Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-03-09

truant children bent on self-made
holiday. The place they had reached
was just outside the northern boundar.
les Of Harlem. sylvan spot still sun-
spoiled by the rude invasion of the
! flat-house builder. The land thickly
wooded, sloped down sharply to the
water, and the perfect quiet was brok-
en- only by the washing of the tiny
surf against the river bank and the
shrill notes of the birds in the trees.
Although 1t was late in October the
day was warm, and Shirley soon tired
of climbing over bramblc entangled yer.
dure. The rich grass underfoot looked
cool and inviting. and the natural slope
of the ground affording an ideal rest
ing-place, She sat there, with Jefferson
stretched out at her feet, both watch
Ing idly the dancing waters of the
broad Hudson, spangled with CLEANS
of light. as they swept swiftly by on
their Journey to the sea.
Shirley" said Jefferson suddenly
II suppose you saw that ridiculous
story about my alleged engagement to
Miss Roberts. l hope you understand
that it was done without my consent. .
"IfI did not guess It,, jeff" she an
swered, your assurance would be suf'
ficienr. Besides" she added what
right have / to object?'
But want you to have the right,
he replied earnestly. I'm going to
stop this Roberts nonsense in away
my father hardly anticipates. I'm just
waiting chance to talk to him. I'll
show him the absurdity Of announcing
me engaged to girl who is about to
elope with his private secretary"
A "Elope with the secretary?' ex'
claimed Shirley.
Jefferson told her all about the letter
he had found on the staircase. and the
Hon. Fitzroy Bagley's plans for run.
away marriage with the senator's
wealthy daughter
ITS a godsend to me-" he said glee
fully. Their plans is to get married
next Wednesday, I'll see my father
on Tuesday; I'll put the evidence in his
hands, and I don't think" he added
grimly, hell bother me any more
about Miss Roberts"
4 $50 you're not going away now"
said Shirley smiling down at him.
\ He sat UP and leaned over towards
her.
II can't. Shirley, simply can't" he
4 replied, his voice trembling. "You are
more to me than dreamed a woman
could ever be. I realize 1t more forci
bly, every day. There is no use fight
4 Ing against it. Without you, my work
lmy life means nothing
4 Shirley shook her head and averted
her eyes.
4 Don't let us speak of that, jeff
she pleaded gently. II told you l did
not belong to myself while my father
was in peril
."But / must speak of it," he inter
rupted Shirley, you do yourself an
injustice as well as me. You are not
Indifferent to mel feel that. Then
4 why raise this barrier between US p"
4 A soft hight stole into the girls
eyes. All, it was good to feel there
was some one to whom she was every
thing in the world!
] Don't ask me to betray my trust
jeff she faltered .'You know | am
not Indifferent to you-far from 1t
But Il"
He came closer until his face nearly
i touched hers. -
/ Il love you'll want you" he muir
INJURED feverishly. give me the right
to claim you before all the world as
my future wife!' tti a
Every note Of his ssichi manly voice
vibrating with impctuous passion
sounded in Shirleys car like soft
caress. She closed her eyes. A strange
feeling of languor was stealing over
her. mysterious thrill passed through
her whole body. The eternal enevi
table sex. instinct, was disturbing, for
the first time, a woman whose life
had been singularly free from such In
fluences. putting to flight all the calcu
llations and resolves her cooler judg-
ment had made The sensuous charm
of the place-the distant splash of the
water. the singing of the birds, the
fragrance of the trees and grass all
these symbols of the JOY of life con
spired to arouse the love-hunger of the
woman Why after all, should she not
know happiness like other women? She
1 had sacred duty to perform, 1t was
true: but would 1t be less well done
because she declined to- stifle the
4 natural leenings of her womanhood:
Both her soul and her body called out:
LET this man love you, give yourself
to him, he is worthy of your love"
Half unconsciously. she listened tc
his ardent wooing, her eyes shut, as
The spoke quickly, passionately, his
breath warm upon her cheek:
Shirley. offer you all the devotion
a man can give woman Say the one
word that will make me the happiest
or the most wretched Of men. Yes OF
no! Only think well before you wreck
my life. love you-f love you! | will
wait Tor You if need be until the crack
Of DOOM Say-say you will be my
wfe!"
She opened her eyes. His face was
bent close over hers. Their lips al
most touched.
eyes, Jefferson" she murmured, q
1 do love you"
i His lips met hers in long, pas
sionate kiss. Her eyes closed and ar
ecstatic thrill seemed to convulse hel
i entire being. The birds in the trees
overhead sang in more joyful chorus
i in celebration Of the betrothal.
CHAPTER XIV
r T was nearly seven O'Clock wher