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Aunt Jane's Nieces

"

Her father fairly gasped with amazement.

"Patsy!"

People at the near-by tables looked up as her gay laugh rang out, and

beamed upon her in sympathy.

"I'm not crazy a bit. Major," said she, patting the hand he had

stretched toward her, partly in delight and partly in protest. "I've

just had a raise, that's all, and we'll celebrate the occasion."

Her father tucked the napkin under his chin then looked at her

questioningly.

"Tell me, Patsy."

"Madam Borne sent me to a swell house on Madison Avenue this morning,

because all her women were engaged. I dressed the lady's hair in

my best style, Major, and she said it was much more becoming than

Juliette ever made it. Indeed, she wrote a note to Madam, asking her

to send me, hereafter, instead of Juliette, and Madam patted my head

and said I would be a credit to her, and my wages would be ten dollars

a week, from now on. Ten dollars. Major! As much as you earn yourself

at that miserable bookkeeping!"

"Sufferin' Moses!" ejaculated the astonished major, staring back into

her twinkling eyes, "if this kapes on, we'll be millionaires, Patsy."

"We're millionaires, now." responded Patsy, promptly, "because we've

health, and love, and contentment--and enough money to keep us from

worrying. Do you know what I've decided, Major, dear? You shall go to

make that visit to your colonel that you've so long wanted to have.

The vacation will do you good, and you can get away all during July,

because you haven't rested for five years. I went to see Mr. Conover

this noon, and he said he'd give you the month willingly, and keep the

position for you when you returned."

"What! You spoke to old Conover about me?"

"This noon. It's all arranged, daddy, and you'll just have a glorious

time with the old colonel. Bless his dear heart, he'll be overjoyed to

have you with him, at last."

The major pulled out his handkerchief, blew his nose vigorously, and

then surreptitiously wiped his eyes.

"Ah, Patsy, Patsy; it's an angel you are, and nothing less at all, at

all.

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