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

| how absorbed and determined was this
| lovable, young-old woman. She re-
minded him of family friend who
would sit enraptured at grand opera
or concert and yet who could never
strike a single true note or carry a
| tune and who wept because singing
her babies to sleep was a boon de-
| MED.
Remington dropped in to see Wilhel-
nina oftenest when he was sure of
| finding her alone He avoided her din
ners and teas and chatting dish sup
pers. He found Wilhelmina's society
| real inspiration in his work. for
| Remington had a mission. He wished
to transplant to the suburbs of New
York the love Of old English architec-
| ture which he had absorbed during his
year In the English provinces. And
| Wilhelmina not only appreciated Eng
fish architecture, but she seemed In
stinctively to grasp its fundamental
principles.
| Remington had not dared to tell her
how much he had depended upon her
working out his plans for the cottage
| contest In the ladies round the year
| guest" That was why, with triumph
| tightening his heels and Frightening
his eyes, he rushed into her studio one
stormy March day, the letter Of SUI
preme Importance held aloft. And
Wilhelmina sprang up abruptly from
the mass Of pillows on her divan and
tried bravely but Intellectually to hide
her tears.
Remington stopped. joy free-inr on
his lips at sight Of her obvious grief.
"Wilhelmina, what has happened?
Tell me at once"
Daniels sent me home me to
pack up my brushes AMI 20 away.
His class was not for such rs t.
The wretched truth was out nHn-
iels, whose special course at the Il rde-
my was for the chosen few. the few
with money to pay. had trrned her out
money or no money. Like many a
genius, he declined to teach those who
gave no promise.
And Remington realized bitterv that
the blow had been doubly hard because
Of the false hopes raised In this wo-
mans heart by those who had Toasted
at her board.
Like fash from the skies came bis
inspiration.
81 am sorry If you are disappointed,
dear girl" he said, drawing her gently
down on the divan and gripping her
hand firmly in his, "but 1t gives me the
courage to tell you what wanted to
say for long time. VIII you drop
still life and the figure, oils and studio
life-and dig hard into architecture
and interior decoration? That's your
gift. I've known 1t ever since the first
night l stepped into this room and
studied your hangings. And she who
helps to build home is as great as she
who paints pictures for its walls. VIII
your
do you think could really?"
His words had been balm to her
aching ears. She raised those wonder
full gray eyes to his brown ones, and
her lips curved into a smile pathetic
ally brave and womanly. And again
Remington did the thing he had not
anticipated. He bent over deliberately
and kissed the lovely lips.
81 want to be your teacher" he said
gently. mot for few weeks or
months, but always. Why, you know
we've done those cottage drawings to-
} gether and won! Here's the letter.
Wen build one of these very houses
} ON the site l was showing you last
week. In the attic Wen have our
studio. Think of the houses we can
plan there, with the whole Of New
York harbor to inspire us! And some
day when Daniels wants us to design
a house for him We'll laugh and turn
him down"
Donald Remington" she said, stern
ly suppressing the dancing light In her
eyes, do you call this a proposal Of
partnership or matrimonyr'
Look me in the eye and ask that
question again." he said.
Her glance fell before his.
II am thirty-four tomorrow" she
murmured family.
You are the loveliest woman In the
world and the only one for me.
knew that the first time I saw you.
Besides, 1 am of age myself. Will you
marry me tomorrow
II will notv gasped the astonished
Wlhelmina.
why notT argued Remington.
Because / give dinner tomorrow
night to a crowd-and there Is no time
to call It of. 1t was to celebrate the
coming Of Daniels"
Just for an instant the shadow Of re-
greet fell upon her lovely face, and
Remington, seeing II, took her In his
arms.
BLESS the old bear! II he'd pro-
nounced you a g..- -here would I
have beenT