Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-05-04

really had not, and even the three
months was q tremendous concession,
He insisted would forget you in
three months, and 1t seemed wiser to
take It as sort of challenge, spe.
cially when he said would be CRATE.
Eful to him all the days Of my life. !
must just show him that three months .
won't make the least, tiny difference
and then say, Papa, can't help it,,
but love HMM than ever My
darling. will, will, will. and do not
doubt 1t or my heart will break. He
has right to know that It is serious,
hasn't he? That's what he said, over
and over again, till gave way. It
commits him to admitting It after
ward, and will leave him without any
argument. At any rate, shall obey
him for these three months, and then
| If he doesn't change, you can come
and get me.
II am determined not to wait
minute longer than that, papa or no,
papa, and what you must do is to work
hard. and be able to support US when
the time comes. have to take your
answer for granted as I solemnly
promised you would not write to me.
Please don't. my darling for other
wise you will! add to my disgrace and
make papa think have no Influence
with you.
"We're going to Washington today
so that may be distracted I shall
be that in all truth. but not in papa's
sense, and with heart like lead at
leaving you. Don't blame me too much
for love him, too, you know, better
than anything in the world except you.
Try not to feel too badly, and remem-
Der shall be thinking of you every
minute Of the time. dread to stop
as I have said everything 50 badly,
but 1t Is not the you love If you do
not understand. You will, won't you?
And love me better than ever, and
don't forget that I will come.
Chris"
Matt re-read the letter many times,
and his first sensation Of utter aban-
donment imperceptibly altered to a
moro sanguine view. They were both
saved, at least, the shame of clan
destine affair, with its unavoidable
and notifying discovery. Better to
tell the general than to let him find
out-Chris had been right there
UTdfCly IlSAl yUo DIG udu 0AOWA
good sense, too, In conceding the
might be to live through Yes, he ''un-
cepted in the spirit of test, and the
general would find 1t impossible to
impose new conditions. It was much
to be thankful for that he had not
>,ade it year. It would have been 50
easy for him to make it q year. Three
months would give Matt time to solid
ify his position in the Y. M. G. A., and
add leverage to that sixty dollars a
month; the world that loved lover
surely included Mr.. Cummins; be.
sides, a helping-out, cheerful In.
structor would soon be worth that ex-
ira fifteen.
No, all was not lost, though it was
smarting, Jealous business to have
Chris whisked away to be courted and
run after in Washington. He choked
lat the thought, and ragged at his own
impotence and poverty. Who, was he
to hold such woman-young, beauti-
full, and an heiress? She would meet
better men every day, and could not
but contrast them with himself. Her
father would always be at hand, that
COOL, S0ToWu, lWpldCdUlC kdCuOI, IOT.
ever inclining the scales against him
Yet there was something steadfast in
Chris that it was immensely comfort
ing to recall, something frank and
fearless and smilingly resolute. She
had contributed all the courage. had
made all the plans. His own part had
been one Of helplessness throughout,
and obedience to- a Drawer will
humiliating reflections. but not with
out reinsurance. All he had was love,
and he had lain like dog at her feet.
leaving the rest to her. That's how 1t
had been--the brains, the initiative.
the contriving-all hers. Why, then
should he doubt her now? Analysed.
it seemed very foolish. His evident
duty was to carry out her Instructions,
and get seventy-five dollars month.
That was what the Drawer will had
decreed. and he should set himself to
1t, faithfully, unquestioningly.
| fTo IA Continued