Warren sheaf. [volume] (Warren, Marshall County, Minn.) 1880-current, 1912-05-09
GIFT or THE
GROOM
By OLIVE ROBERTS BARTON
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Literary Press.J

Copyright, 1911, by Associated Literary Press,
Eric Prescott stood at the window
of his little real estate Office in Ford
port. He had opened it in the fall
and now it was spring.
He looked at the landscape COM
placently we'll pleased with himself
for various reasons. In the first place,
coming from the south, he had shiv-
cred and shaken all the cold north
ern winter; but the warm May wealth
er suited him. The freshness OF
everything, the little yellowish green
leaves, the smell of the alilacs and the
songs of the birds made Fordport
more like home.
Another reason for his felicity was
the little Office and the row OF six
nearly completed frame houses half
block down the street. He could see
the latter from his window. The out
side work had been done before the
rough weather and the inside during
the winter months. Nothing remained
to be done but the trimming, paving
and one extra coat of paint on each.
Eric Prescott was engaged to be
married to Rose Marshall, the belle OF
Fordport. When he had settled in
the village eight months before Rose
was engaged to marry Tom Lyle.
The minute he saw Rose, Eric made
up his mind to have her. The fact
that she was engaged to Tom Lyle
was nothing to him.
Few girls would have been proof
against the siege he Immediately laid
to Roses favor. His southern accent
and excellent taste in clothes, which
set off his tall slender figure, made
him favorite with all women.
Eric showered gifts Of candy, roses
books and music on Rose, who re
fused them all at frst-then accepted
a few flowers reluctantly and finally,
overwhelmed with many attentions
succumbed completely. Then she an0
Tom quarreled and that was exactly
what Eric wanted. They were soor
engaged and Rose was seemingly hap
py. She was the envy of all the Ford
port girls.
The corner house in the row was
to be hers when they were married
Eric gave her to understand that be
fore she had accepted him. She joked
at home about loving the house as
much as she loved Eric. s&
The house began to look different
from the others in the row. The
porch was extended around the side
and
other porches.
Rose, busy with her trousseau, ap
peared to be very happy and the we'd
ding was month away. She seldom
saw Tom Lyle. He was spending
most of his time now at the farm
half mile from the village. She con.
graduated herself that she had es.
capped life OF monotony in the coun.
try. Town life suited her.
One day she met Tom driving two
strange men toward the farm He
seemed to be explaining something
to them and merely nodded at Rose.
She went home thoughtfully. He ev1.
IDENTIFY was not unhappy.
The day following this meeting
with Rose, Tom hitched his little
black mare to the runabout and drove
over to see his chief councillor and
confessor, Aunt Polly Goodwin. She
was taking nap" in her sitting room
when Tom drov0in at the gate.
What news, Tommy? Sit. right
down here. Now tell me-is there
much coal on the farm?"
yes, Aunt Polly, acres of it they
man."
Bless your heart, Tommy said
the old lady, wiping her eyes with the
corner of her apron. II am so glad,
so glad for you.''
Thanks, Aunt Polly, but riches do
me little good now" he returned
little bitterly.
The old lady looked at Tom keen
ly. IF you don't mind me mention
ing it, Tom, have been doing lit
tie thinking lately, since you talhed
of finding coal. May suggest a lit
tie plan? You used to take my
advice"
Fire away, auntie, that's what i
came for
We'll, 1t Is this way. I hate to see
a fine girl like Rose Marshall throw
herself away on that southern dude,
and ruin her life at the same time.
Her heart is In the right place, but
her head has been turned by Pres.
colts attentions and his house. Now
that you have some money
Money!" he interrupted impatient
~. 'If you mean that Rose will mar
ry me now that am rich