Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-02-24

VI ShSShS
Dear Sylvia" cit RAM: May I
call at 4 on matter of Importance?
Am sailing at daybreak for Germany
to take up the study of medicine in
Berlin. Please do not refuse me.
Billy"
For an instant Sylvia stood holding
the sheet between trembling, icy fin
gers. Should she see him? All the
fierce resentment and wounded pride
of the past year surged up to her de-
tense; with swift impulse she seized
pen and dashed down single word
and signed it sylvia"
The succeeding hours were the
longest Sylvia had ever spent in her
life, but Chalmers arrived promptly.
She greeted him with her most formal
little manner, effectually screening
wild inward turbulence from his eager
penetrating glance.
Every attempt he made to lead the
conversation into personal channels
was baked by her, and finally Chal-
mers broke out abruptly:
Look hers, Sylvia, the last time
saw you it was an understood thing be-
tween us that as soon as we both
graduated we'd be-"
Have you forgotten-Alline?" she
interposed coldly.
THAT affair was all my mothers
doing. Only recently I learned of the
report in the paper which you must
have seen. went at once to Miss Bees
ter and told her the true situation. She
is to be married in April to another
man. We shook hands and parted
friends. On my word of honor, this is
the sum and substance Of the whole
thing. BY George, Sylvia! who is that
fellow" Chalmers had caught slgh'
Of the panel on the mantel shelf and
the color flooded his face.
Sylvia blushed, too and said fool
ishly Isn't he a wonder?"
"To Judge by the gushiness Of the
press--he isl was the half-disgustet
reply.
"You know him well. of coursc?'
she queried, fencing for time.
ooh, after fashion! Do you?" HI
gave her quick, keen look.
"Only in this legendary sort o
way" and she indicated the pile o
clippings on her desk, her eyes trav
cling comprehensively from one wal
to another where were displayed tn
more or less ludicrous prints 81 SUI
, pose he's a perfect idol of the girls
isn't he?" she asked demurely.
Chalmers grounted. II happen t.
know that he doesn't care a fig TO
but one in the woodland she won
look at him."
"Oh," exclaimed Sylvia, what
stupid she must be!''
Chalmers rose and paced the lengt
of the room, then back again. H
stopped in front of Sylvia's chair; hi
voice had changed when he spoke.
"Is it possible Sylvia, that this fe
low has supplanted me in your est
nationals taken the old, dear
place."
Sylvia laughed constrainedly. 81
, you see," she said, 81 had to hav
: something to keep up my interest
y somebody. Tits sort of fad, 20
e know
Y But if he should come here toda.
:, and ask you to be his wife, would yo
e listen to him."
: suppose-I-should. was tn
very subdued response.
Chalmers bit his lip. Suddenly b
s sat down on the arm of her chair an
e deliberately drew her head aga:I'
e him. Listen, dear" he began g
r citedly. ~ want to tell you a fe
a things about Brown. He had sc
I ious accident last year during one
< the big games and his people didn
. want him to play football any NOR
t. He didn't make any rash promise
d but rather than have them worry,
a took an assumed name"
Sylvia looked up tentatively. h
e eyes now wistful, now dancing-re
lips parted.
II DO you think he did wrong
1, this?"
T. Sylvia shook her head. her bla'
g lashes shadowing the pink rim Of h
cheek.
Sweetheart, II am Brown"
t. "Oh!"
n, He caught her close to his hea
x "Will you cross the ocean with me
It. morrow, dear, or will it require
p longer time to get accustomed
n. Browns IDENTIFY
~ 81 knew it all along" she whispere
o. 81 haven't missed a game. And-and
~ Billy, please let me talk. II thi
y it would be something of distinctic
!, really, to be pointed out as NJ
~ Brown"
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