Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-12
The Greatest Serial of the Day.
Copyrighted by G. w. Dillingham; Co
BY CHARLES KLEIN AND ARTHUR HoRNBLow.

go downstairs and prepare for dinner.
Shirley said she would remain on
deck little longer. She was tired of
walking, SO when .4er aunt left them
she took her chair and told Jefferson
to get another. He wanted nothing
better. but before seating himself he
took the rugs and wrapped Shirley
up with all the sol.etude of mother
caring for her first born Arranging
the pillow under her head, he asked:
SIS that comfortable"
She nodded, smiling at him.
You're good boy, jeff But you'll
spoil me"
Nonsense he stammered as he
took another chair and put himself
by her side. CAS- if any fellow wouldn't
give his boots to do little job like
that for you"
She seemed to take no notice of the
covert compliment. In fact, she al
ready took it as matter Oh course that
Jefferson was very fond of her.
Did she love him? She hardly knew.
Certainly she thought more of him
than of any otter man she knew and
she readily believed that she could
be with him for the rest of her life
and liked him better every day. Then,
too. they had become more intimate
during the .ast few days. This trouble,
this unknown peril had drawn them
together. Yes, she would be sorry
| If she were to see Jefferson paying
attention to another woman Was this
love? Perhaps
These thoughts were running
through her mind as they sat there
side by side isolated from the main
herd of passengers, each silent, watch
| ing through the open rail- the foaming
water as it rushed past Jefferson
had i zen casting furtive glances at
his companion and as he noted her
serious, pensive FACE he thought how
pretty she was. He wondered what
she was thinking OF and suddenly in.
spired no dou,L by the mysterious
powe. that enables some people to
read the thoughts of others, he said
abruptly:
Shirley, can read your thoughts.
You were thinking of me-"
She was startled for a moment but
Immediately recovered her self pos
session. 1t never occurred to her to
annd then replied:
"You are right, jeff, l was thinking
of you. How did you guess?"
He leaned over her chair and took
her hand. She made no resistance.
Her delicate, slender hand lay pas
sively in MS big brown one and met
his grasp frankly, cordially. He
whispered:
what were you thinking of me-
good or bad?'
i Good, of course How could think
j anything bad of you?"
She turned her eyes on him in won
/ derment. Then she went on:
81 was wondering how girl could
distinguish between the feeling she
has for man she merely likes, and
the feeling she has for man she
loves"
Jefferson bent eagerly forward SO as
4 to lose no word that might fall from
those coveted lips.
i "In what category would l be
placed?" he asked.
u 81 don't quite know" she answered,
j laughingly. Then seriously, she add
ed: JEFF. why should we act like child
rem? Your actions, more than your
words, have told me that you love me.
4 have known it all along. If have
appeared cold and Indifferent it is be.
cause" she hesitated.
/ "Because?" echoed Jefferson anx-
iously, as ig his whole future depended
on that reason.
Because l was not sure of myself
!, Would it be womanly or honorable
on my part to encourage you unless
felt l reciprocated your feelings
You are young, one day you will be
! very rich, the whole world lies before
you There are plenty of women who
would willing give you their love-"
"No--no!" he burst out in vigorous
protest, ''it is you | want, Shirley, you
alone"
Grasping her hand more closely, he
went on. passion vibrating in every
J note of his voice. 81 love you, Shirley
|, I've loved you from the very first
evening met you. I want you to be
, my wife,"
, Shirley looked straight up into the
: blue eyes SO eagerly bent down or
: hers, so enteating in their expression
, and in a gentle voice full of emotion
she answered.:
! Jefferson you have done me the
greatest honor man can Go a woman
Don't ask me to answer you now.
like you very much-I more thai
like you. Whether it is love I feel fol
, you-that have not yet determined
Give me time. My present trouble
: and then my literary work."
81 KNOW" agreed Jefferson, tina
this is hardly the time to speak o
r such matters. Your father has frs
call on your attention. But as to you
!. literary work do not understand
: Simply this. am ambitious.
4 have had little success-just enough
to crave for more. | realize tina
t marriage would put an extinguishe
: on all aspirations in that direction.
u rs marriage SO very commonplace?
J grumbed Jefferson.
Not commonplace, but there is n
a room in marriage fer woman havin
personal ambitions of her own. Ono
:. married her duty is to her husban
and her children-not herself"
/. That is right" he replied; "bu