Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-12
THE EVENING STORY. =
IN A SUMMER HOUSE.
BY Mabel Clair Smith.
C0Dvrioht 1Q1O NV Associated Litera

J .
| BY Mabel Clair Smith.
Copyright 1910 by Associated Literary
! Press
| Burton Kuhl srugged his shoulders
with amia1le surprise when he reali-
zed what storm of obje lions he
had brought down on his head by the
simple announcement OF an important
happening.
what fuss you are making
Grace!" he interposed, hastily taking
advantage of nome ntary pause in
the flow Of eloqHence. Really, one
would think I had committed crime
in daring to engage myslf to the
darest girl in the world. Your only
objection to Miss Floyd, as I under
stand you, is her profession. Well
what's the matter with it. A doctor
it handy person TO have around,
think I'd trust my life in Esther's
hands good deal quicker than in the
hands of some masculine practition-
ers l could name"
Mrs. Trevelyn sighed eXpressively
and elevated her eyebrows.
Cant you understand" she cried
vehemently. That's just why you
should not marry herr Just think
what sort OF home you'd have with
wife riding around the country at
all hours of the day and night, at the
call of anybody and everybody! She
can't be true woman when she de-
liberately chooses profession like
that I'll warrant she hasn't spark
of taste in dress, either I can't I'M
| Il ohn
hard to be disappointed IL an only
brother" she mourned.
ooh, NONSENSE frowned Burton.
Esther wouldn't keep up her prac,
tice after we were married, of course
At least, not to the extent of answer
ing night calls. wish you'd look
at the matter in an unprecedented
light, Grace I never interfered with
you and George, though | knew all
the time that he was as poor as poets
usually are and never would amount
to row Of beans. You've had time
enough to find that there's plenty
of truth in that, reckon. If 1t were
not for the little dowry you brought
him fancy life would be work-a-
day job for George instead of his
present easy, rhyme-making exist,
ence Why can't you show the same
generous spirit toward me?"
"The two cases are quite unlike
Burton." flashed his sister, with an
indignant toss of her head. George
and get on beautiful, together
and we are both home-lovers. He
likes to write poetry and like him
to do it. If so little of it is published
it isn't because it lacks merit, I'm
sure. for all the rejection slips say it
isn't. I'm thankful that George
doesn't have to go away from home
every day and slave in some hot
stuffy Office
"Well, each for his or her hearth
stone!" yawned Burton, gathering up
his reins and lightly feeling the bit
81 wish you would call on Miss Floyd
though. Grace. She would like tc
know you, I'm sure. Perhaps she
could prove to you better than that
lady does not have to relinquish
! femme graces and accomplishments
to become member of the business
world"
"When I do it'll be red-lette1
day. Burton Kuhl!'' claimed Mrs
Trevelyn Il suppose you're riding
over to call on her this afternoon
eyes I'm going to take Esther to
! look over Woodlawn this afternoon
/ If she likes the place mean to buy
! it for our future home. We shall be
near neighbors of yours then, Grace;
two miles and half between the
two places Better make up your
mind to be sister to u.s.
you'll know it when l do nodded
| Mrs Trevelyn, as she tossed him
rose and watched him canter out OF
sight down the dusty road:
Left alone, the little lady returned
to her fancy work in the hammock
at one end of the cool porch and
pondered the disturbing news Burton
had brought. She sighed restessly
and finally bundled up her fancy
work and stared thoughtfully at the
tips of her white-slippered feet.
al wonder whether the girl has
small feet and hands?" she unused
with dubious shake of her head
Suppose she is a big, awkward crea
ture with wide smile and grip
like p mans! Suppose she has q
loud, hearty voice and compelling
manner which nobody dares resist!
Just suppose poor Burton has been
fascinated by muscular Amazon
and means to make her my sister-ir
law, Horrors, If George wasn't
busy composing new poem I'd run
up and ask him if he knows what
sort of person this DR.. Esther Floyd
lis. George hates to be bothered when
he's writing, so I recon I'd better
not interrupt him. Oh, dear! l wish
I knew how she looks! I shan't have
bit of peace until find out. know
lid go call on her this very after
noon if Burton hadn't made such a
to me- It's Just the sort of house
Burton likes, though" she added, as
Everything looks seedy and mildewy
danr gown of a male yellow shade