The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-07-07
NEW PLANS
Chapter 80

Chapter SO
OF course Patty understood, only too
well.
But she asked Mrs Mum for an ex-
PLANTATION because she felt the whole !
matter was so important that the only
way to clear it up was to have every !
thing on a frank and open basis.
Mrs. Darlington, who excelled IN
talking around a subject rather than
directly discussing it, was somewhat
annoyed In her turn, she decided that
Patty was being exceedingly clever in
making her talk frankly. and rather
catfish too.
Therefore, strange to say, she devel-
oped a little admiration for this girl,
who could annoy and make her I'M
comfortable! 1t was a curious way for
Patty to gain the respect of her future
mother-in-law. 1t was certainly not
the way she would have chosen. She
was too simple and sincere to want TO
go in for all the roundabout methods
of more sophisticated characters.
So she said, 81 wish you would ex-
plain"
And Mrs. Darlington. with a little
annoyed smile, answered, Really, my
T.
time ago Paul told me he was in love
with Miss Parke-Miss Parke l knew
as a NICE wiling little secretary at a.
woman's. club, very sweet girl who
seemed to be a protege of a generous
friend of mine. What else could l say
but what l did? l was sure Paul was
not serious-boys fall in and out of
love easily, and girls as we'll" Patty
was grateful that she covered that lit
tie sting so we'll, though it hurt just
as much.
Naturally l refused to take him
seriously. 1t was his continued devo-
ton that finally impressed me-"
Mrs. Mum would have been delight
ed with that remark, for she knew how
Mrs. Darlington had ragged every time
Paul did not go to her for the week
end
Il don't think you would have con-
sented, even So" Patty said, still want
ing to be perfectly frank.
You exaggerate my influence over
my son" Mrs. Darlington said sarcas-
tically Il could and possibly would
have withheld my consent, but would
have known all the time that eventual
ly Paul would have his way"
But you do consent now?" Patty
went on
Certainly l am very happy about
II now Patricia Parke from some
place in the west and Patricia Parke-
Mum, the daughter of Mrs. Granger
Mum, are two quite different people,
though you may not believe it yet
Il think" Patty said little vicious
ly, that your distinction is rather a
snobbisn one"
"Of course It is" Mrs Darlington
answered calmly. 81 admit I'm snob
Everyone is. You probably worse
than t.
The girl wanted to avoid AL -argu
ment so she did not press this point
Instead, she changed the subject.
I'D like you to know that l would
not have married Paul without your
consent she said.
There you would have beer very
foolish" Mrs. Darlington told her with
surprising candor. You say you are
both deeply in love. In that case, had
the various obstacles not been remov
ed to make way for peaceful mar
riage, you should have married any
way. OF course Paul would have los
his money, had he married without my
consent, but l know you are not mer
count with you"
Patty almost choked with anger a
this. For, in spite of her words anC
the sincerity of her manner, Mrs. Oar
lington had a way of suggesting tht
very thing she was denying.
Il did not care about the money,
Patty said, the red running into he
cheeks again. Il was thinking of Paul
l did not want to deprive him of an.
of the things he was used to-
Very foolish of you," the astound
ing woman replied. Paul is spoiled
l spoiled him That's my privilege
I'm his mother One of the tasks
shall turn over to you is to undo som
of that"
This left Patty quite helpless wit
establishment, and therefore gave Mrs
Darlington the advantage in the cor
versation.
Naturally ! cannot expect you t
agree that he is spoiled, you'll find tina
out later" she went on with grea
cheerfulness. THE thing is that it
quite all right for you to be engage
now. l hurried to visit you and offe
my good wishes as soon as | cam
back to town. I've only one thing t
ask-I'd rather you wouldn't make
public for a few weeks.
Il think it will look better So" Sh