Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1914-04-24

thatch, and I think they'll match
yours And since, in the words OF the
great Herbert Spencer, things that
match the same thing match each 9TH
err! What do you say?-Barnes."
/ up. S.-I love you. l feel like a
/ damn fool saying it. but heaven knows
it's true"
p. P. s.-still love you. rs easier
the second time"
I IN. B.-I love you-eot the habit
now and can't atop writing it.-B."
Well, l had to keep calm and attend
to business, but was seething inside
! like Seidlitz powder. Every few
, minutes I'd reread the letter under tho
edge Of the stand. and the more read
it the more excited l got When .
woman's gone past thirty before she
gets her first love letter, she isn't
sure whether to thank providence or
the man, but she's pretty sure to make
q fool OF herself.
Thoburn came to the news stand on
his way out with the ioe-cutting gang
to the pond.
Last call to the dining car. Minnie"
! he said "'Will you-wont you-wil
you-won't you-will you join the
dancer"
Il haven't any reason for changing
my plans" retorted. II promised the
old doctor to stick by the place. and
I'm sticking"
! AS the man said when he sat down
on the fly paper. You're going by your
heart, Minnie. and not by your head,
and in this toss. heads win"
4 But with my new puffs on the back Of
my head, and my letter In my pocket.
wasn't easy to discourage. Thoburn
shoulde,ed his pick and, headed BY
Doctor Barnes. the ice-cutters started
out in single file. As they passed boo
! tor Barnes glanced at me. and my
heart almost stopped.
do they-s It q match?" he asked.
/ with his eyes on mine.
1 couldn't speak. but nodded "yes,"
and all that afternoon l could see the
wonderful smile that lit up his face
] as he went out
Miss Cobb stopped at the news stand
on her way to the gymnasium. She
was homely woman at any time, and
in her boomers she looked Ike
soup-hone. She padded over to tho
counter in her gym shoes. and for
once she'd forgotten her legs.
MAY l speak to you, Hinnie? she
asked.
"You mostly do" said. There
isn't a new rule about speaking. u
there?"
"This is important. Minnie" she
said, rolling her eyes around - she
always did when she was excited. I'm
in such state Of ex-I see you bought
the puffs! Perhaps you will lend them
to me If we arrange for country
Dance"
I'm not lending them." said frm-
". It would have been like lending
an engagement ring. to my mind.
Miss Cobb was not offended. She went
at once to what had brought her. and
bent over the counter.
Minnie, you love Miss Jennings
almost like daughter, don't you?"
Like a sister. Miss Cobb" I said.
I'm not feeble yet"
well. you wouldn't want 10 see her
deceived"
II wouldn't have It." answered
'Then what do you call thisr She
put . email package on the counter
and stared At me over It Theres
treachery here, black treacheFy." She
pointed ono long thin foseanger Ut the
bundle.
what 10 Il! A bomb7" asked
stepping back. More than once It had
occurred to me that having royalty
around sometimes meant dynamite
Miss Cobb showed her teeth.
Eyes, a bomb" she said. Minnie
: last night. when the Summers woman
was out, goodness knows where
Blanche Moody and l went through
her room. We did not find my precious
missives from Mr.. Jones, but we die
find these, Minnie, tied around with 9
pink stocking. Minnie, have felt l,
all along. Mr. Oslsar Won invalid Is thu
, prince himself"
mol"
"Yes. And more than that. he II
making desperate love to Miss Sum
ners. Three of those letters wer'
: written in one day! Why. even Mr.
Jones'"
1.-THE wretchl" I cried. was sud
denly savage. Miss Cobb was reach
Ing out for the bundle. l snatohed 1
from her.
Give mo those letters instantly.
she cried shrilly. But marched from
behind the counter and over to tn
fireplace.
Never" said. and put the packag
on the log. When they were safel!
blasting. turned and looked at Mis-
Cobb.
| "I'd put my hand right beside thos
letters to save Miss Patty heart
ache" l said. and you know It,"
You're :. fool" She was raging
you'll let her marry him and hav
the heartaches afterward."
| "She won't marry him." I snapped
| and walked away with my chin uI
leaving her staring.
| But wasn't so sure - pretende
to be- Mr.. Won invalid and Mr.. Joz
nings had been closeted together mos
J Of the morning. and Mr.. Won Inwal
was whistling a. he started out for tn
military walk. 1t seemed a. II tn
}. very thing that had given Mr.. Pierc
his chance to make good had in
d proved MI. Jennings disposition
a enough. 70 remove the last barrier