Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-12-17
Evening Story
THE SURPRISE.
(By Mary Marshall.)
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure News
paper Syndicate.

Phil Crane and Edward Sterling,
civil engineers, had Charge Of the work
of the small dam on the west side OF
the mountain. Their nearest neighbor,
not counting the band Of young Italian
laborers over whom they exercised alb
solslte If not always acceptable domln-
ion, was Abigail Jones. She presided
over the little schoolhouSe on the east
side of the mountain. Ave miles over
rough roads from the shack that Phil
Crane and Edward Sterling were forced
to call home Their housekeeping was
Conducted by young Italian. But Abb
gail, though she lived alone in Il rough
little schoolhouse kept house in ac-
cepted. civilized manner. She ate on a
real dining table, covered with linen
cloth and lighted by shaded candles,
she used silver knives and forks and
spoons and served coffee In real cups
and saucers All Of this to the engineers
who enjoyed none Of the delicacies in
their shack, was delightfully."- reminis-
cent of home and the city.
Every Sunday afternoon in spite of
the worst weather that might prevail,
the two engineers rode over the noun
tains to the schoolhouse to spend the
afternoon and to be urged to supper by
Abigail Jones.
Its funny how that little old maid
of a schoolteacher can mean so much
to a fellow, isn't it?' Edward asked
one Sunday.
Not when she. is the only woman
you have talked to for three months"
grumbed Phil. ITS pity they
wo ulGn't put us fellows on decent
| job. This ride over the mountains Is
getting positively dangerous with all
this ice and snow, and when the spring
thaws come l don't see how we are
going to manage"
You don't have to come, PHIL said
Edward
Its the same as having to. I
couldnl live without seeing girl once
in a while
'.she is not exactly a girl" objected
Edward.
Il wonder how she would size up in
civilization, PHIL" said Edward,
whose thoughts had evidently been
focused on Abigail during their
silence. II have tried to imagine her,
say, at a college dance or in a hotel tea
room Edward was anxious to hear
Pills words Of commendation. I
wonder how she would size up next to
your sister or mine"
I'D like to know how they would
size up next to her. said Phil blunty,
having to teach school and keep house
in that old shanty with their nearest
neighbor miles away"
,, She is what you would call
! 'plucky.'' said Edward, putting world
! of admiration in the way he pro-
nounced the word "plucky.' Then he
began again fishing fo~ Phifs approval.
Did it ever occur to you that she is
what some people might call pretty"
Il don't know that I ever thought
Of it that way" admitted Phil. She
says she has pretty sister, though
he added.
That night after Phil and Edward
had left Abigail stood for a minute at
the door watching the strong and Wig
orous young figures Of the engineers as
they rode away, their silhouettes
standing out clear in the moonlight
against the snow covered road. She
, closed the door with SILVER. AS she
Strengthened up the piles Of magazines
| on the table and arranged the soft pill
lows on the lounge she laughed aloud.
Its funny she thought, 'how those
boys count on this little reaction. 1t is
too bad am not more of girl, and
they are such nice boys
She stole into her little bedroom
that adjoined the living room and re-
turned with a worn black wallet Then
with hand that trembled with the ex-
| element of anticipation she wrote a
letter to her sister Cornela. telling her
/ as usual OF the simple events in her
/, humdrum life. At the close of the let
ter she wrote: Il inclose forty dollars,
which | wish you would spend to make
me very happy. The way to do i. is to
(; employ a substitute to do your work
| for two weeks and buy q ticket for
! yourself and come here to see me-
! Please come as soon as you can.
AS Abigail finished the letter she
could see in her minds eye the fair
hair and delicate features Of the little