Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1900-11-07
hurrying down the street to catch .

hurrying down the street to catch .
car. He felt strangely exhilarated.
She certainly was remarkably pref
ty girl. And somehow the remem-
brance Of her looks softened the
thought of the ordeal through which
he had just passed.
He called the next evening and found
that the precious nickel was still I'M
discovered. Miss Leslie had been too
busy to make the promised search.
And yet Rupert staid on through the
evening-and there had never been an
evening in all his recollection that
could compare with it. When he start
ed to go, the elderly lady suggested
that he might like to come up Sunday
evening and accompany them to
church. And the bashful Rupert ac-
cepted the suggestion without a MUIR
muir.
On the way home from church on
one never to be forgotten evening the
elderly lady had suddenly startled Ru-
pert by inviting him to dine with Miss
Leslie and herself.
And so Rupert enjoyed the most de-
lightful meal that ever was eaten-but
the nickel did not turn up.
Pretty soon he began to call without
being specially invited-and after lit
tie while he never alluded to the nick
ell. Sometimes he felt quite dazed by
his good fortune and by the remark
able assurance he displayed in accept
Ing it. Yet he was a shy lover still.
He asked no questions; he took every
thing for granted-much as If he were
living through delightful dream and
feared he would awaken if he moved.
Why, it was a fact that he didn't even
know the lovely girls full name. She
was Miss Leslie to him as to the house
hold, and he could invent many delight
full names to call her when he was
not at her side.
One evening, it might have been six
weeks since the memorable day he
lost the nickel, he was with Miss Les
lie in the little reception room at Mrs.
Morgan's, for that was the elderly
lady's, name.
Suddenly the sweet gray eyes looked
up at him.
81 have found the Nickel" said the
gentlest of voices.
"Have your" cried Rupert. Then his
voice changed. Really" he went on,
II don't believe Pm half glad over its
recovery. 1t brought me such wonder
full luck, you know, the day it disap-
peared."
"Then you do not want it," she soft
ly questioned with blush.
al am not as anxious about it as l
was" replied Rupert.
'Then." said the gentle voice, 'why
not give it to meW
Rupert started.
eff dared" he muttered.
"Dared whatY asked the young wo-
man.
To Rupert's ears it sounded like a
defiance.
''This is madnessr' he murmured.
He caught Leslie's hand. "Will you
be my wifeY'
She dropped the yelling lashes over
the bright gray eyes.
IL accept the Nickel" she stam-
mered and blushed as she said 1t and
gave him the other hand.
A little later she drew him toward
the mantel.
Rupert" she said, you're the vic
tim of mild conspiracy. knew you
that very first day. knew the nickel.
told auntie who you WERE"
"You knew mew cried the dazed Ru-
pert.
Il knew all about you through Ira
cy's glowing praises. ! am Leslie
Grant, Tracy's sister,"
"What!' cried Rupert, sinking into a
chair. ''Tracy's sister? Then you
knew about the nickelY
81 knew all about it," said Leslie de-
murely. "And then, too, we had your
photograph. Look here"
She reached behind the clock and
drew the portrait into sight.
Rupert gazed at 1t with a dazed ex-
preston.
EVEN put frame of gold on it," he
murmured.
"On your portrait" laughed Leslie.
"No," said Rupert solemnly; ION the
nickel. "-Cleyeland Plain Dealer.