“I couldn’t be fond of her.”
“You might be fond of her already,” said the Judge.
“Who—who can it be?” asked Patty, wiping her eyes and pushing back her hair.
The Judge smiled.
“Think, my dear.”
“Is it Miss Kate Hollister?” cried the girl joyfully. “Tell me quick.”
Then Judge Sands blushed like a schoolboy.
“Yes,” he said, “she is the only woman who can take your mother’s place, Patty. No—not that—no one can take her dear place; but she is the only woman upon earth whom I should ask to be my wife.”
Then Patty jumped up and kissed her father many times.
“Oh, Papa!” she said, “why didn’t you tell me at first and not frighten me to death. Oh! I should love her so, and I should never be jealous of her. Are you engaged?”