Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-17

er rugs the better to look straight at
his companion.
! Anne Mead's start Of surprise
brought a whimsical smile to the
Greeks eyes. 1t did not, however,
! conceal the seriousness of his APP
| peal.
! Anne laughed. The ship was only
four days out toward Naples. Five
days before she and the man at her
side had been strangers.
you are, OF course, joking?" she
queried.
! mol think have never been
more serious in my life," Georgopulo
told her, and sat back In his steamer
chair.
Anne drew in sharp little breath,
but the smile still lowered about her
lips. She was silent for moment.
| But you have surely seen this"
she said, and dragged the glove from
her left hand 81 am already-spoken
for" she ended, with a laugh, for
somehow the situation did not seem
serious.
THAT is exactly the reason l have
asked you," Georgopulo said. He lean
ed forward again in his chair and
looked frankly into Anne's eyes, that
and because think you are a
genuinely good sport. You and nave
spent the greater part Of four days to-
gether You would trust me under all
circumstances know"
Anne's eyes had grown serious.
"Shipboard certainly does precipi-
tate friendship" she said Then she
laughed whole heartedly. And Auntie
is as fond of you as I am"
| Georgopulo acknowledged her tribute
with smile.
Then 'auntie' shall be taken into
our confidence. I will tell her that
we are engeged-and why"
Aunt Edith will be wiser than l
am" Anne remarked.
~ will inform you," said the Greek.
His smile was peculiarly boyish and
appealing. Anne was more or less
glad that her heart was not hers to
lose II have asked you to pose as
my betrothed to save me from the
fathers, uncles and brothers who have
marriageable females in their families.
If am engaged will cease to be
prey II not, the moment I step into
my native country will be asked to
meet dozens of girls whose dover will
be expected to tempt me into matri-
mony." Georgopulos fine brows drew
together. His voice had taken\on a
hint of anger. 1T Is obnoxious.
abominable, that the girls of our
country should be practically bought
and Sold am splendid mark be
cause I have built up successful
business In New York. Business de-
mands that go to Turkey once or
twice a year to buy tobacco, and
naturally stop in Patras to see my
parents" Geogopulo laughed whimsi-
cally. "But my trip is always entirely
sroiled by this element of marriage"
He stopped speaking and Anne laughed
merrily.
"You poor boy" she exclaimed,
"but. l think understand. Other
continentals have told me the same
thing. am only too glad to help
you" She held out her engagement
ring. 1T is sufficiently dazzling to
attract attention. isn't It? But you
must begin Immediately by calling
me sAnne'-Milton,'' she said.
You are a better sport, even than
I thought, Anne" laughed the Greek.
He stopped suddely and turned to
her. "Do you realize that it means
you will have to come 20 my faith
ers house and have dinner and be-
presented as my future wife,"
~ accept all the accessories of be-
ing engaged, gladly said Anne.
Aunt Edith and are on pleasure
bent and it does not matter whether
We 60 first to Athens and Patras or
to Rome" She looked straight into
his eyes with a more or less hooking
expression. "Only please remember,
Mr-Milton-that you are In love
with me-"
"And please remember Miss-Anne
that you are in love with me-" re-
torted Georgopulo. A sudden silence
fell between them, then as quickly a
laugh followed. simultaneously they
exclaimed:
"we must break the news to Aunt
Edith"
Edith Mead was not hard to ap-
proach In fact, her eyes were
contented look as they followed her
niece and the aristocratic Greek
about the decks. II am rather sorry
they are not really mates" she unused.
The remainder of the sea trip was
at least unique to both Anne and
Milton. Many a time ringing laugh
ter met the ears of fellow passengers
and set them to wondering what was
happening between the Greek and
the American girl to cause so much
amusement.
Eve are having fun over our en-.
gagement, pro tenn, are we not, Mil
ton? If we were really engaged
wouldn't enjoy calling you dearest
half so much as do now" Anne
laughed. ut Is SO prosaic when l
call Hillary pet names We have
known each other forever-he and l."
Perhaps you are right" assented
Georgopulo, land for my own part
begin to wish your Hillary did not
exist He looked suddenly at her
and would have said more but she
stopped him with her ready smile.
Remember she admonished, you
promised not to love me-"