Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-11-09

you may think it strange that
should ask you about him at our first
meeting" said the good lady, but
I'm an American, and cannot help
feeling that a fellow-countrynnan's
opinion of a foreigner Is very valu-
able. You are, understand, an old
friend of Miss Donne's, though l have
not had the pleasure Of meeting you
before, and you have probably heard
that she has made up her mind to
marry Mons. Logotheti. am bound
to confess, as her dear mothers old
est friend, that am very apprehen-
sive Of the consequences. I have the
gravest apprehensions. Mp. Van Torp."
Have you, really!" asked the mill
Monaire, with caution. but sympa-
thetically. II wonder why!"
"A Creek" said Mrs. Rushmoee.
sadly. Think OF Creek"
Mr.. Van Torp, who was not without
sense of humor. was inclined to an
swer that, in fact, he was thinking OF
= Greek at that very moment But
he abstained.
There are Greeks and Greeks, Mrs.
Rushmore," he answered wisely.
THAT is true" answered the lady,
"but should like your opinion, as
one Of our most prominent men Of
business-as one who. II may say so.
has of late triumphantly established
his claim to respect" Mr.. Van Torp
bowed and waved his hand In &C.
knowledgment of this high praise. Il
should like your opinion about this
er-this Greek gentleman whom my
young friend insists upon marrying"
Really. Mrs. Rushmore-"
Because II thought there was un-
happiness in store for her would
save her, II had to marry the man
myself"
Mr.. Van Torp wondered how she
would accomplish such feat
indeed" he said very gravely.
II mean IT, answered Mrs. Rush
more.
There was moments silence, dur
ing which Mr.. Van Torp revolved
something in his always active brain,
while Mrs. Rushmore looked at him
as If she expected that he would
doubt her determination to drag Lo-
gotheti to the matrimonial altar and
marry him by sheer strength. rather
than let Margaret be his unhappy
bride. But Mr.. Van Torp said some
thing quite different.
May I speak quite frankly, though
we hardly know each other!" he
asked.
I'VE are both Americans" answered
the good lady. with a grand national
air. II should not expect anything
but perfect frankness Of you"
The truth is, Mrs. Rushmore, that
ever since 1 had the pleasure OF
knowing Miss Dome, have wanted
to marry her myself"
"You!" cried the lady. surprised be-
yond measure, but greatly pleased.
| YES" said Mr.. Van Torp quietly.
"and therefore. In my position, I
can't give you an unbiased opinion
about Mr.. Logotheti. I really can't"
Well" said Mrs. Rushmore, II am
surprised"
While she was stih surprised Mr..
Van Torp tried to make some run
ming, and asked An important ques-
ton.
May ask whether. as Miss
Donnes Oldest friend, you would look
favorably on my proposal, supposing
she were free?"
Before Mrs. Rushmore could an
swer. the door opened suddenly, and
she could only answer by an energetic
nod and look which meant that she
wished Mr.. Van Torp success with all
her excellent heart
TITS quite settled" Margaret cried
as She entered. I've brought the d.
rector to his senses, and you are to
have the rooms they were keeping for
a Russian prince who has not turned
up!"
ITO be continued.N