Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1903-05-25
!, THE PASSING OF THE +:
; SUMMER BOARDER
: By TEMPLE BAILEY .
By TEMPLE BAILEY
Copyright. 1902. by 7. C. Mcclure


| Miss fremont did not notice the lack
of enthusiasm. She was used to con-
quests, and she was sure Nellie loved
| her.
She whispered in the girls ear. Her
voice was penetrating, and, as she in
| tended, the clear tones reached the ear
Of the man who stood close by.
when you are married, let me
know, and l will come and dance at
your wedding" was what she said.
Then she gathered up her rustling
skirts and waved her bunch of Ameri-
can Beauties at the pair, and the coach
drove off.
Cornelia turned to the man beside
her.
did you hear what she said?"
! YES" he answered absently, his
eyes on the futtering bit of white veil
far down the road.
well, she needn't have said it.
shan't let her know"
The man turned, his sunburned face
showing his surprise.
81 thought you liked Miss fremont"
$50 did, and do yet, but tell you
now, Dave Clinton, that If mother
takes boarders again next summer
| shall go away and stay" Her voice
was fierce.
| An uneasy look came into the blue
| eyes Of the young farmer.
10 trio f, II a
question easily, but his voice was not
steady.
| She laid her hand on his arm, with a
kind of doubling appeal.
Would you care IL went-if she
was here?'
The man shifted his position uneas-
| lily. II don't see that you are called
upon to ask me that question, Nelie,"
he said.
But I do ask It," Her fingers We're
locking each other nervously. II did
like her." she went on, "for she is so
beautiful, and she interested me-until
you began to notice her
He tried to take her hand, but she
flung herself away from him. Then for
moment there was tense silence.
II love you, Nellie" he said at last.
you don't, you don't! You love her"
she cried passionately. "And wish we
had never seen her" She ran swiftly
up the path and shut the door Of the
house behind her.
That night the family sat down at
small table in the big kitchen. The din
ing room had been restored to it's origi-
nal position as a living room, and the
parlor was closed. The supper Of
warmed over potatoes and eggs, with
one kind of preserve, announced the
return Of plain living.
After supper Nellie washed the dishes
in the big pantry just outside the
kitchen. Her mother was in the milk
room, Swimming, SO when Dave came
and stood beside her they were alone.
whats the matter, Nelie?" he said.
"Are you mad at me?"
She raised her blue eyes.
mo- Dave" she said quietly.
She poured some hot water into her
pan so recklessly that her fingers were
burned, and she uttered an involuntary
cry.
Dave reached over and took them,
red and wet as they We're.
poor little fingers"' he said.
Nelie's eyes blazed. II won't have
your pity. Dave Clinton" Her voice
was hushed, but vehement.
Without another word the man turn
ed away, but she called him back in
whisper.
81 want to see you when I finish. I'll
come down to the orchard seat"
The orchard was spicy with the scent
Of apples, and under the moonlight the
great red globes showed dark in the
shadow of the leaves. Dave sat on
natural bench made by the gnarled
trunks of two old apple trees and
watched Nellie come down the path.
He rose to meet her and put his arm
around her, but she thrust him aside
with little, impatient gesture.
Then she sat down and looked up at
him as he stood in front of her.
''It isn't that I am Jealous" she be-
gan, as if their conversation Of the aft
ernoon had not been interrupted, "but
It's because l can never be the same
to you, no matter If you do think you
love me- You have seen Miss Ire
mont, and now, always, she will be
the most beautiful woman in the world
to you"
"She is a beautiful woman" he as
Eented gravely.
YES and before she came you
thought my hands were pretty-my
little, red, rough hands"-her voice
broke-"and you admired my hair and
the little dresses made myself. am
not blaming YOU" she went on, hut
you had never seen woman like her.
l hadn't, either, and you were carried
away just as l was. But don't you
see that want to be first with youy,
"You are first, Nelie," he said grave
ly.
"But haven't wonderful eyes like
hers, and can't use them us she does.
can't say the right thing as she does
in her soft voice. And her perfumes!
VIII you ever smell violet again,
Dave, without thinking Of her! viii
you?'
He smoothed her hand soothingly and
said nothing.
Ibid you ever see such dresses and
beautiful shoes? l was ashamed all
the time, and wore my best slippers ev-
cry day. She was like rose-one OF
fha hip hoo ,,tif,,] rospQ that We're Gent