The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram., 1922-07-08
A CHAT
Chapter 100


Chapter 100
The result of all this was that, of !
course, Paul had to be phoned to at
once. Patty caught him as he was
leaving his Office. He was indoors now, |
learning the ropes as he put it.
And Paul, decidedly pleased, ap-
peared that evening for dinner.
L thought she'd come around and be
nice, If | kept quiet and said nothing,
lie announced quite as though, in i'm
patient moments, he hadn't urged elop-
ing and all sorts of rash plans.
They had the drawing room to them
selves, and sat together on the couch
where Mrs. Mum usually reclined in
great luxury among her innumerable
cushions
Everything all right now-no more
troubles" Paul said, settling back COM
fortably with a cigarette. Are you
glad Patty?"
Patty turned to him with one Of her
slow. sweet smiles-a smile that in
some odd fashion emphasized the seri-
ousness of her face For answer she
put out her hand, which he took and
held
After time she said:
I'm perfectly happy-perfectly."
Paul laughed at that.
That's a lot of happiness" he told
her.
Il know" the girl nodded, looking
away from him into the fire. "It's a
lot more happiness than thought pos
sible. | don't mean that I was miser-
able before was always happy from
the time I knew you loved me. Only
it was happiness with little reserva-
tion-do you know wha. l mean?"
And as Paul, still holding her hand,
shook his head
Il was afraid-weil, afraid some
thing might come between US, and
spoil our love. Either that you might
grow tired of waiting, or you might
meet someone else you liked better
It was a thing to smile at now, with
Paul's hand tightening over hers. but
il had been very real fear 10 Patty
the winter and summer before
Il had to keep IA little defense in
myself against my own feelings. l
just couldn't let go and be as happy
as wanted to be-"
Paul understood now, and was
touched.
I'm glad that's all over" he said.
'If I'd known you felt that way would
objections and my mothers. l want
YOU to be perfectly happy"
Now you'll think I've been weeping
my eyes out in secret" The girl
smiled teasingly and drew her hand
away. Il assure you | haven't. Be-
sides, seriously, l like being in love
with YOU, which must mean that actu-
ally | was happier-even when you
weren't a bit in love with me-"
1t was an absorbing discussion, OF
course, love is always the most beauti
fully new and delightful subject fol
two people-in loye-to discuss.
Paul wondered at this point of view
Patty tried to explain, frowning q
little as she stared with concentrated
seriousness at the fire.
Il suppose it was because you gave
me an ideal to look up to-" she con
cluded 1T would have been so awfu
TO fall in love with, and be loved by
an ordinary sort of man. I'd rather
love someone like you-even if there
was no hope of knowing you or seeing
you"
Paul's arms were around her sud
denly
You mustn't idealize me-" he said
Sweetness, you mustn't. For yol
wouldn't stay happy long that way. I'm
just the most ordinary sort of a person
In fact" and he interrupted himsel
to kiss her cheek and hold her ava!
from him for moment. In fact In
much worse. I'm awfully spoiled
Everyone says So
Like Patty, he went quickly from on
mood to another, from passionate ten
derness to smiling affection.
Il know" answered Patty agreed. q
like you that way"
Paul laughed with genuine amuse
ment, the rich, ringing laugh that wa
one of his greatest attractions.
Then there's no hope for me-" h
concluded.
He took her hand again, and they sa
quietly, each watching the dancin
flames from the fireplace.
Patty broke the silence.
You're not really spoiled anyway,
she began illogically. You're simpl
a nice irresponsible type, the sma
boy that never grows up. That's wha
! like-probably because I take life S
seriously myself"
But | don't want You to-for tha
doesn't sound as though you would b
perfectly happy-taking things seriou!
iy," Paul objected.
The girl was pursuing another trai
of thought. however.
Il said I was perfectly happy-an
am at present. One reason is, as
said, that l don't have to keep up thi
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