Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-04


! picion that her intention was to shield
herself behind her friend.
Why this horrible misgiving had
crept upon him he could not tell He
loved her with his whole heart and
soul, and daily he deplored that, while
he lived in bachelor luxury in artistic
chambers, and with every whim salts,
fed, she was compelled to toll and
drudge in London drapery store He
wished with his whole heart that he
could take her out of that soul-killing
business life, with all it's petty jeal.
ousies and it's eternal make-believe to.
wards customers, and put her in the
companionship of some elderly gentle
! woman in rural peace.
But he knew her too well. The
mere offer she would regard as an in
suit. A hundred times she had told
him that, being compelled to work for
her living, she was proud of being
able to do so.
Charlie, her brother, he could not
understand He had just made a re-
mark to that effect, and she hal
asked
why? He's awfully good to me.
you know. Lots of times he sends
me Unexpectedly five pound notes, and
they come in very useful to girl like
me, you know. l dare say, she laugh
ed, you spend as much in a single
evening when you go out with friends
to the theatre and supper at the Sa-
voy as | earn in a month"
That's just it," he said. "I cant
understand why Charlie, in his posi-
ton, secretary to one of the wealthiest
men in England, allows you to slave
away in a shop
He does so because l refuse 10
leave was her prompt answer II
don't care to live on the charity of
anybody while l have the capacity to
work My parents were both proud
in this respect, and take after them,
suppose"
'That is all to your credit, dearest"
he said "but l am looking forward
to the future. love you, as you well
know, and I can't bear to think that
you are bound to serve at Cunning.
tons from nine in the morning till
seven at night-Waiting on a set of
old hays who try to choose dresses to
make them appear young girls
She laughed, her beautiful face
turned towards his
Aren't you rather hard on my sex
MAXI she asked. I'VE all of us try
to present ourselves to advantage in
order to attract and please"
"All except yourself, darling" he
said courteously "You look just az
beautiful in your plain black bust
ness gown as you do now"
'That's really very sweet of you,'
sha said cp,ilipc Tbop 10 70,
a serious look overspread hel
worry yourself over me, Max dear.
am very happy. I have your love
What more can I want?'
"Ah! my darling" he cried, rising
and bending till his lips touched hers
those words Of yours fill me with con
tentment. You are happy because
love you! And I am happy because
have secured your affection! Yo,
can never know how deeply I love
| you-or how completely l am yours
Ny only thought is of you, my vel
beloved; of your present life and o
3 your future. have friends-men O
the world, who spend their time a
clubs, at sport, or at theatres-whe
scott at love. l scott with them some
times, because there is but one love
in all the world for me-yours!"
Yes she said, slowly fixing hel
eyes upon his, and tenderly strokins
his hair But sometimes-sometim
am afraid Maxi"
Afraid" he echoed. afraid O
what?"
'"That you cannot trust me-"
He started Was it not the uncon
scious truth that she spoke? He hac
been doubling her all that afternoon.
Cannot trust you!' he cried
What do you mean? How very fool
ish."
But she shook her head and Sigh
sigh escaped her. She seemed to pos
sess some vague intuition that he die
not entirely accept her statement re
garding Maud. Yet was it, after all
very surprising. having in view the
fact that she had admitted that Mau,
had made confession. 1t was thu
truth regarding that admission on the
part Of the Doctors daughter that hi
was hoping to elicit.
Marion he said presently, in F.;
low, intense voice, Marion, l low
YOU If | did not trust you, do 70,
think my affection would be so strons
for you as it is?'
She paused for moment before re
plying.
THAT all depends she said. "Yo1
might suspect me of double dealing
and yet love me at the same time"
''But l do not doubt you, darling,
he assured her, at the same time plac
ing his arm around her slim wais
and kissing her upon the lips. 81 low
you; surely you believe that?"
= Yes, Max, 1 do she murmured
81 debut T.
But what?" he asked, ookin
straight into her fine eyes and wait
ing for her to continue.
She averted his gaze, and slowly
but firmly disengaged herself from hi
embrace, while he, on his part, wor
dered
She was silent, her face pale, and i
her eyes look of sudden fear
Tell me, darling" he whispered
"You have something to say to me-
is not that so?"
He loved her, he told himself, a
truly as any man had ever loved
If was only that ono litt1