Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-08-08

they had spent most of their time COS.
siping over fancywork, their equally
monotonous- looking husbands, the
timid, pale young daughter Of one Of
the women, who giggled and blushed
whenever anyone spoke to her, a dap
per young man who cracked jokes for
the benefit of the whole table, lame
old man, a near sighted old lady that
reminded Eliza Of Mrs. Saunders, and
buxom Mrs Benson Brown-these
filled the table.
After Eliza had been introduced to
everybody present she sank back into
her chair with a feeling Of disappoint-
ment.
"Why, he isn't here" she thought
II couldn't even pretend he was that
silly young man that makes jokes;
besides he and the pale little girl seem
quite taken with each other. OH"
Eliza started. Opposite her was a
vacant chair. A serious looking, tall
young man, with keen gray eyes was
Just taking his place there, and Mrs.
Benson Brown was saying:
ooh, Miss Morgan, this Is Mr.. Will
bur-
"How do you do Miss Morgan" said
the man. his face lighting with a smile
Of friendliness. Sorry I'm late, Mrs.
Brown"
Eliza breathed more easily. and the
next day she mentioned "a very pleas.
ant young man--about thirty-1ve /
should say-whose name is Wilbur"
in her letter to her aunt, and a few
days later she wrote to Molly Dobson
Of walk in the park she had had with
Mr.. Wilbur, the incest man you ever
saw"
The weeks passed quickly with
Eliza Each other she wrote home
contained some reference to Mr.. Will
bur. Once he had bought her book
she had given him the money for 1t
AMI had asked him to get it, but she
did not mention these facts; again he
had brought flowers, and she shud-
dered when she wrote this down, Tor
it was true. There were brief refer
ences to real conversations between
the two. and long accounts of imagin-
airy talks and excursions together.
Finally. ELIAS friends in Dayville re.
ceived word that she and Mr.. Wilbur
were engaged.
There are still three months to
break it in" thought Eliza.
1t was three or four days after Eliza
had announced her engagement She
had come down stairs to look for let
tiers on the hall table, and sat in Mrs.
Browns dimly lighted parlor reading
them. They were half a dozen-all
letters Of good wishes and congratula-
lions. IT know you'll be happy; it's
lovely to be engaged" wrote Molly
Dobson. Eliza trembled guiltily as she
read them She left her uncle's until
last, but finally she tore 1t open.
IF you are sure he is the right man,
dear child, I am glad. But don't
make mistake; you seem so far
away from everything and everyone
that you are used to and know. Don't
do anything you will regret later"
Eliza buried her head in one Of Mrs.
Browns sofa cushions with a sob.
Don't do anything I'll regret" she
repeated. ooh, how wicked I've BEEN"
Then, suddenly Eliza realized that
what she was crying for was that she
and Mr.. Wilbur we're really not en-
gagged.
Eliza heard footstep by her side
and looked UP into the grave eyes OF
Mr. Wilbur.
why, you poor Httle gill Ho Sa!u
gently, kneeiing down and putting his
arms about her.
Don't cried Eliza, pulling herself
free. ooh, you mustn't" and she
rushed past him into the hall and up
to her room. Once there she locked
the door and set to work to write
confession.
"I must tell you" she wrote. al.
though you will hate me when you
know. can't explain why. but /
wanted the folks at home to think me
engaged; and wrote them that | was
engaged-to you. l never thought 1t
mattered until found that | cared
and that you do, too. don't ask you
to pardon me; and as I shall never
sec you again, shall never have to
know how much you despise me for
it. l am going home to tell them that
my engagement is broken
The next day Eliza, pale and tired.
arrived unexpectedly, at the station at
Dayville.
Hello. Miss Morgan said the sta
ton man. as he helped her with her