Virginia citizen. (Irvington, Va.) 1891-1921, 1904-08-12
HER IDEAL
MAN
By OHIO b. SENcA

e-e-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-s-e-s-s-s<o
They were discussing the wedding.
Didn't Tillie look heavenly ?" CRIED
the girl who wrote stories.
very sweet" assented the school
teacher.
"And subdued." added the editor.
laughing.
NO one says anything about the
grooms appearance-or mine," grum-
oied the best man, "and came all the
way from Nebraska just for this wed
ding"
you looked quite like Bostonian.
l assure YOU" said the girl with the
violin consolingly.
AS for Mr.. Adams, he looked lust
as he always does, all bones and
brains" asserted the schoolteacher.
Il admire that type immensely"
The westerner was not tall aud was
somewhat inclined TO stoutness.
My cousin Abe Is an undensably
brainy man." he retorted. But be-
lieye 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.
Il did intend to leave Boston tonight.
but l navetfound that my ranch needs
mistress, shall remain week
longer and hope to persuade some one
TO go with me-
The words were uttered iaughfngly.
but there WIS a significant look In the
keen gray eyes that betrayed his ear
nestness OF purpose. There Were vary
Ing ordinations Of surprise from six
OF bis hearers. The seventh remained
scornfully silent, The others looked
from one to another questionlngly.
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 I'M
nntural 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.
Con we SO tomorrow
After O'clock she replied quiet
~, but her dark eyes met his with a
look OF understanding and defiance, IF
you Will walt until the next day, Sat
urday."
I'VE win go tomorrow" he decided
quickly.
How can you spare the time for
sightseeing. Mr.. ConvcrseT' queried the
artist teasingly. II should think you
would want every hour OF the week for
your wooingr
II shall wnste no time in my sight
seeing" returned Converse. with mark
ed emphasis. land you must under
stand that western wooing Is less
deliberate than is usually considered
necessary I'm New England. There are
no 'supcrtiuous women in Nebraska.
ana with us It's case OF learn your
fate ut once and get out OF the way to
make room for the next man."
80 these are tho famous paintings
OF Puvis de Chavannes." remarked
Converse the next day, bestowing n
very hasty glance ut 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 l want
10 talk with you. You are disappolnt-
ed In me. Eleanor"
Miss Selwyn's pale face flushed pain
fully.
1T was very good OF you. Dick. TO
keep the secret have never told the
others that l knew you before you
went west or OF our silly correspond
ence"
u don't call ii silly" he said stoutly.
"The only foolish thing about 1t is that
! did not come for you long ago. You
were only fifteen when left Vermont.
That Is fifteen years ago. and
"Heavens!' she cried hastily. Don't |
remind me OF my age. An old maid |
schooiteacher. suppose you're think |
ing"
Nothing or the kind. was about |
TO say that I'm all those years 1 have |
never seen any one, who made me for. |
get you. Eleanor. II only you felt the
same toward me-
But don't Dick" depreeatingly; |
'you-you have changed"
mot In my heart. Eleanor"
She opened a small portfolio and |
took out faded photograph "See.
Dick. this IS the man love-
softly. s'-titi Ftil0IG- -
The boy. you mean. must have
been about twenty then. Pretty little
Fellow. wasn't L? Aren't those curling
locks poetical?' ''' f
She put the picture away hastily.
"You had the soul of poet then /"
she cried resentfully.
That is twenty years ago. Eleanor,
ana I've had some hard battles with
the world since then. The poetry is
pretty well battered out OF me. con-
Tess. but you might 60 home with me
ana put some poetry into my life once
more"
1T couldn't be. Dick. You are too
too
SAY It. Eleanor-too fat / suppose
you mean"
Not exactly" desperately, "but Won
are too prosperous and too well safis.
fed
II admit the prosperity and l have
no reason TO be dissatisfied. I really
thought, until l saw you again. TINT !
heeued notningI more to make my life
fuii and complete Now I want you"
Every afternoon and evening for tho
next four days he pleaded. demanded.
es e no po ayH AZ o she ssamssSa
fessed that she was tired-desperately
lired-of teaching, but she was loyal
10 her girlhood's ideal, and he was NOT
inc realization OF that ideal.
When she reached the house on
wednesday afternoon she found In her
room q box Of violets and note from
Converse;
] give u up. Eleanor. was stupidity
prssvmpsuous 20 think you could care for
A TAT, osidheaded ruffian like me. can
hot see you again. IL oil means too much
20 me-and too little TO you. leave ON
the $50 train. ~
ihihk OF me kindly and wear the vio-
leas little while tonight for the sake of
old times Their perfume reminds me OF
the days when together we hunted for {
them In the woods at old Fiin Side Han
no.. i