Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-07-18

knew, Of course, that Barbara hao sulr-
ors by the dozen, but it had never oc-
Cured to him that they were even Sc
riously considered. Notwithstanding
the fact that his encounter with The
Censor had brought her into unde-
sirable notice, she forgave him every
thing after moments consideration.
The first few wrenches Of resentment
were overbalanced by her American
appreciation of chivalry, however in
spired. The Censor had gone for
years UNPUBLISHED, his coarse wit be-
ing aimed at every one who had come
into social prominence. So pungent
and vindictive was his pen that other
men feared him, and there were many
who lived in glass houses in terror of
a fusillade. Brewster's prompt and
sufficient action had checked the per-
nicious attacks, and he became hero
among men and women. After that
night there was no point to The Cen
sor's pen. Monty's first qualms of
apprehension were swept away when
Colonel Drew himself hailed him the
morning after the encounter and In
no unmeasured terms congratulated
him upon his achievement, assuring
him that Barbara and Mrs. Drew ap-
proved, although they might lecture
him as matter Of form.
But on this morning as he lay in his
bed Monty was thinking deeply and
painfully He was confronted by
most embarrassing condition, and he
was discussing it soberly with him
self. ave never told her. he said to
himself, "but if she doesn't know my
feeling she is not as clever as think.
Besides, haven't time to make love to
her now If it were any other girl
suppose I'd have to. but Babs-why,
she must understand. And yet-hang
that duke
In order to WOO her properly he
would be compelled to neglect f1nan-
cial duties that needed every particle
of brain energy at his command. He
found himself opposed at the outset by
startling embarrassment, made alb
solutely clear by the computations of
| the night before The last four days
of Indifference to finance on one side
and pampering the heart on the other
had proved very costly. To use his
own expression. he had been "set
back" almost $4,000. An average like
that would be ruinous.
"W-hy, think Of is.' he continued.
"For each day sacrificed to Barbara
l must deduct something like $4,000.
A long campaign would put me ire
trievably in the hole; I'd get so far
behind that holocaust couldn't put
me even. She can't expect that Of me,
yet girls are such idiots about devotion,
and Of course she doesn't know what
a heavy task am facing. And there
are the others-what will they do while
I am out of the running? I cannot 60
to her and say: Please, may l have
years vacation? I'll come back next
SelSariber.' On the other hand,
shall surely neglect my business ii
she expects ME to compete. What
pleasure shall get out Of the seven
millions if l lose her? can't afford to
take chances. That duke won't have
seven millions next September, it's
true, but he'll have a prodigious argu.
ment against me about the 21st Or 22d. .
Then brilliant thought occurred
to him which caused him to ring for a
messenger boy with such show of i'm.
patience that Rawles stood aghast
The telegram which Monty wrote was
as follows:
: Swearengen Jones, Butte Mont:
May I marry and turn all property ovel
to wife. provided she will have me?
: MONTGOMERY BREWSTER.
"Why isn't that reasonable?' he
asked himself after the boy had gone
Making property over to ones wife
: is neither loan nor is it charity. Ok
Jones might call it needless extrava
gance, since he's bachelor, but it,
generally done because it's good bust
ness" Monty was hopeful.
+ Following his habit in trouble, h
I sought Margaret Gray, to whom b
could always appeal for advice ant
consolation. She was to come to hi
next dinner party, and it was easy t
r lead up to the subject in hand by mer
: tioning the other guests.
And Barbara Drew" he conclude
q after naming all the others. The
e were alone in the library, and she wa
d drinking in the details of the Dime
l. as he related them.
d Wasn't she at your first dinner
e she asked quickly.
g He successfully affected mild emha
II rassment.
'e Eyes"
IS "She must be very attractive" Thel
was no venom in Peggy's heart.
d "She is attractive In fact, she's or
J. Of the best Peggy" he said, paving tt
er way
ID Its too bad she seems to care Il
that little duke"
"He's a bounder," he argued.
''Well, don't take 1t to heart. Yc
le don't have to marry him." And Pc
v gy laughed
le But I do take it to heart, Peggy
r soid Monty soriously tT'ro nratty ha1