The patriot. [volume] (Indiana, Pa.) 1914-1955, 1919-09-20

For two days Nelson Wade had been
g guest at the one hotel at Leesville.
He was so reserved and unObtrusive
and so persistent in not going out ex-
cept after dark that the boniface at
the hOStelry was divided between the
surmiSes as to his being a detective or
a bank burglar. Not that poor Wade
resembled either of the ilk indicated,
for more forlorn individual it would
have been hard to find.
Nelson had come from Dover, 90
miles distant, and his forlornness
harked back directly to that quiet lit
tie town. There he had lived from
boyhOod, there he had met and loved
pretty, vivaciOuS Nettie Mercer and
had become engaged to her Now that
delightful partnership was rudely sun
dered, and Nelson deemed himself the
most wretched of mankind
A silly quarrel had led to the DESC
latiOn that now filed his aching heart.
Fiery jealous and resentful, Nettie had
called her recreant lover to time be-
cause he had gone with a girl visiting
his sister in search of early violets on
Honeysuckle hill.
''YOu made sure not to bring me any
of the spring beauties!" she told him,
and before Nelson could explain to
Nettie that the girl was TO be mar
ried in a month and that he only
showed her the most ordinary courtesy
as a guest of his sister and that their
errand had been bootless, not one vio-
let having been garnered, Nettie drew
the engagement ring from her finger,
threw it at his feet and t1Ounced from
the room
Nelson did not pick up the circlet,
nor did he stay to plead forgiveness,
for he had done no wrong Nor did
he lower his dignity by glossing over
what he considered very reprehensible
action on the part of Nettie. He went
to the city for week, leaving her to
think over her irrational jealousy and
temper. When he came back his con-
fidence in her cooling down" was con-
siderably abashed
"Nettie has gone to spend two
months with our relatives, the Doanes,
at Leesville," her sister explained to
him. "There is a gentleman at Lees
vile, too, she thinks great deal Of"
The gentleman in question was
married cousin of Nettle, but her
maneuvering sister, older and wiser,
minded not invention and a trifling de-
| fn Mo hn hn rood
to making up and behaving themselves.
Nelson found himself sunk into utter
dependency at the unexpected turn
affairs had taken.
"HYes," he, sOllloquized, "Pn go to
Leesville. I'll manage to come across
| Nette. I'll give her the violets and
tell her that, like them, my. heart is
withering and-and I'll do 1t on my
knees, if necessary, for / cannot live
without her!"
And thus it was that Nelson had
gone to Leesville, but to find his night
ly rambles of no avail. He had located
the home Of the Doanes, and had hung
around 1t two whole evenings with
out catching a glimpse Of Nettie. The
third evening he learned from an over
heard conversation Of two of the
Doane girls in the garden that Nettie
was sick in bed with bad cold and
had been confined to her room ever
since her arrival.
Just at dusk two evenings later,
trailing past the high rear fence Of the
Doane grounds, the heart Of the long
ing lover thrilled nightly as he noted
near a little rustic bower q Shawled
figure passing to and fro. 1t was the
first outdoor exercise the inYalid Net
tie had taken. She was alone. What
was a mere fence, high mountains,
castles, any obstacle, to the impetuous
penitent!
Nelson scaled the high pelings. got
over the top. There was a creak,
crack, crash, and he landed on the
other side in the garden, prone and
senseless. A servant coming from the
house uttered sharp scream as she
noted the catastrophe
"Oh, Miss Mercer!" she cried out !;
someone is hurt. Quick quick !"
and Nettie came hurrying to the spot.
II was just light enough to make out
the features Of the PROSTATE invader.
Then Nettie echoed the distraction of
the maid.
'Oh, he may be killed." walled the
frantic Nettie. "Hasten to Mrs. Doane
and telephone for a DOCTOR" and then
as the servant fed toward the house
Nettie threw herself upon the ground
beside her unconscious lover, lifted his
head into her lap and swayed and
crooOned dismally:
''If he should die-and all my fault !"
she walled. "Oh, Nelson! my poor,
wronged darlingw
Nelson Wade opened his eyes. The
first thing he noted was the CLEAN of
the engagement ring on Nettie'S finger.
She had leaned over to kiss HIM on
the cheek. He smiled. He drew from
his pocket the faded violets.
'I came for forgiveness" he began.