The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1911-03-29

| the time that | must have done some
thing. or said something, to give NY.
self away, for a police sergeant came,
too, and had talk with me one day,
and one Of the orderlies was rather In
quisitive, but. SO far as know. moth
ing came Of 1t.
When was discharged from Belle
vue, decided that I'd give up factory
life for time. | didn't tell her SO,
however, and l suppose she believes
I'm still in the same place About the
same time, decided to return from
my labors in the Canadian wilds. and
Gid so, with due ponlp and circun-
stance. still kept up my East Side
apartment, however, and | am writing
to you in it now, having come here
directly from that storm-tossed inter-
view with my Dad. aforementioned.
Well. friend OF my boyhood, chum,
OF my college days, thou Jonathan to
my David. I don't know that there's
much more to tell you. Tomorrow
evening shall drive with her over
to Jersey City. meet Harry, who has
kindly consented to step into your
shoes for this occasion only. and then
continue on some ten miles Or So to Il
small hamlet where country clergy.
man, very worthy and unsuspicious
old soul, Harry tells me. will be await.
ing us. Harry has already obtained
the license without attracting any at.
tention-my real name meant nothing
to the rural officials and no pryinS re-
porter is ever likely to light upon it
and in due course the knot will be
properly tied
| have used the phrase. nay real
name OF course, I'm going to be
married under it.
When we reach Jersey City. I shall
take my future wife into the parlor
OF hotel and reveal to her my iden.
tity and my prospects. shall explain
to her just why have done all this.
and have taken the precaut;on to
gather together certain papers and
documents which will tend to show
that my story is true She will be sur.
prised, possibly even frightened. but.
having agreed previously, SO to speak.
to take me for better or worse-at that
time principally worse-I don't believe
She will change her dear mind. when
she discovers that. contrary to all the
probabilities, 1t IS going to be not only
better. but even best.
As for the future, we will live to.
gether as Mr.. and Mrs. Greening, I'm.
til such time as I can bring the old
man around TO point Of view, from
which he can't discern that Heiress
through even Lick telescope. or I'M.
ti!-but | pray that Dad may be spared
TO me for many years yet--he's only
Il, you know, and as hardy and rugged
as an English oak. But, OF course, she
must put UP with having me absent
from her for long periods at a stretch.
] can't be always exploring Canada,
you<know.
-
Somehow. Jack, when 1t comes TO
winding up this screed, | feel a. strange
reluctance to lay down my pen. I feel
somehow as II I were writing van
farewell letter That's nonsense. OF
course, and yet II Is farewell letter
in a sense-it is the last one you will
ever receive from me as a single man.
Yes. in that sense. 1t is farewell
Jack. dear Jack, wish me well.
We're neither Of US praying men. but
II you ever find 1t in your mind to LIT
UP your heart 10 Whatever Ii Is that
dwells above us in the starry heayens.
don't forget TO put her and me down
in the specifications.
Goodnight, and God bless you.
am embarking. Jack. upon an unknown
sea. Wish me prosperous voyage
down the years"
The Managing Editor laid the last
page down upon the desk, and then
placed his big hand. palm down, upon
the cracking mass. No one spoke.
No one seemed to care to look upon
the man In the chair.
At last, a dull, rumblins sound came
family to the ears OF the silent men
in the little room. The building trem.
bled slightly.
The presses were beginning to run
of the second edition.
The Managing Editor rose to his
feet. He gave few short directions
and his subordinates crowded out Of /
the room, leaving McGinnis on guard. [
The door closed behind the last man.
My God," whispered Dallin. sdid I
You see his face?"
No" said Connors, roughly. II
didn't need to-"
The two men hurried down the hail
after those who had gone before. Al !
the entrance to the City Room. the I
Managing Editor stopped and turned Il
towards Bruce, who was Just behind.
My son." he said. slowly, II am
afraid that is more than a ieyter |or