The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1913-04-24
tenderness, Mrs. Todhunter followed
Nary, making no excuses.

tenderness Mrs. Todhunter followed
Nary, making no excuses.
"Tom," said Colonel Todhunter, you
seem to have been kicking up mighty
funny rumpus this load O poles. young
man"
Tom stood like condemned felon
in the dock Il reckon have, colonel
he made answer. Then, after dis
may filed pause, "l-I-I've been ask
ing Mary to marry me, sir" ......
Colonel Todhunter's face was impas
sive.
Tom Strickland stood very erect
Pride shone in his eyes. II don't know,
sir, whether you've noticed it or not"
be resumed, but I've been in love with
Mary for long time
A relishful twinkle was in Colonel
Todhunter's eyes.
And, strand well, Colonel Todhun,
ter, it's just this" exultantly but blush
ingly exclaimed Tom. II know | don't
deserve i'll can't hardly believe it
but Mary says she loves me. too-and-
well, sir, | want to ask Mrs. Todhun-
ter's and your consent to our marriage,
sir"
Colonel Todhunter was contemplate
ing the young man with eyes brlmru'
of kindly amusement.
Tom" he said. "as long as you live
you'll never forget how skeered you
are this minute, sub. But you got
through with it like heyc, blamed
sight Deter than d1u when ASKED
for Mrs. Todhunter. That sure was
terrible experience
But the next moment his face was
grave Ee laid his hand on young
Stricklapd's shoulder.
Tom, my boy" be said, I'D rather
give Mary to you than to any other
man in the world, and you ought to
ha' known it without my tellin' you.
I've known you and liked you all the
time you've been CROWN up, and |
love your father like be was my own
brother. am glad you and Mary
have got it all settled. and I'm, sure
Mrs. Todhunter thinks as much of you
as do. God bless you and Mary both.
my boy"
There was sudden break in the
colonel's voice. It's up to you and
Mary to arrange all the rest OF it,
young man." he spoke again after
little pause. Then, with whimsical
smile: And all of your troubles are
ahead of you both. May the good Lord
have mercy on your souls"
A splendid gratitude shone in Toms
eyes. "All I've got to say is this. Colo
mel Todhunter," he said, God helping
me, III make Mary the best husband in
the world.''
You'll need the Good Marster's help
considera BILE, too, my boy" responded
Colonel Todhunter Quizzically. And
don't bank on bein' too blamed success
full in that there undertaken, sub. Be-
in a good husband amt no sinecure.
not by long shot. It's the biggest con-
tract you ever undertook. and you've
got to keep hammerin' away at it ev'ry
minute. sub. It's enough to skeer
man to death, Tom, if it want for one
thing-bein' good husband means
havin' happy wife, and that's the fn-
est thing on Gods green footstool. You
just live up to that great truth. Tom.
and it's all III ask of you"
.You won't have to ask more than
once, Colonel Todhunter," replied Tom
'fervently. IN think Of nothing but
Mary's happiness all my life, sir. And
that'll mean mine, too; we're going to
be the happiest couple in all the world.
colonel"
Nov that's where you slip up again,
Tom," said Colonel Todhunter. MAR
RED life amt just one long dream OF
unalloyed bliss. not by jugful, sub.
You got to take it as it comes, the bad
with the good. and sometimes it may
look like the good amt as plentiful as
it might be. but that's percisely when
you got to sit tight and watch and pray
for change O. luck. And mans wife
amt no chronic angel; young man, no
moren't a woman's husband is. You'll
be powerful lucky if Mary makes you
as good wife as her mothers made
me, but, all the same, I've seen days
when Mrs. Todhunter looked more like
a destroyin' cyclone to me than any
thing else. And she can tell hundred
Shortcomings on me where l can tell
you one on her. so there you are, sub.
It's give and take, that's what it is.
and you just got to do your best. keep
on whistlin' for cheerfulness' sake and
stand ready to make a quick duck ii
things get too stormy, suh!' -
Tom Strickland could not help but
laugh. "Well, colonel" he responded,
IF Mary and are as happy as you
and Mrs. Todhunter I'll be more than
satisfied. And III try to make her a
good husband, promise you that. :"
Il know you will, Tom," replied
Colonel Todhunter And l know
Mary'll try to fill her part o the con-
tract the sd me way too"
The young mans gaze went nervous
~ past the door through which Mary
and her mother had vanished.
Il wonder where they are, colonel"'
lv