Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-26

and staid for more than an hour. Mr..
Gilbert insisted on presenting him with
two or three copies of Baedeker and
followed him out into the hall when he
finally rose to go, wishing him sue
cessful year of study.
The piano had stopped, and the door
into the parlor was closed, but Kirk
could hear voices, and it seemed to him
that they were unusually earnest He
imagined he could detect tone of
pleading in one of them.
He Went out into the night and walk
eel the seminary campus under the
grave elms for two or three hours. He
felt disappointed. He went over his
prospects. He viewed from all sides
his position as n man with career,
and before he let himself into his dingy
room he had gone down into depth Of
self depreciation that measured val
ley of humiliation for him.
But when he awoke the next day he
determined, with a dull obstinacy that
was q part of his character, that he
would see Dorothy Gilbert before he
went away. And when evening came he
walked over to the house again.
She was playing the piano again, but
this time alone. She turned around
as Kirk entered and smiled as If she
were glad to see him. and. before he
had time to think of any possible shy
ness he was talking about his pros
poets, the places he expected to visit,
the methods he was planning to use.
AS the talk went on Dorothy Gilbert
crew more interested. Kinks voice had
something to do With it. But asid,
from that he was at his best while
talking about his life work. Dorothy
forgot that lie was theologue. Sew
eral times she was startled at her rec
spouse to his enthusiasm lie had
planned an original trip abroad, and
the details of what he intended to do
reused her native intensity to see re-
suits
But right in the midst of his eXplana-
ton Of what he expected to do in Lon
don Kirk paused.
II heard sou playing the .Traume-
rel when came in. Miss Gilbert. Will
you please play it again?
Dorothy looked surprised at the alb
rupt change, but without word went
to the piano and began. Kirk knew
enough about music to know that she
played well, better than any one he
| had ever heard
| When she finished, she turned about
and said: .iTiou will hear some good
| music while you are abroad, Mr. Kirk.
The Germans, especially, furnish the
/ people with the very best music in the
parks and gardens at a very small
| price"
She suddenly colored deeply as she
thought he might imply that she was
thinking OF his poverty, of his inability
to hear expensive music i'll expensive
places. If he thought Of it, he made
no sign that she noticed. But he said:
II shall never hear any better music
than have heard tonight"
The minute he had said it he felt the
| same timidity seize him that came over
| him the evening before. But it passed
away quickly, and, to his relief. he felt
a certain inward strength and indomi-
| table courage fill him. Dorothy was at
first amused at the compliment; then
she was suddenly excited by it. Kirk
was as simple hearted as child. He
had revealed his secret in the tone and
manner of his words. 1t was the last
thing in the world he had expected to
do when he came. But greater and bet
ter and wiser men than Malcolm Kirk
have done as he did.
! He rose at once and walked straight
over to the fireplace. On the mantel was
miniature of Dorothy, painted by a
New York artist, young woman who
was famous for such work.
II have no right" Kirk spoke with
out tremor-''but if take this and
keep it for a year sacredly to guard it
from every eye but my own and never
to speak Of it and then return it when
come back
She was so surprised that her self
possession failed her. Kinks hand
! was on the miniature with mastery
that Dorothy noticed even at that mo-
ment.
you are not unwilling? I make no
claim. l have none. simply shall
keep it for a year. Perhaps the con-
| Seont StSliI VI IL VIII piONe W Llc uOW
| hopeless
The man paused and looked straight
at Dorothy. There was something so
hungry and at the same time SO unaf-
fected in his look that again Dorothy
was speechless. He took the picture,
and it lay in his great palm a moment,
and then his fingers closed slowly over
| It, He looked up at her again She
/ had turned away and was nervously
! tracing lines with her fingers on the
| table Il.
II have no excuse to offer for what 1
have DONE" he said, and there was
that in his voice that made Dorothy
look up.
81 realize all the distance between
! us. 1t will do you no harm to let me
have the picture and may do me good"
Dorothy at last found her voice.
II have not let you have it. It seems
to me you have taken it anyway"
You did not say no." replied Nal
com Kirk firmly. Then he paused as If
Il vyO Il