Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-09-20

could convince her that she was not
destined to be a theatrical celebrity.
y The result was that she returned
her engagement ring with note to
Clyde Grendon, her fiance, informing
him that the engagement was broken
and that she was going to New York
to seek fame and fortune. :
NJ Clyde received her message on the
morning Of the day set for their we'd
ding and spent the ensuing two hours
scheming how to circumvent her
plan.
!. At 1 o'clock he called at the house
where she lived with her aunt and
uncle, and persuaded her to accom-
pany him for q walk to discuss the
matter.
Very little was said after leaving
the house, from where they Travelled to
the shore OF a lake that had been the
scene Of many happy hours.
<Do you know" he began, as she
listlessly sat down on bench, that
you are about to take a step which
you will probably regret for the re-
mainder of your life?"
Il don't believe It," she answered,
without the semblance Of smile that
usually played around her mouth.
"Y gu Just said that to make me change
my mind, but I shall not Other girls
have succeeded, so why shouldn't IL
$50 they have,'' he admitted, "but
they have spent years in study under
the best masters. Even then 1t has
been hard, uphill fight filed with
disbursement and disappointment.
She was silent for moment as she
.plucked the petals Of q rose and the
overhanging branches caressed her
chestnut hair.
II don't expect my pathway to be
strewn with roses" she replied.
anticipate some hard knocks, but
am willing to endure them rather
than throw away career and settle
down to married life. 3.,.
eyes, but you have not the slightest
idea with what you will have to con:
tend, he persisted. you will require
wears of training and will have to
work very hard to pay for the same.
AS a novice you will wander from
manager to manager, only to be met
with smiles and promises that Will
evaporate in the freeze that follows
YOU out the door. Like thousands OF
others, you will be forced Into oftice
work as a means Of livelihood, as
YOU will be too proud to return and
admit failure.
The girl sat with bowed head, seem,
inely drinking in every word.
Clyde produced small plush box
containing the engagement ring, ana
holding it in his outstretched palm,
continued: s,
..When 1 gave you this thought 1t
sealed our happiness. But how little
you must have regarded It When tn me,
silly babble of a thoughtless stranger
could induce you to send 1t back and
renounce the love you once appeared
so happy to possess"
He paused for while. af1ord1ng
her an opportunity to reply. But az
she showed no inclination to do SO ne
resumed:
..'Is this wild dream Of yours prefer
able to my love? Will anybody strive
more than / have to make you happy!
Haven't I wealth and position to offeI
you? And don't you know that when
you 70 you will leave me miserable !
Irene, / can hardly believe that you
are serious. Tell me, sweetheart, ne
pleaded, catching her hand, tell me
that you will be my bride tonight.
She threw away the multilated
flower and slowly raised her eyes.
Clyde she spoke In q tremulous
tone. II know how dearly you love me-
and i appreciate the pains that YOU
have taken to make me happy; and,
although. / am going. away, It is, not
because I do not care for you,, but
for the reason that / have my mind
set on career ! am awfully sorry
that I had to return the ring, but under
the circumstances it was Inevitable:
Perhaps you will meet in time girl
who will teach you to forget me-.
.'But don't you" he abruptly ended
hearing approaching footsteps. $
CLYDE released Irene's hand as
ragged tramp with stubby beard
hove in view and, on coming abreast
Of the lovers, faced them and said:
Excuse me, pal, for butting IN,
but can you help a poor hungry man
to get something to eat? havenst
tasted a bite in two days"
81 am sorry, my good fellow, re-
turned Clyde after searching his
pockets, "but I haven't any change.
Here, take this he added, as i
struck with sudden thought, offering
the box to the wanderer. Il haven't
any further use for it and you can
probably sell it for a tidy sum-"
AS the stranger accepted the gift
Irene sat motionless calmly watching
the proceedings.
The tramp cautiously opened the
box as If fearing q trick and when his
eyes fell upon the glittering stone his
head bobbed back with surprise.
& Gee, but this looks like the real
stuff" he exclaimed. Say, boss, do
YOU mean to say that can have
this?"
eyes," Clyde assured him with a
careless nod. The girl for whom 1t
was purchased doesn't want it.
neither do l."
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