Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-05-19

"Please 20 away. Please let me
alone" she said without uncovering
her eyes.
Again Emerson looked at the stairs.
This time he slowly shook his head
and took a long breath.
"Oh, I say. EN-" he repeated. not
finding anything else to say at the
moment. Don't do that. Please
don't do that ,- ls45asig
He could not see that her eyes were
uncovered this time, but she must
have seen him, for she said in an odd
little voice:
ooh. it's you. Price, is IT."
He took three steps toward the
chopping. block.
"You mustn't feel like this, En-"
he observed. Really YOU mustn't
II was q bully old wedding. | don't
think I ever saw SO pretty one. And
Tots got cracking chap In Weston
why. he's got all kinds OF money and
he's head over heels in love with
her"
"I know that" came weakly from the
chopping block.
"Then what on earth are you down
here crying for?" he asked.
II don't know she declared.
Emerson looked at her keenly. 2
EN-. you're simply worn OUT said
he. "It's all been too much for you,
the fuss and excitement and all the
work of preparation"
She nodded miserably.
Eyes. that's It." said she.
Emerson went six steps nearer the
block.
cts a shame!" he said almost hot
". "You shouldn't have done all
you have. You hadn't the strength.
You should have let me help more"
She did not reply. She was sobbing
rather harder now.
"Why. confound It. II you'd only
listened to reason and married me
three years ago when wanted you
To-"
cts too late to talk about that
she choked. XII.
Emerson suddenly caught his breath.
He opened his mouth as II to SPEAK.
Instead he closed his mouth again
and made the Intervening distance to
the chopping block again IN bound.
He took the girl in his arms. She
wayered for moment.
EN-. EN-" he was saying ioyfully,
why. never heard you SD meek
"a this Yol always turned m, down
cold. -Yol wouldn't listen 20 me.
You adrit then 1t would have hscr
better II you'd married me IN the
FIRST placs''
Don't s:,. said hr.'k.nly. hut
E. mething In btr. tone gave him the
III swer Is kis question and set his
heart to not-ning.
.Why on Garth dida't your" he
questioned.
She turned away her hear.
~ Couldn't couldn't, Price," said
she. "I had Tot to look after and to
bring up after mother died, and II
1t would have been too much then like
marrying you for what you could do for
us-what your money could do for US.
| thought 80 then, anyway. So
worked and-and--"
En- he said, you little fool!
!; Didn't you love me-? MN s.a G.a4a
Yes" said che.
f.eYou love me now"
mo" she cried suddenly, mo, oh
not"
Why?
price, what are you saying to me
You have no right! had my chance.
Through pride saw fit to pass IT by
You-they say you are engaged to
the beautiful Randall girl
Suddenly he took his arms away.
He stood by the block very stiff and
straight. His brows were slightly
puckered. She could not see him, for
again her eyes were hidden In the
crook OF her arm. !.
And you loved me all the time, (
he said saccusingy. "Oh. En-! %
Then he was gone. She heard his
steps as he ran up the cellar stairs.
She huddled lower on the chopping
block. A silver from the kindlings
tore her silk stocking. but she did
not seem aware of It,
what have done? What have ]
lost? can't stand it,"
The Rev. Pearson Browne was just
taking of his vestments in the room
upstairs. A taxi had whirled up to
the door to take him back to the
rectory Came a laundering tap on
the door and even before he could
answer 1t the door burst open and
tPrice Emerson fairly fell into Il the
| room. stf. s59gsit. ss 81.
! kindly keep them on, Pearse." ne
said-he and the rector were very OLD
! friends. Keep them on--the vest
ments. I land put on those
you've taken of, and come with me-
+ The rector, somewhat mystif1ed
adjusted his surplice and put on the
stole. IA J,
This way" Emerson instructed
! leading him downstairs and opening
! the cellar door.
Emily still sat on the block. But
!, she jumped up as the pair came into
Before she could speak, Emerson
was talking.
"There isn't word OF truth in that
] silly gossip about the Randall girl
/ and me-" said Price. He turned to thlf
! friend "Pearse. this young woman
has kept herself too much in the
background. When her mother diec
she fancied she owed it to her young
or sister to slave her life half out sup
porting her and bringing her up. She
has kept so much in the background
ithatII fancy she wishes to remain