The weekly Iberian. (New Iberia, La.) 1894-1946, 1920-09-25
PAT
BY AGNES G. BROGAN.
%. 1920. Western Newspaper Union)


pets, and Delaney himself dislikec
girls as much as his sister loved them
Long ago he had adopted, in de
Tense, a manner of dignitied aloofness
which, with his precise courtesy, was
supposed to impress the frivolous
minded with awe. And the adopted
manner in time became habit Sue
herself, in all her happy plump com
| placence, was unable to break down
the wall of frigidity between when her
| brother chose to erect it. Yet the
| clever man had many admirers, and
| Professor Vane's presence as lecturer
or guest was eagerly sought. He felt
| the loneliness of his bachelorhood for
the first time when Miss Sue insisted
| upon leaving him to the care of the
| housekeeper while she enjoyed long
| desired visit in the nearby city.
Delaney was so lonely that his mind
reverted to past canine pets and their
comforting companionship, and when
| Saunders at the club mentioned some
Irish setter pups which he had located
and intended buying, Delaney daring
ly made an offer for one of the dogs,
hoping to have it installed and trained
to the avoidance of certain cushions
and chairs before Sue returned. Her
kind heart he knew, would not de-
mand the animals dismissal. Saun-
ders promised his friend that the dog
would be forwarded. So, upon a
humid summer morning, the professor
exchanged his strictly correct attire
for old outing togs and proceeded to
cut the grass. Delaney was handed
telegram as he moved the back
lawn. It's wording was brief:
Meet Pat at trolley station II rs
a. m. this (Tuesday) morning. See
you later s."
1t was now ten O'Clock. The dog
would soon arrive. Delaney cOnsid-
cred the best means of conveying the
animal from the distant suburban sta
ton to his home. The only practical
solution seemed the light cart which
Tom, the gardener, kept for home
trucking. He had not long to wait for
the incoming train and Immediately
sought the baggage room. No dog was
there; that was evident At the last
moment Saunders must have met with
some difficulty in sending on his
charge. Perhaps he would wire again.
The professor decided to go home and
see. AS he hurried along, hands thrust
into the pockets of his soiled khaki
trousers, pretty woman standing be-
fore him, INSTRUCTED his way.
"Wait a minute" she ordered.
"Were you sent her to meet me? am
Miss Powers"
Delaney confusedly declared that
he had not been sent. Confusion was
foreign to the professor. His assured
manner appeared to have departed
with the assurance of proper attire.
The young woman ruminated, and the
Illuminating brought certain deep and
charming glints to her already charm
ing eyes.
well" she remarked casually "It
really doesn't matter; you may drive
me out to Park Heights. When we are
near the residence section l will get
down and walk the rest of the way"
She was searching, as she spoke, in
a silk-lined purse and, holding out to
Delaney Vane a dollar bill, climbed
to place on the seat of the cart. AS
he heSitated the glinting blue eyes
grew troubled.
"Oh! Perhaps" said Miss Powers,
you do not happen to be going my
way. 1 just thought if you we're"
"You would not care to ride in a
wagon" Delaney suggested tentative
~. Strangely enough he was hoping
that she would.
Bother about the wagon laughed
the girl II wanted to find something
different in the country"
So the professor took his seat beside
her.
II came, you see," she explained,
'for visit Miss Vane is the dearest
soul, and invited me to come back with
her. But at the last moment she was
persuaded to remain over for an en-
tertainment. and sent me on ahead
She wired her brother, the professor,
to meet me, but"
Miss Powers smiled. From what
have heard. meeting young women is
not his forte" she said.
Delaney drew up the horse in the
middle of the road and bent to stare
into the girls face
"What," he asked, lis your full
name, if l may know"
The blue eyes regarded him wonder
ingly.
Patricia Powers" the girl replied.
Professor Vane smiled. His friends
would have been surprised at the boy
ishness of that smile
Sues letters have been full of GER
tain Patricia, ! recolect." he unused.
pat think she called her. 1t must
have been her telegram that received
this morning. after ALL"
He actually chuckled.
And | came down to meet Pat
with the trucking wagonn'
But | don't understand" said the
girl.
"Of course you don't" this new joy
Gus Delaney told her. You will,
though. before we reach home. I'm
going to drive you way round the
park