Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-01-18

very delicate. The young lady is the
granddaughter Of the late Horace
Woodruff, in whose shop on Broadway
the silks of the orient were transmitted
into crude. unhandsome, occidental
greenbacks. Nearly all his wealth was
bequeathed to Emily, whose father
holds it in trust until she shall be Is
years old, when she will own it as she
owns the glove upon her hand.
This father Of hers is a man whom
one would expect to seek mate for
his daughter among the much malign-
ed aristocrats Of Europe or the almost
equally unpopular millionaires of our
own country. He is a hard headed
man of business and one who would
have his own way despite obstacles
While Emily Is precisely the girl who
would view with favor a handsome, ro-
mantle, impractical writer of stories,
her father is the last man to consent
to such folly. All who knew of Ro-
land Blake's infatuation regarded his
matrimonial chances to be as bad as
possible. 1t was generally understood
that he had been forbidden to call
Then suddenly the engagement was an
nounced.
ut was as much surprise to me as
to any one" said Roland when I ven
tured to approach>t that subject. IT can
hardly realize it yet. The fact is that
Emily is great girl. wonder. 1t
seems that she has cared for me all
along"
This idea put Roland into a trance,
from which had to wake him some
what rudely.
''Is Mr.. Woodruff cordial?" 1 in
Qulred.
Tolerant" said Roland. II could
hardly say cordial. We had long
talk about my business affairs
'Inexhaustible subject" said I.
"How much do you owe, my SOM"
"Oh, a thousand dollars or such a
matter!" he replied. "But there were a
few personal debts that forgot to
mention to Mr.. Woodruff. He said I
had done mighty well considering the
miserable business was in. Mr..
Woodruff has not, fear, high opin-
ion Of literature.
"But what does oil that matter
now" he continued, his eyes lighting
up with the glow of energy and hope
"Look at this, old man! I've made a
decent success in literature. My stories
go into the good magazines, and there
are a couple of books of mine which
by their sales remunerate the publisher
even If I don't get anything out Of
them, and I've done this against the
worst possible odds.
Worry? Heavens and earth! Why,
any time in the last Ave years when an
idea has got into my brain I've had to
put my hat on to keep the voice of the
creditor from chasing 1t up through the
top Of my head. The luck has been
against me-bad luck in small matters
which is more dire than calamity.
But now fortune has relented. I've
got what l deserve, as, Heine remark
ed when he dreamed that he was the
ruler of the universe. Happiness is in
spiration, and l am full Of it. I'll bet
you hundred dollars to cent that
within this very week write incom-
parably the best story Of my life
something that will really make hit"
His eager hands reached out to clutch
paper and pen, and | rose hastily. Far
be 1t from me to stand idly In the way
of an inspiration.
Speaking of Emily" he said, "of
course You understand that we're not
to be married for year or two. She's
only 20. and-and-honestly, old man,
Is there another living creature like
herr"