Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-06-21

no mind to fuss with the old lady.
But, secretly, she did want to see his
house. She had In the back Of her
head notion that a strong. inde.
pendent man with q house Of his own
might not be bad to marry. She had
no idea Of wasting her youth In de.
partment store-she intended TO
marry.
And as for Gene; he had become
fond OF the girl. He was, at times,
sure he wasin love with her. But he
was by nature deliberate--he never
hurried thing. She would get &C
Quainted with his mother. 1t even
entered his head that, If she should
care TO him and would marry him,
Aunt Molly could have her little
house moved to corner OF his lot'
and he and his girl wife could nave
their "old folks" under their eyes.
He was born son.
He noticed that Ebe Fisher was be-
coming more and more frequent,
more and more serious in his attell-
ton to the girl. 1t awakened his sense
of rivalry. And, though he hardly
knew it, he was sorry for Suzanne.
He wanted her to have chance to
be quiet at home, to dress her halr
like real woman instead or nalr-
dresser's dummy, to stop chewing
gum, and talking pert nonsense at
every man in her path. He wanted 10
protect her-even from herself. ne
finally decided to ask her to marry
him. and to see if she loved him. HIS
mind dwelt on her bright eye, her
little, wistful smile. She was SO sweet
and young-he was sure her fiippancy
was a mere matter Of working IN
store. He did not like the fippancy,
but he though 1t would vanish when
real love came to her. Inese thoughts
were subconscious.
One warm evening late in May ne
wandered over to her little house. IL
the coast was clear he would tell her
ait his heart, and, bordering these
things, he entered the small green
yard with it's old-fashioned flowers,
and went upon the little porch. lie
knocked but no one answered. he
could hear Suzanne talking In the
kitchen, her voice raised as In argyll
ment. but he did not hear the words.
He knocked again more loudly, Win
no response. Then he carelessly
enough sank down in the old rocker
and waited on the porch. Probably
she would come out in minute ana
find him and he would tell her.
Then, without warning he heard
door fly open, and stream OF
words come thick and fast. He did
not mean to listen, but he was SO
he ha doing
so until it was all over. The girls
voice was sharp and angry.
mo" she said, II won't ask Gene
to fix it; and can tell you right now
that you can keep out of the way When
he comes! Do you think he comes 20
see you? What's eatin' on you, any
how, Aunt Mollie? Well, II l 40
marry him-and I shall If he asks me,
and he will-you can bet you needn't
think you'll live with us. Nor his
| mother, either! I'm no such fool US
that. If do look easy. What you take
| me for? | shan't keep any old ladies
home. and If he's countin' on that hes
got another guess comin's to him
I'm payin' you board, but don't need
any chaperon. He's asked me over
| to see his mother. I'll go, but | pet
if we're ever married she can come
over here and live with you. That VIII
be close enough for mother-ln-iaW,
an"
Without a word Gene rose, went
down the path, and out at the gate,
and straight home.
He did not go near her again. One
day she asked him if he was mad"
He said that he was not and asked
what made her think of such thing
But his manner was final thing. The
next day she told him she was en-
gagged to Ebe Fsher-she met Gene
on the street, and stopped him with
her news, her head very high.
"Oh," he said. II shall nave TO
wish Joy to you-and the lucky
man" But in his heart, Gene knew
that he himself was the lucky man.
DR.. Shallenberger:
In answer to your inquiry. will say
that my piles are entirely well and
have been ever since you treated me
in 1905. have recommended several
| to come to you.
1 h Il