Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1908-12-16

1doOSdf hoO ANEW IL HE sAlD.
to the fields and to the woods all
aflame with red and gold and breathe
Gods sunshine In freedom and con-
tent
And just then she met Roger Roove.
my, but it's good to see you back
again. he said. Are you on your
way to the settlement"
Eyes," Ruth stated. "tor the last
time"
He looked at her in surprise. "For
the last time! WhyY
"Oh, it's such an eternal grind trying
to drag people up who want to stay
down and trying to keep children clean
who want to be- dirty. trying to push
back waves Of the sea with broom"
"Why. Ruth"-his tone showed his
intense astonishment-"when you left
us in the spring you we're an optimist.
and now you have come back a pessi-
mist! | believe you are joking"
'No. I'm not" Ruth declared I'm
in dead earnest This summer I've
been living up among the hills. and
W ~ ptiCh-A Will W SO DdCh
and forget the city and these hideous
streets. After all. why am l RESPONSE
BILE? Why should not l live life OF
ease as well as other people,"
he shook his head.
"Don't expect me to answer" he
said. "but something has change you
awfully. And you might as well tell
me what it is, because I'm going to
find out if you don't"
well, If you must know" said Ruth
slowly, I've had proposal"
He glanced at her quickly, and his
face took on graver lines.
"Then you're in love-" he asked
quietly
I'm net sure" Ruth reflected,
whether I'm in love. butch. we
can't talk about it here. Rogerv'
mo; it is pretty public" he admit
ted hut haven't any classes for an
hour or two. so why can't we have
lunch together in the settlement cof-
fee house,"
The coffee house. quaint and COM
Portable with its Russian coppers
glowing red against the dark wood. its
smooth brick tiles. its somber tables
and chairs. brought forth an exclama-
ton from Ruth
ITS so good TO be at home again.
she aid as Roger drew out a chair for
her by the window and took seat
opposite.
80 you think OF 1t as homer he
asked, his dark eyes reading her spar
king face
"Oh' her eyes grew startled-"1 be-
lieve | do. A minute ago | was so de-
pressed. and now-I think 1t is the
spirit of the place that rests one. Rog-
er-to feel that these poor foreigners
IAN come here and find something ia.
milar in strange land OF strange Gus
toms"
Roger smiled thOughtfully as he con-
suited the menu. But about that pro-
posal." he reminded her
"Oh. yes" Ruth slipped off her
gloves and folded her hands before
her on the bare table. "The-the man
Is rich, Roger. He has two automo-
plies ana q country place and house
In town. and-and he sent me box of
candy nearly every day. and flowers
and books. and drove me through the
country in his big car. and-oh, l had
the time Of my life. Rogerw
The man eyed her little wistfully.
"Pm glad you had such good time"
he said, "but-but we shall hate to lose
you from here"
"But you can't blame me-" she said
feverishly. Surely you can't blame
me, Roger. I'm young, and I've given
the five years since / left college to
work among the poor people of this
neighborhood. and my heart has been
In 1t. and I've been glad to do 1t, but
now-oh, want something Of ease and
beauty and brightnessv'
He tried to speak lightly.
"You have earned It," he said, land
OF course the man is-Prince Charm
ing"
Ruth shook her head. mo; that's
the trouble" she faltered. "He's not