Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-28
BY MARY L. PARKER.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Liter
airy Press.)

Lets get married"
It sounds easy and casual enough,
quite as if itswere uttered on the spur
of the moment; but Tom Corbett was
far from easy and casual when he said
it.
He had been framing the proposal
for several months, and the various
glowing sentiments which he evolved
did not. sound anything like the bald
three words which he finally used.
But pretty Mildred Mckay prob
ably saw the volumes of eloquence
pent up by bashfulness in Toms ador-
ing brown eyes, for she said:>
"All right, Tom; let's
Tom didn't know just what to DO or
say next; but it wasn't very long be.
fore he found Mildred in his arms, and
he was marveling how soft and warm
her arms were.
Naturally, after bit. they fell TO
planning about the future and found,
it an engrossing and fascinating pas,
time. -,
@"Uncle Bob will build us a little
house on the lot west of Mr.. Sim
mons's," said Mildred. That's q nice
neighborhood, and you'll be close to
your work" s
will he, Mildred"
4 '.Of course he will; I'll tell him
that I want him to- .,
I: Uncle Bob was a wealthy and child-
less dabbler in real estate, and MIL
dred was his favorite niece. He pala
In various ways for being fond OF
her. From the time she had been !. q
small girl, he was expected to slde
with her against her parents; 70
avert threatened-and deserved pun
ishment: and to help her get her own
way when Mr.. and Mrs Moore
proved unexpectedly stubborn.
They discussed the little house
Uncle Bob was to build, in a good-by
that lasted from the back parlor TO
the front gate, and which consumed
nearly two hours in the saying. The
Question of whether the shingles
should be plain or stained required
caress for nearly every shingle.
When Tom finally tore himself aWaS
from Mildred and the front gate, the
little house had become castle In the
air. He sauntered homeward through
the warm, odcrous spring night, 100
hanpy even to whistle.
The engagement was blushingly
confessed to Uncle Bob. who after a
certain amount of teasing, agreed to-
build the little house. Tom and Nit
bred grayely assumed businesslike
air and spoke Of mortgages and
monthly payments an1b similar pfosy
subjects. Uncle Bob smiled quizzi-
cally at that and made mysterious and
delightful hints about wedding pres
ents.
The little house began to go up in
the vacant lot next to Stmmons's.
Tom went four blocks out OF his Way
to pass it twice a day. mot that suck
a course ever gained him. good look
at it. When he was within a. few
hundred feet. his face began to grow
hot; hep seemed to'have eyes all about
his head that discovered his neigh
bors-elect reering out and smiling at
him So he looked straight ahead with
a miserable assumption of Indifference.
fastened his steps, and almost ran
by.
But the embarrassments OF the day
were almost swallowed up in the de-
lights Of the friendly twilight. Every
evening he and Mildred, and some |
times Uncle Bob. went down to tho
little house and INSPECTED it lovingly.
board BY board. Mildred, sure-footed
as mountain goat-which is
clumsy smile for one so dainty -
about the bare raftera and
even out onto the roof. Together
thew talked over the plans and srg.!
pested minor changes which Uncle i
Bob Faithfully IMPRESSED upon the |
next day.
One evening when they followed
The line of planks that led through |
the hall and parlor to the dining
room. Mildred uttered little cry Of
=
ooh, Uncle Bob" she said, II
lidn't want long window at the /
back Of the dining room. wanted
,ne of those high square ones, a |
buffet window. you know" !,
"This room won't be any too lieht.
suggested Uncle Bob, doubtfully. you !.
see. it's on the north side OF the house,
and I think two large windows are /
what you need.
Tom. hands in pockets. gazed out
he nptv frame Besides with one
If those high windows, Mildred, you !;