The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1930-08-11


chair by the fire, and opposite her
sat Beatrice, with Sidney on the
arm of her chair. They were having
coffee in the freight; the pleasant
room was full Of fugitive lights and
shadows.
/ CIDNEY and Beatrice Sprang up
~ eagerly as the others came in,
but there was some little constraint
in their greetings, none the less.
Presently they all settled down
again. to more coffee, and to talk.
And the others never got there at
ALL" Beatrice said in stupefaction,
when their story was told. But
where are they? They're not at
home If they were, I should have
heard of it from the girls today"
"Oh, they're somewhere" Patricia,
who had seated herself youthfully
on the hasSock at Mrs. Palmer's
knee, answered indifferently.
Yes, but what did you do?" the
younger girl persisted, in a puzzled
way.
we stayed at the cabin" Pa
tricia admitted. Fortunately the
food arrived safely enough!"
For PHYS sake!" Dams mother
calculated. Beatrice looked at Sid
ney, and then her eyes moved &C
cuSingly to her mother.
You came after us, fast enouglll"
she observed innocently. And there
was a burst of laughter from all
that did much to clear the air.
yes, that's one on you Pat, Pal
mer!" Sidney's pleasant voice said.
But Immediately he was serious.
You must know our plans" he said.
Il am leaving day after tomorrow,
and l shall not be back in Deer
bridge for some time-until 1 am
free, in fact. The hour I am free
will see me coming back" and he
/ laid his hand over Beatrice's and
smiled at her as only Sidney could
smile. For my GIRL he finished
simply.
Meanwhile, Mother and Sid think
1t wiser to keep it a secret, Pat"
Beatrice said. looking at Patricia
somewhat apealingiy. do your"
"Oh, dol" Patricia said, affec-
tionately, and earnestly.
But can write!" Beatrice added,
glad of the other girls sympathy
and interest.
And I shall every day!" Sidney
promised.
And there1l be Christmas boxes
and kilograms, and everything, f"
Beatrice reflected.
And then-itll only be a year.
at most, and then we'll have a we'd
dingl'
WEH see that the year
w doesn't seem too long, Baby'
her mother said tenderly. Patricia
had one hand locked between Mrs.
Palmer's two, and now the older
woman turned to her.
Il hope your aunties won't feel
bad about you having got to the
cabin with only Dan," said she,
with her simple kindly diffidence.
Easy enough to tell them we
all were there!" Sidney suggested.
II don't care enough about what
they think to deceive them" said
the splendid Miss Chesebrough, in
differently.
Dan said nothing, but his ex-
preston was one of such almost holy
content that Sidney. watching him,
moved his eyes queStioningly to
Beatrice. who met his look with
one of dawning enlightenment.
Anyway, 'twasnt your fault"
Mrs. Palmer said Loyalty.
Patricia, still holding her hands,
dropped on her knees beside the
kind and sweet and loving woman
she had come to know so truly and
said triumphantly, whimsically,
We'll, anyway-mother's with us. !"
Mrs. Palmer looked at her keenly,
shot a Tightening glance at her son,
tried to speak, tried to laugh and
tried to look into Patricia's eyes.
But the girl. in a sudden rush Of
shyneSs, had pressed those older,
rougher hands against her burning
face and had buried her head on
the woman's knee.
why. Danny" his mother fall
tered. "Why-Patricia-childl Why,
children-children children"
''YeS'm. it's So" Dan said, spring.
ing up with a great laugh of trj-
uhsph and coming over to share her
embrace.
She's going to marry me, mother
she said she would"
Pat" Beatrice almost screamed.
And for several minutes there was
pandemonitim in the sitting room.
It was interrupted by Peacock.
i =
MRS. THROCKM0RTON at the
4 w 8Iephone for Mrs. or Miss
-.