The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1919-04-08

II - 1.NSE leaned farther over
tne Dalustrade. and frankly lis
tened. Not that she had ever in
sshnea 70, but when one comes along
unexpectedly and hears ones own
name used freely and without warrant
y Is surely human nature to want IA
Know what 1t is all about. Especially
Wnen matters have been at the high
golnt OF tension they had at the
Quiutard's.
Old. Nine. Rossiter was calling with
ner married daughter MiIly, and Milly
Was not in favor OF Patience. or her
position in the home of her wealthy
Z aunt. She had her own younger Sis
Ter TO marry off. and the marriage.
able men in the little summer colony
~ Larcinrst were reduced to the min.
mum Archie Tevis was the first
prize and Patience had ignored him
with deltberated intent. Yet now she
heard their names coupled in the Cos
SIP OF old madame who ruled like an
autocrat over the other flutterinr
girls and women of the resort.
s. well. I'm in favor of It," she said
hstay. "Archie's my nephew, and he
needs balance and family ties, espec-
ially now when his father is getting
younger every day. Have you seen
Hooker lately, Mrs. Quintard. Hes
fitty.four to my certain knowledge.
and he looks about forty or younger.
Been on the other side all through the
war, and 1t agreed with him. He's
Mt and handsome. and Archie can't
hold q candle beside him, l think. II
Iwere-a girl, I'd make straight play
for the colonel"
as he back?" asked Mrs. ouintard,
pleasantly. 81 thought he was In
Washington
Yes, he's opened uo Everglades.
Gong to make big stock farm of it
l believe: Crazy over the rural life
after too much war. You tell Patience
for me to overlook Archie and make
TookeT fall in love with her. I'll help
nil I can"
And here Patience stole back up
stairs, along the broad, cool corridor,
and out IN the upper porch. Here she
Sat in full view of the road, with roses
end vines and honeysuclles around
her and just as attractive in her whitc
linfT smocs as she could be, with its
piiots OF black velvet ribbon here and
there and one perky bow. like a Chip
spsws r1FideT's tribal feather, pointing
upward from her brown hair.
Archie and his father rode horse
h'ck slowly, while the colonel lectur.
ed.
You're twenty, sir and a cub. I've
rrcr lads three years younger than
!. $50 l~aainS their men through hell.
fts- and making good on Il. You're ar.
~ icted with leisure and no definite
sirn in life. and now hear you're had
2 serious love affair with Molly Quin-
tard's niece Who the devil is she?"
"There she is dad" drawled out
Archie. provokingly. but with twin
Fle in his eye, as he nodded his head
toward Patience on the upper porch.
IN aapger that she would take the
trouble to lift her head and speak to
l,ipi. He fe't lie was quite safe and
Colonel Tevts turned his handsome
head toward destiny quite as fearless.
sly as he had ever looked in the face
OF danger.
Patience had seen them when they
first rode down the hill road. but she
had read her book deliberately until
she felt the gaze OF some one, not
Archie, but compelling gave that
forced her to meet it. And slowly she
bowed her head as the two men raised
therl caps TO her but not before she
had felt the color rise TO her CHECKS.
DO you blame me, dad?" Archie
asked daringly as he noted his fathers
silence. Pretty impressive girl, isn't
she?'
use different tone" ordered the
colonel, with smile OF intention. II
she'll have me, Arch, I'm going to cut
You nat. She was abroad year ago
with the Leslie Deans of Louisville,
met her in Paris at one of the Red
Cross affairs. and if she's been at all
doesn't to you, sir, can tell YOU now
u was on account Of your father. She
knows that she can be the future Mrs
Teyts whenever it 9leases her to give
me the least encouragement. She's
the image of her aunt Molly at her
age, and ! never loved any other girl
but Molly
why not marry Molly now. and
leave Patience to me-" suggested Ar
chic sayagely.
Because you're idle and not fit for
any Rlrl nc marry. Go to work and
quit this social game here, Arch. and
III give you chance to win her from
me. Meantime. give you warning"
The next two months Larchurst won
dered and pondered Just what Pa
tjence intended doing with the colo
mel He had become her most devoted
admirer, or, as Arch put it more neat
", Dads got the inside track" Ar
chic had gone to work daily in the
city Doggedly he had taken up the
challenge 10 make good. but evenings
he shared Patience's society with the
colonel and when he grouched at his
work his father would laugh and tell
him to quit IL he liked. He was win
ming anyhow.
But ne watched the boy keenly and
saw that he was holding his own a.:
the Office game and had the makings
Of . good soldier IN him. after all.
The eighth week found Patience alone
upon the upper porch. He was tired,
.after cinehing two contracts for the
firm that warranted a steady salary for
himself and the surety OF his place in
tho firm. But he had determination
about him that was new and his sec
ond proposal was different from his
hTst
ffrS..a - :. ~ -,