Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1909-09-23

ance~ MISS Lavinla protested.
Mrs. Briggs shifted. Il guess YOU
wouldn't be dressing up IN those pretty
clothes and wucing your hair Just for
Il business man.
Miss I.avinia hushed and sighed.
"You don't know how manT things
have to look after since got my
money"
10 tell the truth. the search for lohr.
Forbes began to weigh on her. She
realized that with the coming of John
Forbes would end the visits of John
McDermOtt.
McDermott continued doggedly with
his search. He didn't want 10 find
John Forbes. or if he did find him he
hoped that he wuuId hr married. Bu.
if Lavinia Ialimpr wanted anything.
she should have it.
And as I'LL things must have IN rnd.
the time cane when loiIr Forbes was
located in IL small western town.
Its your John Forbes. MI right"
McDermOtl wrote to Miss l.avinia.
"Ic was born in your town and every
thing tallirS. But don't know wheth-
or he is married III find out. leave
Oh Monday for the west"
"pIrasc." Miss Envinin wrote back.
don't look him up. Come out and seq
me before you go-tO supper Sunday
night. if yen will.
1t was the first time that she had in
vited him 10 II meal and her prepara-
tionS were beyond the ordinary. She
had in her days of prosperity hired Il
competent maid, and they brought out
the silver and glass. and when McDer-
mott sat down in The dim. fragrant din
ing room the feast that was set before
him on the old mahogany was of
broiled chicken and salad and delicate
biscuits and Strawberries and cream
and cottage cheese and all The wonder
full gastronomic triumphs of Maryland
cooks
And when he had finished he sat
with Miss Lavinia on the front porch,
Il want to ask you somewhat deli
cate question" he said. out Of the
| silence of the dusk. IF ] find John
Forbes is single. what am to do about
| it?"
81 don't know" Miss Lavinia fall
tered
| McDermott htched his chair forward
slightly.
"You love him very much?" he asked
suddenly.
I'm not sure" Miss Lavinia MUIR
INJURED in the darkness.
well. there's one thing ] would like
to say right here" the little man stat
ed. II wish TO withdraw from the
case. Miss Lavinia."
oh" she gasped. but 1 can't do
without you"
Cant you?" he cried radiantly. do
you mean that you could love me?
I've wanted to tell you how much !
loved you for long time-only there
was John Forbes
"Oh. | didn't dream Miss Lavinia
fluttered.
IT'S more than human nature can
stand" McDermott went on. Ito ex-
pect a man who loves you to go and
bring back another man to marry
you"
"Yes.' she agreed timidly, lit is. l.
think if you wish tive will drop
the case Of John Forbes. Mr.. McDer'
mott"
But McDermott didn't drop the case
He went west and looked up the OLD
lover and found him neither single not
married nor dead. But he was divorced
and of doubtful reputation.
He isn't worth another thought
McDermott said holly when be came
back. And Pm not saying that be
cause I'm prejudiced. either"
well. it relieves my mind to know.
, | the lady confessed. land. anyhow. if
| hadn't tried to find him l wouldn'
have met you-and"-
t You have promised to marry me il
Z October" said her lover triumphantly
$50 who cares for John Forbes or an.
e other man-when you are going to b.
/, | Mrs. McDermott?"