Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-03-11
better decide. II this weather is 2

better decide, II this weather is go
ing to stay"
| without, the low hills were taking
on a tender greenery. and two robins
made love under the window. Miss
Anne, being young and wholesome
and pretty. was pulsing beneath the
call Of spring-and William was talk
ing about blowing! .
whatever you think best, William. "
And then, suddenly turning her dark
eyes full upon him: What did you
really want to see me about William"
Douglass grasped and floundered.
Then, rising, he placed little pack
age Of papers In her hand, and said:
Here's a statement OF things-of
your money and stocks and your farms.
I'm going TOTO leave, Miss Anne"
The old clock in the hall tick
locked of ages Of silence. Douglass
kept his stubborn glance on the sun
shiny landscape beyond the broad
window Miss Anne studied the top
Of her little slipper. 2
Going away" she said at last, as
If to herself. "You are really going
to leave us. Why, William"
"It's private matter. Pd-well
I'd rather not say, Miss Anne
"Is it salary, William? You know
I've tried to make you take more
NO" returned Douglass, decided
ly. "I'm paid more than I'm worth,
now"
"But you've done splendidly, Will
lam. When we hired you as mana
ger. mother and, / had no idea of bur-
dening you with our financial affairs,
too. And now we're depending on
you to make our investments"
cts all right, Miss Anne. I've
liked to do it,"
Uncle Robert says you've made us
richer than ever. And share of that
is yours"
NO" said Douglass, and he meant
1t. 1T isn't money"
I'm sorry said Miss Thornton,
togeth-" If William had not been
so busy watching the love-making
robins he would have noticed little
blush tinge his employers cheeks as
she substituted: ':Everythings been
to harmonious"
II know, Miss Anne. That's what
makes it hard to 60. never can
thank you for your kindness. Those
papers will explain things to the new
civilian" interrupted Miss Anne,
''please sit down again. I want your
advice-for a friend. You're not go
ing to leave us right away"
ooh, no; I can stay for-for little
time" =,
"Thr.e months - four months"'
The girl leaned forward eagerly
"We-ell, hardly think so. | want
to get established before the summer
is too far advanced
"Oho." A pause. 80 you're going
into business"
"Ye-es; that is, think so"
"Is that SO personal that you didn't
want to tell me?" There was an &C.
cusing emphasis on the me"
Douglass, did not attempt to answer.
zone of my girl friends doesn't
know just what to do, William. You
see. she's-she's-in love-"
Z "Oh!"
"That oh was dfeadfully 10ncom-
initial, William. Aren't YOU inter-
ested?"
"Why, yes, certainly. Miss Anne"
.'Well, she doesn't know whether
the young man isis in love with
her or not
Cant she tell
"She isn't sure. She thinks he likes
her, but" }a#
( "Yes?"
"oh, there are complications, Will
liam. She Is rich, and the young man
is poor. She feels he's too proud to
speak,
ooh"
"Well, what is she going to do?
She's-she's cried herself to sleep.
I'm afraid a good many times; and
yet there doesn't seem to be any way
to make him speak"
William looked up. The dark eyes
gazed innocently and perplexedly in
to his own.
There isn't any way I'M afraid,
he said with an unconscious sigh.
III the man has self-respect, he can't
be fortune hunter. He must make
his own way before he can ask the
girl to be his wife"
"She's thought OF that, too. But 1t
seems so foolish! They may have to
walt years, anu grow Olu dHu VIII.
cred while he makes lot Of money
they don't need. Isn't marriage an
equal partnership? Why hasn't the
wife the right to bring money to the
union as her husband?"
From an impersonal standpoint,
she has, replied William, "but If l
we're that young man 1 would feel
as he feels. He cannot in honor
speak while his motives could be
misconstrued. Her friends would
say"
'Bother her friends!" Miss Anne
looked confused when she realized
the emphasis she had put on the
three words, but only for moment.
Then she added: That's the way
she feels. She says she has right
to her own happiness. no matter
what people think or say. She is
satisfied he is not a fortune hunter;
that he is upright and honorable,
and the man nature intended as her
mate. Why can't he be sensible and
speak?"
She leaned forward in her chair,
her lips dropping in childlike per-
plexity. Douglass got up hastily and
backed away. He did not want to lose