed.
Having no response to his summons,
he passed around to rear door
Through the screen he could see that
the orderly rooms were vacant. Then
far back among the spreading trees
of tangled garden. he saw blur OF
pink moving with the sway of ham
mock, and he went in it's direction.
The girl who looked up at him from
the depths of the hammock seemed to
be alone in green solitude. Unblink
ingly her blue eyes regarded him, 8
ruft1ed pink sunbonnet giving hel
cheeks ruddy glow. He saw that
the skirt of her pink cambria frock
was filled with the green peas she
was podding.
II CAME" announced Peter, ito make
Inquiries concerning board, at the
farmhouse. No one was there"
"For yourself?" asked the girl calm
~, as she continued her poddipg.
"For a young lady," Peter replied
"Can you tell me where to get infor
mation?"
II can give you all the Information
you want" the girl replied. 1--WE are
not taking anyone"
but I was directed here" Peter In
sisted, evidently distressed. His search
had been long.
UNLIMITED, he dropped into seat
beneath the trees. He hoped he might
be able to enlist the sympathy Of thi:
satisfied young creature in Miss Penn
brokes behalf, so that she, in turn
would persuade her mother to take
the nervous girl in.
"The young woman who wishes tt
come" he said, "is tired out after
hard, strenuous winter"
The girl dropped the peas into
pan and took off her sunbonnet. Thu
copper gold of her uncovered hail
cleaned in the sunlight. Peters eye!
wldened admiringly.
"What work." she questioned. cha:
this nervous girl been doing?"
''No work" Peter answered brusque
". "Rut sometimes he smiled, "on'
can tire ones self out as thorough!
through play. Here. in this peaceful
SPOT. occupied with your homely tasks
II would be difficult for you to realize
how women strive and labor and veal
themselves out in selfish chase fo
social favor. But that's big language
he added, "for little girl"
"Perhaps," said the ''little girl" un
expecte(lly. "these women are not al
ways selfish as you think. Perhaps
there are those who have trained
them for this very success, and woult
be disappointed terribly at their fail
ure"
Peter Webster stared as though
child had suddenly risen to reprov'
him. Then across the stiffness cam'
a shrill cry.
"Patsy!" called woman's voice
"Patsy!"
"She's calling me-" said the girl
"hut you had better go and see he
first
Perpexedly. and with a regretfu
backward glance. Peter moved TOWARD
the house. A woman stood on thu
verant|a.
"What do you want?' she asked
sharply.
| pn+or s+o+od his erran6