Audubon County journal. (Exira, Iowa) 1884-1993, 1911-09-14

her heart as she furtively watched
him striding down the street, his tall
form towering above the other men
II hate him-how / hate hint" she
cried with sudden passion as she
turned back to the room.
So it was whispered about that the
invulnerable Dick Foster had sue
cumbed to the wiles of Ann Rose and
that she had sent him to join the
great army of the rejected. People
shook their heads and prophesied dis
aster for witching Ann.
She'll meet her match some day."
they told each other and finally the
remark reached AIMS ears When
she reached home she locked herself
in her room and drenched her pillow
with tears.
Several months afterward Dick Eos
ter came home, browner, graver, big
ger than ever, but he did not go to
see Ann Rose until she sent for him.
~ want to hear about the war;"
she said as she shook hands with
| him
There wasn't real war; so there
Is nothing to relate" he smiled down
at her
Ann didn't like that detached
smile. 1t savored of Indifference to
her own charms and she had noted
it before in other old suitors when
they had come to announce their en-
gagement to another girl.
Il suppose you will stay home
now" she suggested as she gave him
a cup of tea.
II must" he said frankly. I'm
going to be married, you know, and
there's lot to do beforehand"
Congratulations" returned Ann
Rose without an instant's hesitation.
rs it to be soon?"
Thanks On the nineteenth of
next month";" answered Foster prompt
ly.
He arose and set his cup and sau-
Ger on the table. Again he was look
ing down at Ann in that curious, de-
tached way and she was conscious
that he saw her paleness and that
he noted she had grown thinner dur
ing his absence This vexed her
proud spirit and she spoke with
added vivacity.
You will give up your nomadic-
life now and become staid reporter
or an editor-or something like
that?"
He laughed uneasily. "Oh, no, I
think not We shall travel wherever
my paper sends me. l believe l am
to be ordered to Turkey before long
She drew a sharp breath. Turkey!
The most fascinating country in the
world. How long" she paused and
bit her lip angrily.
TITS likely to be hot at this sea-
SON." Foster covered her embarrass-
ment
Ann Rose stood there, a brave smile
on her face, telling herself that all
the tortures she was undergoing were
merely the justly deserved punish
ment of coquette. She remembered
the stern warnings of a maiden aunt
who made her home with the Roses
and she knew that the prophecy had
been fulfilled
You'll suffer yet. Ann" Miss Laid
law had groaned dismally. "Just
think of all the estimable young men
whom you have driven to drink or
suicide"
why should / think of them?"
Ann retorted Indignantly. Not one
man has ever been driven to ruin
through love of me nor has one ever
committed suicide"
Ann Rose, you are shocking-it is
almost er-sacrilegious to speak of
marriage in that manner!"
But Ann had wickedly laughed and
fitted away out of earshot, but not
soon enough to miss hearing her
aunt's prophecy that one day the flirt
would fall in love with some man
who would break her heart.
"Fiddle-de-dee 1 have no heart y
muttered Ann Rose over he. shout
der and had promptly forgotten all
about the incident until it came back
to her this evening as she faced Dick
Foster and heard him say that he
was going to be married.
The door opened suddenly and Mr.
Rose thrust in an excited red face
framed in white hair.
Did you ask to see me. Foster?'
he demanded hurriedly.
a For answer Dick reached forth q
long arm and dragged the astonished
banker into the room.
Yes, sir" he said respectfully.
Ann and love each other and want
to get married. What do you say,
= sir?"
). Like flash his arm was about
;, AIMS swaying form and he caught
her close to his heart rs he faced
Mr.. Roses surprised. but not dis
!, pleased face Ann chung to his arm.
= What do ! say, Ell? Well, say
that any respectable young chap who
can catch my butterfly deserves to
: keep her. Now I've just ten minutes
y, to make that Chicago train and the
car is at the door" He wrung Dicks
hand, patted his shoulder and then
kissed his daughter hurriedly. He
dashed from the room to once more