The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1907-08-15
The Only Woman
1 He Could Ever Love.
TOriginal.1

[OriginaLl
When we became engaged, Tom told
me that he never could love but one
woman as a wife should be loved and
l was not that woman. She was his
first and only real love-Bertha Tinter
ton, with whom he had fallen in love
when he was nineteen and she sixteen.
Tom was then poor, and Bertha's ia
Their wouldn't let her marry him. They
drifted apart, and when Tom proposed
for me he hadn't heard of her in years,
but he had the honesty to tell me just
how he felt about the matter. I was
very much distressed at his confession
and would have refused him, but was
very fond Of him and accepted him
hoping to grow into the place that
Bertha Tinterton hadn't left vacant.
A year ago, after business troubles,
Tom showed signs Of breaking down.
He needed something to divert his
mind and set it running in an entirely
different channel | took him off on a
i trip but it didn't seem to do much
| good l Invited people to the house
especially young people. Indeed, had
number of pretty and attractive girls,
hoping that Tom would get up firta-
ton with one of them. But, whether
his young love still remained or wheth-
er he was satisfied with me, he failed
to become entangled with any Of them.
l was in despair. He was getting no
better and l didn't see any way to
rouse him.
One day saw notice in the society
news that Miss Bertha Tinterton was
| visiting an intimate friend Of mine.
wondered if she would take hold of
Toms mentality and turn it in health
Ter channel. For some time felt that
l couldn't bear the idea Of bringing
love with another, was more to me
than sick, and after hard struggle
called on my friend, met Miss Tinter.
ton and invited her to dinner. didn't
say anything to Tom about it before
hand, for l didn't know how he would
take the matter, and he might spoil my
plan.
When the evening for the dinner ar
rived and the two lovers met, looked
for Tom to show some nervousness
especially at first He looked at Miss
Tinterton strangely. Don't you know
me?" she asked, coloring. Certainly
replied Tom, coloring. I'm Bertha
| Nsy,+o 11oy
muchy' Every little" But Miss Tin
terton was rather skinny and over
dressed, and-well, she looked Ok
maidish. But she was the only woman
that Tom could ever hove as woman
should be loved, and if she could walk
! him up that was what wanted of her
Tom is a reserved man, and
+ couldn't tell just how she affected him
but it seemed to me the meeting mad
, him sadder than ever. 1t must be tn
realization of all they had lost in hav
ing been separated in their youth
However, had entered upon the plal
and resolved to give It a thoroug
trial. invited Miss Tinterton to max
us fortnight visit. She gladly az
cepted.
Il Though could not tell exactly ho7
Tom felt at this reunion with his los
love, l could plainly see how the lad
: felt. She lost no opportunity Of draw
: ing Tom away in hooks and corner
and when with him used all those art
. women use tn attracting men, brint
ing her eyes especially into constar
play. l left them alone great dea
and when entered the room whe,
they were always found them sittin
q very near together. Just before til
J. visit was ended Tom suggested th,
9 the time Of her invitation be extende
/ Then felt sure that whether Il
reunion resulted in benefit or n
Miss Tinterton had renewed her gr