Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1904-08-18
HER IDEAL
MAN
BY OHIO b. sENcA
Copyright, 1901, bp 7. c. McGure

They were discussing the wedding.
Didn't Tillie look heavenly" cried
the girl who wrote stories.
every 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, wed
ding"
"You looked quite like Bostonian,
I assure you," said the girl with the
violin consolingly.
sAs for Mr. Adams, he looked Just
as he always does, all bones and
bra1ns," asserted the schoolteacher.
Il 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 adipose tissue over the
bones is not Incompatible with intel
tectuality."
"Do you return to Nebraska at once,
Mr.. ConverseY' interposed the artist
practically.
81 did intend to leave Boston tonight,
but I have found that my ranch needs
mistress. 1 shall remain a 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 EXPLANATIONS 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 1t is not I'M
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 O'clock" she replied quiet
~, but her dark eyes met his with a
| look Of understanding and defiance, III
you will wait until the next day, Sat-
urfay."
| 1--WE will go tomorrow" he decided
quickly.
GLOW can you spare the time for
sightseeing, Mr.. Converse7" queried the
artist teasingly. II should think you
would want every hour Of the week for
your wooing."
II shall waste no time in my sight
SEEING" returned Converse, with mark
ed emphasis, "and you must under
stand that western wooing is less
deliberate than is usually considered
necessary in New England. There are
no 'superfluous women in Nebraska,
and with us it's case Of learn your
fate at once and get out Of the way to
make room for the next man."
$50 these are the famous paintings
of Puvis de Chavannes," remarked
Converse the next day, bestowing a
very hasty glance at the mural dec
orations at the Public library. '"They
are doubtless all that you have said Of
them, Eleanor, but they really have
little interest for me Just now. I want
to talk with you. You are disappoint
I ed in me, Eleanor"
I Miss Selwyn's pale face flushed pain
fully.
ut was very good Of you, Dick, II
keep the secret. I have never told thu
others that knew you before yot
went west or Of our silly correspond
, ence."
Il don't call 1t silly" he said stoutly
"The only foolish thing about 1t is tina
> did not come for you long ago. 70,
were only fifteen when left Vermont
That is fifteen years ago, and"-
! "Heavensy' she cried hastily. "Don'
} remind me Of my age. An old mail
schoolteacher, suppose you're think
8 Ing"
Nothing of the kind. 1 was abou
to say that in all those years hav
! never seen any one who made me fol
!, get you, Eleanor. If only you felt til
same toward me-
But I don't, Dick" deprecatingly
"you-you have changed"
r mot in my heart, Eleanor"
y She opened small portfolio an
b took out faded photograph. Use
{ Dick, this is the man love-"
Z He looked at it curiously and laughe
s softly.
o 1.-THE boy, you mean. must ha,
:. been about twenty then. Pretty lit
) fellow, wasn't I? Aren't those curlir
q locks poetical?"
II She put the picture away hastily.
g You had the soul Of poet then
. she cried .resentfully.
THAT Is twenty years ago, Eieane
and I've had some hard battles Wi
the world since then. The poetry
pretty well battered out Of me, co
,el fess, but you might 60 home with Z
1T and put some poetry into my life on
" more"
OfI AVA ~. NIT 49,