Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1896-11-10
Observation-Disclosures uAn ul,nng
A Lesson in Love.

GHN''HWHNFWWWWNH
Il suppose love him. l wonder at
myself for hesitating any longer to an
swer his letter.
Madeline turned the letter over in
her hand and looked intently at the
clear, even writing on the envelope.
He was not very much disturbed
when he wrote that" she said; there
is not single line or curve that de-
notes nervousness" She turned the
letter over. l fancy he never stamped
the seal more perfectly. Now, really,
it seems that his hand should have
trembled just little--a very little.
Il have said all my life," she said
thoughtfully that l would never
marry without love, but | never
dreamed it would be difficult to know
whether loved" She threw her head
back a little YEARLY and sighed.
III l knew" she said slowly; IF |
only knew, l would place as high
value upon the giving of my heart as
any woman that lives. ! only know
that he is as much or more to me than
anyone else that | have ever seen IN
my life we have similar tastes; he is
all my judgment tells me an honorable
gentleman should be; he is OF good
family. sensible. practical and clever"
She reached out her hand and touched
a little bell at her side.
Bring my desk" she said to the
smart little maid who entered, and
when she was once more alone, without
any further hesitation, she languidly
commenced her letter.
so this is love-" she said. 1t is
not as | thought-after all, what Is AS
we think il should be? What dreams
we have, we girls, and how different
the reality! All, WE'LL
May come in, Miss Madeline?"
Madeline looked up at the tall, slight
girl standing just outside her door,
and, smiling kindly into the gray eyes,
babe her enter. She was seamstress
that Madeline had known for some
time, and had been interested in be-
cause she thought she had discovered
depths in this nature better worth
studying than most of her society
friends. Madeline was c." OF those
people we seldom but do sometimes
meet, who was capable of understand
ing human nature in all its phases, ana
of tolerating even those opinions CT
which she did not approve. soul
great enough to reach to the very
depths for hidden good.
Stella had opened her heart to her
as everything else did, and all life and
every life was interesting TO Madeline.
Perhaps she understood, and every
ones confidence was sacred.
One keen glance at Stella and she
knew the girl was troubled.
You are unhappy, Stella. Sit down"
putting her letter aside as if it was not
a matter that influenced her whole life.
What is it?"
Miss Madeline, have told you about
Mr.. Hastings. | want to write letter
to him. / want to ask you to write it
for me- You are so smart, Miss Made
line, and so well educated, and so is lie.
| know what / want TO say, but can't
write it,
why do you not tell him, Stella""
He doesn't come TO see me now, you
know. / think it is like this: He has
grown tired and thinks | will not care.
He thinks no woman cares much. am
so sure if he really knew. if there is
anyway of making him understand how
dear a man can be to woman, he
would come back to me-he would
marry me. l want him to know.
want to tell you and then you must
make him understand. win you, Miss
Madelne?"
Il will try" said Madeline kindly,
taking up her desk, putting her own
letter aside very calmly, and arranging