“ONE KISS PAYS FOR ALL.”
Patty Groves had her ardent desire to know Reginald Hamilton granted at last. In her occasional outings with the patronizing Mrs. Putnam, pending the arrival of the lady who was to introduce her to fashionable society, the new chaperone beckoned up Reggie and presented him.
Patty quickly played her best card to win his favor—she was Eva’s cousin. When he politely expressed his pleasure in the meeting and hinted at his surprise in not seeing her in Fifth Avenue, she tossed her head and said airily:
“Oh, our families were at outs in West Virginia, you know. Maybe I will tell you why when we know each other better.”
This was a cordial invitation to continue the acquaintance, but Reggie did not take the hint to call; he was too much engrossed in his sweetheart and his coming happiness.
But Patty so persistently crossed his path, each time manifesting such delight in the rencontre, that she at least impressed herself sufficiently on his memory to make him mention her in Fifth Avenue.
“Oh, Eva, I have been seeing a girl with Charley Putnam’s widow at flower shows and places, and she claims to be a cousin of yours—a Miss Groves, of West Virginia.”
Eva reddened with vexation,
“That odious Patty!” she pouted.
“Then she really is your relation?” he said carelessly.