The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1920-12-29
A Late Choice
By OTILLIA E. PFEIFFER


"And who may the favored lady be,
pray?" Intercepted the latter.
Il thought she was Patty the Pastry
Cook at first / found out later that
she was Miss Patricia Elsden; fine
family, some means-a real charity
worker; loves children, and that Is
the keynote to the entire situation"
al hardly understand" submitted the
other in a puzzled way.
"Well, you know my rich brother
Ronald. When our sister died he took
charge of her three children. About
six months ago Ronald offered me
home and an income if / would marry
some worthy girl. as he put it, who
would become a sort of mother to the
children. I've been away ever since
until last week. Came back to step
into a pretty little restaurant near the
nurses school"
II know of ft-home cooking and
all that. Go on with your story"
There. past the tables, within the
foo. room was The daintiest, most eX-
quisite young lady I ever saw. She
seemed to be directing a lot of able
assistants. although beiOured and
aproned and brisk I ate three pieces
of cherry pie just to keep my place
where l could see her. Then I waited
around outside. In about an hour, ele-
gantly attired. she came out and was
whirled away in luxurious limousine
All. You found out that she was
simply training the girls at the res
taurant"
That's it."
"And then"
81 felt that I couldn't resist her.
You know Ned Archer. Well, he has
secured me an invitation to a function
where Miss EIsden will be tomorrow
evening. Then I shall see her"
and, I suppose, the usual topo-
graphical points of our romantic viii
lage covered. Lovers Lane 'Cupid's
Crossroads Honeymoon Highways?
NO. I shan't daily. I like her; she
may like me. Wedding, home, income
and everything settled for life" spoke
the self-sufIicient Clyde.
His companion babe him adleu. but
glanced after him with a queer express
sion on his face.
Il wonder that Clyde hasn't heard.
It's common gossip" he sOlilOquiZed.
ooh. well. Live and learn"
Now what had happened was that
Ronald Martin had woke up" He
was tired of the ways of spoiled, SCR
did and selfish Clyde. He was wor-
rod because there was no one in the
Use to award to the three little chill
drpn the love and care they deserved.
During the absence of his brother
Ronald had been induced by some
friends TO attend some social gather
ings. He was u courtly and a hand
some man and he realized that he
looked it. The thought had suddenly
come to him: why not anticipate the
dilatOry Clyde and himself find mother
and friend for the little ones?
There was a great crush at the So
cial function where Clyde expected TO
meet his friend and receive an intro
duction to Miss Elsden.
As fate would have it, his friend
was detained from the function
through illness. Clyde Toasted his eyes
on peerless Patty at a distance. Wan
dcring about the conservatory, he was
fully amazed to come across his broth
er Ronald arrayed as the best of them,
and an unusual smile of satisfaction
on his usually serious face
"Well, I. never expected to meet you
here" Clyde expressed himself with a
bluntless devoid of any delicacy.
Il n
perturbably.
q thought you had eschewed fash
ions follies,"
Have you?"
mo, but-er-I say, Ronald, you look
young and full of life. How long has
this been going on?'
"Since you deserted me and showed
no inclination to provide our three lit
tie ones with a mother"
You are mistaken" spoke Clyde hur-
riedly. I'm ready. That is, I have
selected my bride that is to be-"
rs it possibIe?"
yes. DO you notice that being Of
beauty near the piano?"
You mean Miss Patricia Elsden?''
interrogated Ronald.
"Oh! You know her?"
Yes, have met her several times
! lately"
We'll, am going to make up to her.
All | need is an Introduction"
Il can serve you there" observed
Ronald. n queer twinkle in his eye
Good! I'll do the rest. She has
| some money. I heard, and is good as
! gold. generally"
The introduction took place Thence
forth for the remainder of the evening
Clyde devoted himself exclusively to
impressing Miss Elsden with q due
sense of his Importance. And of his
| intentions, as we'll. He was a rapid
wooer, and finally in a quiet corner
of the conservatory he began dis
/ sertation on his profound regard for