Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-08-02

. . .
upon the window-seat, her back to the
light. u am glad you feel that way.
II-I-think am growing more sensi.
BILE too. / have begun to understand
how practical father was, and how
ridiculous l was. Perhaps l am not
so 1mpulsive-you see. am years
older now--pehraps am more selfish.
I don't know which 1t Ia and---I can't
express my feelings, but have had
sufficient time since you went away
to think and to look into my own soul.
Really have become quite intro.
spective. OF course, my feeling for
you Is just the same as 1t was, dear,
but IL can't" She waived a
graceful hand to indicate her surrounds
ings. We'll, this is my world, and
am part of 1t. You understand, don't
you? The thought of giving it up
makes me really afraid don't like
rough things" She shook herself and
gave voice to a delicious, bubbling
little laugh. 81 am frightfully spoiled"
Emerson drew her to him tenderly
''My darling. understand perfectly,
and I love you too we'll to take you
away from 1t all; but you will wait for
me, won't your"
|
''As long as you wish"
"But I am going to have you!" he
cried, insistently. "You are going to
be my wife" He repeated the words
softly, reverently: MY wife"
She gazed up at him with a,puzzled
little frown. What bothers me is
that you understand me and my life
so we'll, while scarcely understand
you or yours at ALL That seems to
tell me that am unsuited to you in
| some way. Why, when you told me
that story Of your hardships and all
that, listened as II 1t were play or
a book, but really it didn't mean any,
thing to me or stir me as 1t should. II
can't understand my oN , failure to
understand. That awful country,
| those barbarous people. the suffering.
the cold, the angry sea; don't grasp
what they mean. was never cold, or
hungry, or exhausted. well 1t Is
fascinating to hear about, because you
went through 1t, but why you did it,
how you felt"-she made gesture as
| If at loss for words. EDO you see
what l am trying to convey?"
| Perfectly, he answered releasing
her with little unadmitted sense OF
disappointment at his heart, II sup-t
pose 1t is only natural"
II do hope you succeed this time"
she continued. II am growing deadly,
tired Of things. Not tired Of waiting.
for you but am getting to be old; I
am indeed. Why at times | actually
have an inclination to do fancy-work
the unfailing symptom. Do you re-
alize that am twenty-five years odd"
age Of decrepitude! And more
glorious than any woman In the
world" he cried.
There was dick outside the
library door, and the room, which un-
noticed by them had become nearly
dark, was suddenly hooded with light.
The portieres parted, and Wayne Way
land stood in the opening.
"Ah, here you are. lEiy boy! Haw-
kins told me you had Returned"
/ He advanced to shaka tbs. s9lHr 9:
mans hand, his demeanor gracious
and hearty. welcome home. You
have been having quite vacation.
haven't you? Let's see. it's two years.
isn't it,"
Three years." Emerson replied.
Impossible! Dear, dear, how time
flies when one Is busy
Boyd has been telling me of his adj
ventures" said Mildred "He is go
ling to dine with us"
Indeed" Mr.. Wayland displayed no
great degree of enthusiasm. And
YOU returned, like Pozarro, laden With
all the gold Of the Incas? Or did
Pizarro return? It seems to me that !
he settled somewhere on the Coast. :"
The old man laughed at his own
conceit.
II Judge Pizarro was a better miner
than l." Boyd smiled. There werej
plenty Of Esquimau princes whom 1
might have held for ransom, but II I |
had done so, all the rest OF the tribe
would have come to board with them. :"
"Have you come home to stay?"
mo, sir; shall return in a few
weeks"
Mr.. Wayland's cordially seemed toi
increase in some subtle manner.
"Well, I am sorry you didn't make
a fortune, my boy. But, rich or poor.
your friends are delighted to see you.
and we shall certainly keep you for /
dinner. am interested in that
J Northwestern country myself, and +
| want to ask some questions about it"
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