Highland recorder. (Monterey, Highland County, Va.) 1877-1972, 1920-05-28
THE SECRET
POCKET
: By WALTER ]. DELANEY
Copyright. 1920 western Newspaper Union

ly. But look at your raincoatw
1T is nothing, considering the seW-
ice rendered. bowed Rodney Cleve,
and he was the courtly gentleman
complete as he lifted his hat and drew
aside discreetly, as the lady reached
the steps of her paiatial home and re-
warded. his attentions with an admir-
ing glance.
Never since the days of good old
Queen Bess Of Merrie England, when
Sir Walter Raleigh set the example
young Cleve had now followed, had u
more delicate compliment been paid to
womankind Coming down the street,
Cleve had seen the Delevan automo-
bile halted with a jar directly in the
middle of the road.
Something broken" announced the
chauffeur, and Cleye stepped to the
curb. Mrs. Delevan, fair and forty,
had pushed open the door of the ma
chine.
"Can you not get nearer to the curb,
John?' she inquired petulantly.
Impossible, ma'am," came the def
mite reply. 1.-THE power is gone and
it's something serious.
Rodney Cleve knew Mrs. Delevan by
sight For two months she, had been
a bugaboo in his life without knowing
it. He had met her niece, bright, pref
ty Patty Delevan, who lived with her,
at several social functions, had fallen
deeply in love with her and had re-
ceived some encouragement in return,
but Patty, Yhile she had allowed him
to see her home on two occasions, had
parted with him at the vestibule door
and had never invited him to call.
Then friend had enlightened Cleve.
"Mr. Delevan is a high and mighty
descendant Of the very Oldest Puritan
Stock" this informant said, "and Mrs.
Delevan is a, social leader. AS to
Patty, they guard and. guide her as
if she were some princess crowd off
the fellows circumscribe her list of
acquaintance and frown on the least
SIKH VI
1t was no marvel, therefore, as Cleve
found himself in position to- serve
this formidable ogress that he was
inspired to remarkable act. He had
whipped off his >raincoat swiftly; he
had spread it out from the curb to the
step of the automobile, had extended
his hand and the lady had thus safely.
eyaded the soil and wet of the maddy
street.
His heart futtered as he snatched |
up the coat and shook it into folds and
carried it away with him. There was
no sense of affectation or the ridicu-
lous, for he had followed precept Of
his father, drilled into him since child
hood. ~ ~
A stickler for propriety, the elder
Cleve had made a record as gracious,
courtly gentleman Of the good old !
kind. "a i
1t was a few days after the incident
of the stalled automobile that Mr..
Cleve called Rodney into the library.
81 haven't forgotten that. this is your
birthday, Rodney" he said, "and my |
tailor suggested practical present"
and he removed from box an over
coat built on lines in exquisite har-
mony with the prevailing dictates of
fashion.
Rodney expressed pleased approba-
ton and gratefulness. Then, discoy-
ering a small slit on the inner arm of
the garment, he inquired:
"Here is a new wrinkle to me. What
is this for?'
"a pocket for tie dainty hand of
any young lady to whom you may hap
pen to be. escort. when the weather is
cold," explained Mr.. Cleve.
Rodney sighed inwardly. Would the
fair hand of Patty Delevan ever nestle
there? ..f u. --
A week later, passing the. opera
house, Rodney recognized Mrs. Dele
van in the line of those purchasing ad-
vance seats, Again the courteous i'm
pulse came into play. The ogress
smiled graciously MS he stepped to her
side. 4
".You will have to stand in line for
half an hour at least" he spoke. If
you will step into the lobby where it is
warm, will see that you get what
tickets you want through my friend
in the box Office"
"Of all the admirable young men,.
Mrs. Deleyan, as Cleve re-
turned.
Gould he be of any further service?
She was going only a few squares to
her husbands Office. He would be
glad 10 be her escort, and as walks
were slippery would she take, his ARM,
/ Quite naturally, as she did so, her
hand slipped into the secret pocket.
How original what a cozy concep-
ton! She really must introduce him
to her husband after all his kindly
attentions, and Cleve felt that he had
certainly acquired footing in their
good graccs st.s
IL NuS- q vast Step iOlNaIu Wien lI
later an invitation came from Mr.
and Mrs. Delevan TO 4 social function
at their home. Wise, delighted Patty
never iiltimated to. her aunt that they
had met before Mutually. hopeful,
they allowed matters to drift.
Into that same secret Sleeve pocket
Patty's dainty-glsyed hand slipped one
evening, as was his won't as they were
headed for an entertainment. patty's
fin, on,.s coma in pontort with a tiny