Patty—Bride

"But you'll have to, Phil, dear. I'm engaged to Little Billee, and some day I'm going to marry him. And that's all there is about it."

"Oh, no, Patty, that isn't all about it. I'm not going to give you up so easily. You don't know how I care for you. You've no idea what a determined chap I can be,----"

"Now, stop, Phil. You know you promised that we should be friends and nothing more. You promised not to ask for more than my friendship--didn't you, now?"

"I did but that was only so you'd stay friendly with me, and I thought,--forgive the egotism,--I thought I could yet win your love. Patty, you don't care such a lot for Farnsworth, do you, now?"

"Indeed I do, Phil. Why, do you suppose I'd be engaged to him if I didn't love him more than anybody in all the world? Of course I wouldn't!"

"I know you think so, Patty," Phil's handsome face was grave and kind, "but you may be mistaken."

"I'm not mistaken, Philip, and unless you change your subject of conversation, I'll have to ask you to go away. I should think you'd scorn to talk like that to a girl who's engaged to another man!"

"I should think I would, too, Patty. But I can't help it. Oh, my girl, my little love, I can't give you up. I can't tamely stand aside and make no effort to win you back! I'm not asking anything wrong, Patty, only don't send me away; let me try once again for you,----"

"It's too late, Phil," and Patty looked a little frightened at his vehemence.

"It's never too late, until you're actually married to him. When will that be?"

"Oh, I don't know. We've only been engaged a fortnight,----"

"And I only learned of it today,----"

"I know, I tried to get you on the telephone,----"

"Yes, I've been down in Washington for a week or more. But, Patty, dearest, think how surprised and stunned I was to hear of it. I came right over, to learn from you, yourself, if it could be true."

"Yes, Philip, it is true, and I'm glad and happy about it. I'm sorry you've been disappointed, but--there are others----"

"Hush!" and Van Reypen fairly glared at her, "never imply that there's any one else in the world for me! Oh, Patty, my little Patty, I can't bear it."

His great, dark eyes were full of despair, his face was drawn with sorrow, and Patty forgave him, even while she resented his attitude.

"You mustn't, Philip," she said, gently; "it isn't right for you to talk to me like that. I feel disloyal, even to listen to it."

"I don't care!" Van Reypen burst out. "You're mine! You promised Aunty Van you'd marry me! You promised!"

Philip grasped her hand in both his own, and gazed at her so wildly that Patty was tempted to run out of the room. But she realised the matter must be settled once for all, and she spoke with dignity.

"Philip," she said, "I don't think you're quite fair to me,--or to Billee. Is it manly to talk like this to the girl who is promised to your friend?"

"No, it isn't. You're right, Patty." Van Reypen dropped her hand and folding his arms, stood and looked at her. "But listen to me, girl. I shall not give up until you're married to Farnsworth. If I can win you back from him, I'm going to do so. I shall do nothing wrong. But, dear, I'm so miserable,--so utterly heart-broken,--you won't put me out of your life,--will you?"

Now one of Patty's strongest traits of character was her dislike of giving pain to another. Philip could have put forth no more powerful argument than an avowal of his disappointment. Against her better judgment, even against her own wish, she smiled kindly on him.