The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1922-07-06
A EETING
Chapter 90

OF view OF the youngster who turns and
fees from some inevitable punish
ment. She wanted to run or to hide.
But being a responsible adult, and
being sensible as well, she realized
that she had to meet Pauls mother
some time. and it might as well be
now. In fact, it would be over that
much sooner.
Nevertheless, she was in dread OF
going downstairs and confronting the
woman who had made her SO miser-
able all these months.
Tell her I'll be down IN a moment"
she said TO he maid. And rushed to
frocks and swiftly choose the prettiest.
cat least she'll see can look nice"
she murmured to herself, hastily fast
ening hooks with fingers that were ice
cold from nervousness.
Then she powdered her nose and
gave her hair several of those useless
little pats which do nothing to make
it heater, but which somehow reassure
the woman herself.
And wondering whether she were
impolitely late about going down, hur-
ried to the drawing room. Mrs. Mum
was out, whatever she had to face had
to be gone through with alone.
AS for Mrs. Darlington, she was Sc
cretly a little amused by being kept
waiting ten minutes in this royal
fashion.
Patty wondered what tactics she
should adopt-whether to be very nice
in the hope of conciIiating the visitor,
or rather cool and reserved. She de-
cided to wait and see what line Pauls
mother would take. And she entered
, the room with admirable composure.
so sorry to have kept you waiting, "
Patty murmured with an artificial en-
phasis on the so"
ooh, you've been admirably prompt,
Mrs. Darlington observed. Was she
ironical? Patty wondered. Did that
mean she was going to be nasty?
You'll stay for tea, of course. won't
you?" Patty went on, being desperate
ly polite. Mother will be in then"
The new word mother" new as ap
piled to Mrs. Mum, came oddly from
her lips. She used 1t now because il
pleased her dear friend so to hear it
though always with little feeling that
her own mother would be jealous II
she heard it.
I'm afraid l can't" Mrs. Darling
ton dismissed Mrs. Mum thus briefly
"As a matter of fact, l came to cal
upon you particularly and to Offer
my Fluctuations"
Odd word! Did she mean he" good
wishes because of the adoption, Patty
wondered?
She murmured Thank YOU" anC
waited.
You're looking very we'll" Mrs
Darlington's words were directed a
Patty. Her eyes were taking In thu
little blue velvet frock that the cir
had on. Wasn't she glad now size haC
changed! For this little gown set of
her hair and eyes and pink colorin:
In the most flattering manner.
What had she come for? Patty wa
aware that the creed of this specia
circle of people was to be as nice OF
the surface as possible. and never t.
be frank and openly nasty when it wa
possible to imply all the disagT eeabl
things without saying them.
1t was more polite-and meaner.
I'm so sorry not to have been a
4 your luncheon" Mrs. Darlington sale
Y evidently working around to some
rect point. But as you know, hav
been away. l came to you as soon a
I returned to offer you my good wish
es"
She said it again! Patty couldn
murmur another Thank you" and n
lapse into silence. So she answered:
That's very kind Mother-Mr
Munn-has always been so charmin
to me that l have been PARTICULAR
happy to"
ooh. but l didn't mean about tn
adoption!" The tall, beautifully con
posed lady was at last being frank
Though of course l can we'll unde
stand that meant lot to you" Cha
was a mean one. Patty decided, an
hated her momentarily. But she ma
aged to preserve a sweet smile.)
was thinking of you and Paul"
Patty's eyes opened in surprise tn
time.
Paul! Then he's told you"
OF course she knew he had-a lor
time ago. Had there been another ia
between them? What did this woma
mean? She wished she would come
the point
"Of course he's told me I'm SUI
you'll be happy together" Mrs. Da
ington's voice dripped. cool sweetnes
But when-I beg your pardon, b
do you mind telling me when Paul to
you? / understand you" She could
get it all out, and she no longer d
sired anything but frankness and Il
truth.
You understood I objected. l did
believe me, for your good as we'll
.. his. An engagement between you W
impossible, as things stood before. B
don't you see that it's quite chang
now"
I'm sorry, l don't see," Patty a