Smyrna times., 1904-08-10
HER IDEAL
MAN
By OHIO B. sENCA
Copyright, 1901, by T. c. Mcclure

Very sweet assented the school
teacher.
And subdued," added the editor,
laughing.
mo one says anything about the
groom's appearance-or mine" grum-
bled the best man, land came all the
way from Nebraska just for this we'd
ding
"YOu looked quite like a Bostonian.
l assure you," said the girl with the
violin cOnsOlingly.
''As for Mr.. Adams. he looked just
as he always does, all bones and
brains." asserted the schOolteacher.
i admire that type immensely"
The westerner was not tall and was
somewhat inclined to stOutness.
My cousin Abe is an undeniably
brainy man." he retorted. But be-
lieve me, Miss Selwyn. some slight
covering of adip0se tissue over the
bones is not incompatible with intel
tectuality."
do you return to Nebraska at once,
Mr.. Convcrse?" interposed the artist
pacifcally.
Il did intend to leave Boston tonight
but have found that my ranch needs
a mistress l shall remain week
longer and hope to persuade some one
TO go with me-"
The words were uttered laughingly,
but there was a significant look in the
keen gray eyes that betrayed his ear
nestness of purpose. There were vary
ing eXclamations of surprise from six
of his hearers. The seventh remained
scOrnfully silent The others looked
from one to another questioningly.
When eight young women have lived
together for year and one of the num-
Der has just departed with the bless
ing of the pastor and the shower of
rice devised by Satan it is not un-
natural for the others to wonder,
"WhO neXt?"
You promised to show me the beau
ties of the library, Miss Selwyn," said
Converse. turning to the silent one
"Can we go tomorrow"
After l O'clock" she replied quiet
ly, but her dark eyes met his with a
look of understanding and defiance, ''if
you will wait until the next day, Sat
urday."
I'VE will go tomorrow" he decided
quickly.
"How can you spare the time for
sightseeing. Mr. COnverse?" queried the
artist teasingly. Il should think you
would want every hour of the week for
your wOOing."
Il shall waste no time in my sight
seeing" returned Converse, with mark
ed emphasis, "and you must under
stand that a western wOoing is less
deliberate than is usually considered
necessary in New England. There are
no 'superfuOus women in Nebraska
and with us it's case of learn your
fate at once and get out of the way tC
make room for the next man."
$50 these are the famous paintings
Of Puvis de Chavannes," remarked
Converse the next day, .bestOwing {
very hasty glance at the mural dec
Orations at the Public library. "They
are doubtless all that you have said O.
them, Eleanor, but they really hav,
little interest for me just now. l wan
to talk with you. You are disappOint
ed in me, Eleanor"
Miss Selwyn's pale face flushed pain
fully.
1T was very good OF you Dick, t
keep the secret. l have never told th
others that l knew you before yo1
went west or of our silly correspond
ence"
Il don't call it silly" he said stoutly
"The only foolish thing about it is tina
did not come for you long ago. YO
were only fifteen when left Vermont
That is fifteen years ago. and
Heavens she cried hastily. Don
remind me of my age. An old mai
schOolteacher. suppose you're think
ing"
Nothing of the kind. l was aboJ
to say that in all those years l hav
never seen any one who made me fo
get you, Eleanor. If only you felt tn
same toward me-
"But 1 don't. Dick" deprecatingly
'you-you have changed"
mot in my heart, Eleanor"
She opened a small portfolio an
took out a faded photograph. "Se
Dick, this is the man | love"
He looked at it curiously and laughe
softly.
''The boy, you mean. I must hay
been about twenty then. Pretty HIT
fellow, wasn't /? Aren't those curlir
locks poetical?"
She put the picture away hastily.
you had the soul of a poet then
she cried resentfully.
That is twenty years ago, Eleano
and I've had some hard battles vii
the world since then. The poetry
pretty well battered out of me. co
fess but you might go home with n
and put some poetry into my life on
more"
ut couldn't be. Dick You are too
too
Say it. Eleanor-too fat, I suppo
you mean"
mot exactly" desperately, 'but v