Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-29

"Then you haven't forgotten me"
Dimples, long absent, flashed for an
instant at the corners Of her curving
mouth.
"You know that haven't" he re-
preached "But-but what in the
world are you doing here? can't
associate you with the city. l always
think of you as--as the fairest flower
in Cola"
"Still the same reckless fatterer."
Mason eyed her analytically. He
noted, too, with an inexplicable sense
of loss, that she took this chance
meeting lightly-too lightly for one
who had ever, Cared. He had more
than half imagined that this girl was
waiting for him to come back and
marry her.
"You are stopping in the city,"
There was half resentful touch to
the words.
20 my, yes. 1 have been here al
most year"
Living here?"
Didn't you know? Papa has out
grown Cola. He is now the partner
of Uncle William in a small tile manu-
factory in Haverstraw. We live In the
city"
His eyes approximately summed up
the fashionable coat. the expensive
furs, the modish hat. Truly, she was
"a changed Faith.
II am glad to hear that you have
prospered.'
The girl laughed.
II hear you are one of the little
gods of Wall street." she quizzed.
"Was," he corrected simply.
A sudden look of concern crept into
the eyes OF the girl. This money
panic is hurting you, them?
II am just struggling along with
my head above water. It will be q
miracle If don't go under before
the week is over" He raised his eyes
to those OF the girl and noted with a
peculiar feeling Of loss that his con-
fession had not even seemed to hold
her interest, She was looking be-
yond him, the slight smile still curv-
ing her lips.
"Your fiancee?' she asked softly.
Does she know Of this?"
Mason stared. The girl from home
knew much about him for one who
seemed little interested. Then sud-
denly he remembered that the papers
had been full of his approaching nup-
tials, and that Faith had been long
in the city.
"Mjss Wendall is not interested in
bur 81" observed Mason.
reart, however. he knew that
chances would be extremely slim for
winning the millionaire's daughter, II
his own fortunes waned.
II Just wondered" came from the
girl.
She did not explain to him that
Margaret Wendall, whom she knew
~ sight, had passed just behind him
and within sound of his voice just as
he was confessing doubt in his ability
to weather the financial storm.
Regretfully, Mason extended his
hand. The soft touch OF her fingers
in his sent the hot blood pounding
into his heart.
II must leave you now" he said.
Then, hoarsely: "May-may not
call on you--later?"
"Listen!' The face of the girl was
now strangely pale, and q new light
had come into her eyes-something
old Faith. Il do not care to see you
again, Will, unless" She loosened
her hands and stepped back from
him.
"Unless." Mason caught up the
word eagerly. He felt that he would
promise anything. everything. The
spell Of his old love-the love that
he had never quite culled from his
heart was upon him.
Unless you need me. When you
do come to me-and not before. My
address -Forty-ninth street"
Because Of this, possibly, he took
the bad news that awaited him at his
offlce bravely.
He's certainly game one" NUT
tered the clerk upon whom the task
OF breaking the news had devolved.
why, he's busted to the last dollar,
and he actually smiled"
Extras were on the street announc-
ing his financial collapse before he
left the ofice-and still Mason
smiled. He smiled when he strobe
up the broad steps leading to the
house Of his fancee, nor did the note
awaiting him there-saying, "You
may consider our engagement at an
end"-disconcert him one whit
Tomorrow shall see Faith" came
from William Mason, bankrupt Il
wonder II she will give me the gift l
shall ask OF herr"
He spoke Of the love that he had
abandoned. and, repenting, was to
ask Of her again.
Babies Stranolcd
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