Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1909-05-14
GUESTS FROM AFFAIR.

Elmer Morse WOulu cOlhc.
She quickened her steps. There was
so much to do in those four short days.
No. she would not keep him waiting
A glow of triumph filed her heart.
She had not waited in vain. How many
times she had been told that she was
wasting her years by her constancy.
Even her aunt, with whom she lived,
had expressed doubts of Elmer's faith
fulness. At least, she had told Elinor
that she would do well to think twice
before she let any good chance to marry
slip away from her. And there had
been chances, more especially that
thrifty farmer, John Torrington. 1t was
this middle aged wooer, sturdy and re-
spected, whom her aunt especially fa-
vored.
But Elinor's heart was not to be
shaken in its constancy to her first lover,
the lover who declared himself when she
was still a schoolgirl and who had gone
into the far western wilderness to win
the fortune that was to bring them to-
gether. A chance had been offered him
by a distant relative. He had eagerly
accepted it. He hoped to return in a
year at the latest But fortune was
elusive and five years had passed.
! And is Elmer going to stay here ~
! her aunt asked after she had heard the
monentous tidings.
"Why, yes" Elinor replied.
Here in Clintville?"
"Of course
at isn't much of a settling down place
for a man who has seen the world" her
aunt suggested in her eXasperating slow
way
Elnor flushed
"That is all UNDERSTOOD she said.
elmer knows that I would never con-
sent to leave my old home and my
friends and go away among those wild
strangers"
''Such things have been done,'' said
her aunt sententiously as she turned
away.
| 1t was little early for the train, but
every detail in the simple programme of
welcome had been arranged. The pretty
cottage was swept and garnished; the
appetizing luncheon was prepared, and
now the gentle Elinor. her heart beating
with anticipation, sat on the shaded
porch with her eXpectant gaze on the
road along the willows.
And then she saw a group of men
there were five of them-standing by
the roadside as if not quite sure of their
| bearings. Presently they came forward
and disappeared behind the high hedge
A moment later ElinoT saw them at
the gate One of them pointed toward
the house. Then the gate was opened
and they came up the pathway in single
| file.
1t was quite evident they were strang-
ers. Elinor had time to inspect them
before they reached the porch.
For a moment she was alarmed Were
these strangers the bearers of bad It'd
ings? She quietly arose and stepped
forward.
But. no, they Were smiling as they
halted and drew up in line. And then
every hat came off as if at a concerted
signal.
1t was the youngest man who spoke.
1--WE are friends of the colonel from
Montana, Miss Barnes"
She was down the steps in an instant
Prom Montana!" she cried and looked
at him wildly.
1.-THE colonel is all right, Miss Barnes,
the youngest man hastily answered her
I'VE managed to get here little ahead
of him."
"The eolonel?" Elinor repeated.
"Col Morse" the youngest man ex.
planned
Everybody back yonder calls him
colonel" said the stout man.
Elinor gave little gasp.
''And you--you have come all the way
from Montana ," she cried and put out
both her hands.
He glanced about at his companions.
''Having given you his promise" tho
youngest man resumed, "the eolone
wasn't the man to tell you what he wa:
sacrificing That wouldn't be like him
He wouldn't tell you what foothold HI
had gained out there and what a power
for good he had become and how We
all need him. He wouldn't tell you that
Nature had fitted HIM for a man of ae
ton, a pioneer, a builder. a leader Of
men. He never limited that the confines
of this little town would be to him like
prison bars. And, of course. he didn't
tell you that we want him for our gov
ernor, that our state needs him and thai
he's the only man the friends of reform
can elect!"
He paused and drew a quick breath
The girl was softly crying Somehow
the words of this earnest young stranger
hurt her, and yet they filled her Will
pride.
1T was because Elmer Morse woult
not tell you these things" the young
est man went on, that we are here
We wanted YOU to know the truth. w,
love the colonel and we need him. lady
We have come here to ask you to give
him back to us. And we want you. too.
He paused again, The girl had turned
and was looking toward the roadway.
And then without a word she fluttered
down the steps and the pathway and