Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1907-10-16

than her erStwhile boarding school
teacher would have deemed possible,
Cor Rettas strong point was not learn
ing. She was just sweet little girl,
womanly and tender, with a careless
shrinking from responsibility, engen-
dered By her entire freedom from such
But now her heart was aroused, and
she was aghast with horror at the idea
of Alf, her own ALI, going down Pan
anna way to endure all sorts Of tor
ments and dangers and finally die Of
the dreadful fevers! He should not!
He should not! She would prevent it
somehow. and it must be done at once,
for he would be making arrangements
to leave his business, even this minute,
perhaps!
She rushed away to consult her
mother. but that good lady, being deep
" engrossed in some charitable func.
ton, was out indefinitely, and Retta,
feeling NO time could be wasted, deter
mined to act for herself. Perhaps IL
she had mad the advice of an older
head she would have been less pre-
cipitate and irrevocable in her actions.
I'm moving clean swath, burn
ing my ships behind me-" she COM
mented confusedly, in the middle of a
tempestuously busy afternoon in which
she did some very unconventional
| things.
Il suppose it does look curious to
| them; suppose the bride to be's moth
err is usually to the fore and the b. % b.
J hangs bach in blushing confusion, but
/ can't whit on mamma when Alf's
getting ready this very minute for
Panama way. I've got to fix it SO
there's no getting out of it and leave
me rag of-and I don't care much if
they do stare-and guess I'm sure Of
dear old Alfv'
! Yet she was bit anxious as she
waited in convenient spot for way
laying him rs he left his office. Tiff
ALI were bent and determined on Pan
anna way, she would be in pretty pre-
dicament! She whipped around the
corner, apparently oblivious of him I'M
til she almost collided with him. Then
| her heart sank at his grave and formal
apology. He had been more deeply
hurt and offended than he had shown
| the evening before when she had in
sisted on further postponement, bnt
she must-she caught her breath as he
said coldly:
81 am glad to meet you. 1t will
save my coming up this evening to tell
you
And I'm glad to meet YOU" she
broke in, laughing nervously. II want
| to tell you that Twelve changed my
mind, ALI"
Changed your mind?" he repeated
blankly.
"Yes, about-about''-it was harder
than she had imagined with his cold.
unresponsive eyes upon her; what II
he should-she quaked, but plunged or
| -"about our wedding-and we won,
postpone it, after ALL"
| He flushed angrily as he replied,
] "You were not asked to change your
| mind-nor the arrangements you made
last evening""
"You mean that you don't want to
that you won't now" she cried, with
wide eyes.
II mean that you are not to be com
PEELED, influenced. When did you see
Charlie?" And between his teeth he
muttered savagely, "Just wait till ]
! see himw
II haven't seen Charlie to speak to
since yesterday morning" she declared
and burst into bewildering torrent
of explanation and tears. "Oh, If you
won't, ALT; if you've changed your
mind and don't want me now, when
| I've found out how much ] want ycu--
| If you won't-I'll have to run away
| For, oh, ALT, went alone and bough:
the dress--and took it to madame's and
was measured-and I've ordered all the
invitations-and engaged the caterer
and the flowers, adjust as we plan
ned-because | wanted to show you
how much / care" Sobs that she
struggled to repress choked her.
"And you haven't seen Charlie-nc
one has influenced your" he demanded
incredulously.
mo one has said word to me about
| 1t! IL found out how much / really
cared, and / couldn't get ready fast
| enough, though mamma was away
| and had to do 1t Alone" she painted
impetuously.
He melted entirely @7ou dear little
whirlwind! You have smashed the
proprieties" he breathed softly and
proudly. II wish"-he glanced about
furtively; no, it was too public! "Any.
way we can have an hour at the store
selecting our furniture"
And, tucking her hand under his
arm, they wandered away down the
primrose path" the journey down
Panama way entirely and forever for
| gotten.
Strenc.a In Vegetable Growth.