The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1911-12-14

AZ
E s. mean. 1t would be foolish
&eSW worse than foolish-for
M us to marry and-it is not
because I do not love you,
George" she added, earnestly.
what on earth is necessary-ex-
cept love?" asked the impatient man.
The girl laughed. "Much-much
more" she said. "You admit, for in
stance, that you are absolutely bored
to death in the country, that picnics,
any kind Of outing where you have to
get down to nature Is uninteresting to
you. Even today you chafe under the
discomfort Of having to sit on messy
mound instead Of in a mahogany arm
chair with a leather hassock at your
feet. You would rather hear the clang
of trolley car than the song Of a
bird; you would rather eat six
course dinner in a brilliantly lighted
restaurant with music and the gay
chatter of many companions than sit
down quietly in your own home to a
simple domestic meal with-with
single woman for vis-a-vis. While,
Ewell, set down all the opposites of
the things you live for and you have
what 1 like. Don't you see, George?"
For a time the man did not answer.
He counted the buttons on his CATERS
with the tip of his walking stick.
"Is it as bad as that, girl?" he asked.
"Are we as far apart as that?"
Eleanore nodded while she looked
straight into his eyes. 1--WE are she
repeated, "even as far as that"
"And there we stand-do we?"
"Yes-you in the city with all the
lights turned on you; in the quiet,
peaceful country with only the eyes
Of my family and my friends to see
me and all Of nature to commune
WITH"
1T doesn't look like very happy
prospect for life together, Eleanore.
We're old enough to see that-even In
our 20's-aren't we? But oh" and
there was great longing tenderness
in his voice-"1 do love you. do want
you, DEAR"
The girl turned away. Presently she
rose to go. There was no buoyancy in
her movement. At last, the thing she
had been fearing had come to pass.
They had had their explanation-they
had tried to have an understanding as
to why they could not marry each
other. There was no further hope
that he would tire Of the life she con-
sidered artificial, the life she had been
brought up in and-hated. Always,
she had longed for the country and
when she began to realize that she
loved George Davidson it was with
fading hope that she studied his life,
his fancies, his preferences. He loved
every inch of the merry avenues Of the
crowded cities, every atom Of their ex-
istence
On the way home the man told her
frankly that If he could not have her
If she could not marry, him and take
a chance with it all-he would put her
out of his life. He, manlike, was will
ing to take any chance to have her for
his wife; but then, she explained to
him, he had not given 1t the thought
that was necessary.
"Well, I'll travel" Eleanore told him
when they were parting. II want to
see rural France and Germany and
with you out Of my life, George
might be lonely" she said little visit
fully. She looked hastily away that
he might not see the effort with which
she kept the sparkling tear-drop from
tumbling down her cheek. "And-if
&c., or6-on6
live with my ear en- the trolley track,
I'll-I'll come and let you know. Mean
time, you shall not know where am"
she said, an almost imperceptible
break in her voice. She had tried to
be gay, but she had failed dismally-
and she knew he knew it.
"All right, GIRL" the man said. hold
ing her hand closely in his own. "Since
you're afraid of adding to the long list
Of mis.mates among our friends-I'll
remain as am. I'll have you or no
one, mate or mis-mate. Good-by."
He strobe OF with never look be-
hind and she knew he was gone out
of her life until-"Oh, forever!" she
al said, as she dashed away the foolish
tears that pushed each other from her
eyes.
,True to her word, she travelled. She
yjourneyed here and there and enjoyed
things as only woman of her caliber
+ can enjoy the beautiful, rare old things
! she had read Of and heard Of all her
life.
When she returned to her own coun-
try it was to take up her profession of
! tutofing-but in the country this time.
She found home in the rectory of an
old church. The minister was family
friend, and she went into the family
to tutor his two children with the priv
llego Of having few others during
odd hours In the week.
She spent many happy days with the
.c4Atldren; abe tsught them everything
/ sho know how % teach them, from
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