The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-10-07

Mr. James went west nearly eight
years ago in the quest of adventure and
wealth. His family is prominent in
Iron City, Mich. With considerable cap
ital at his command he engaged In
mining and has been remarkably sue
cessful He is % years old. Because of
lack of opportunity while younger Mr..
James was unable to complete his edu-
cation. He has been attending school in
Salina during the past year, and leaves
this week to return to mis- mines in New
Mexico. He came near taking Mrs.
Willis with him as his bride. 1t was
almost a settled fact that they were to
be married and spend the honeymoon
In Florida. The plans were made By
Mrs. Willis, and Mr. James would have
been more than delighted in helping
carry them out, and would have done
so had he not listened to the advice OF
friends.
The day Mrs Willis left the National
hotel of Salina with Mr. Elliott Mr..
Jane was in his room writing poetry to
dedicate to his intended" He suspect
ed all was not right at the time. but
was willing to give her a chance to
prove herself true to him. Her elope-
ment with Elliott and her subsequent
marriage proved his alarms true and
he is now thanking his lucky stars.
Mr.. James met Mrs. Willis at I~7us-
ic store in Sal-na while she was here
on a visit from Lindsborg. She was
known to him for several weeks as
MISS WllutS. W nen she atlerWard dis
closed the fact that she had a husband
living, but gave the impression that as
a former wife of her husband had
claimed him she was free to marry. She
claimed she had an elegant home in
Topeka and that upon the settlement of
an estate she would be left wealthy
Several visits and pictures were ex-
changed between Mr. James and Mrs.
Willis. Her recent pictures show a
change from those taken when she was
fr-rr rfr1
Willis.
A letter which Mr. James received
from Mrs. Willis dated September 3.
gives a GLIMPSE of her married life as
she described it to Mr. James:
MRS. WILLIS LETTER.
''Lindsborg, Kas., Sept. 3. 1902.
Dearest Jimmie:
Il viii now try and write YOU few
lines this cold morning. Say. we were
1Ollied just about right when we got
home. They all said If I was a girl and
could not have a fellow bring me home
after taking me any place I would stay
at home OF course they were Joking.
well, sweetheart. l hardly know how
to express my feelings. I am com
pletely puzzled. l do not know what tc
do and say I have great lot to say
to you that is. if you mean what yor
are saying. 1t is rather hard to not
doubt a Salina boy (can you guess whai
mean2) for / know what kind of z
place Salina Is. Now my dear Jimmie
love you dearly, ana II we are only
near and dear friends ! love you Just
the same. I cannot help it, and I an
willing to accept of your proposal.
L have been bordering many things
reviewing the past. looking forward K
the future and trying to see the mean.
ing, the purpose running through tn,
tangled web OF life We don't either o
us believe that chance directs our course
in tAis world 1t was not then chance
that brought us together at the musii
store a short time ago. Since that tim,
we have had many opportunities of be
coming acquainted. Chance l do no
think has worked all this.
Nor is it chance. dearest. that opened
my eyes to find in you my ideal of per
feet manhood.
The brief happiness that has beer
mine is a memory. sacredly cherishe,
for it's own sake. But the disappoint
ments, the struggles and the sorrows o
my life have served only to prepare m
to appreciate the nobility, the sweetness
of your nature and my own need o
you. Darling, 1 love you with the deer
unchanging love of matured woman
hood l long for protection and to b
cherished by one I love as dearly as
do you. And sweetheart, remember tina