Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-06-06
E1jzubeths Choice
BY Amy v. Beal.

BY Amy v. BeaI.
This Is true story about a little
girl named Elizabeth. She was ten,
and she had sister Lucy, who was
eight, and little sister Frances, who
was only four.
They were very nice little girls, and
they loved one another dearly Eliza
beth was generous and unselfish, and
often sacrificed her own pleasure 70
make her sisters happy.
Elizabeth, this is your guardian,
Mr.. Betting" said Mrs. Armstrong, de-
murely.
AS Dick bent low over the girls
slender hand he recovered his equa-
nimity.
II was looking for nine-year girl"
he said with his charming smile. I'm
afraid had relegated you to the
schoolroom for ten long years."
Elizabeth laughed softly. How
dreadful when have just hidden
goodby to. it forever"
Il even contemplated selecting your
clothes" went on Dick, gravely
Horrors! You will forgive me, too;
but thought you would prove to be
Quite-an old gentleman" blushed
Elizabeth, thereby increasing her love-
Illness. you see, my fathers hair was
white-and l thought you were his
friend-and were of the same age"
Your father was fifteen years old
er than l." explained Dick, rather hast
lily. He did not want this beautiful
ward of his to look upon him as an old
man. He stole a shy, anxious glance
into an opposite mirror to reassure
hi, "a io fho~
in caught the amused glance of Mrs.
Armstrong.
"Oh, you are years younger than
my father" said Elizabeth, kindly.
Thanks murmured Dick, and then
producing the letter he had received
from her father, he gave it to her.
She read it with tender eyes filled
with tears "A mistake has been
made" she said as she gave it back
to him. This is letter my father
must have written ten years ago, when
he suffered bad attack of heart dis
ease and believed himself to be dy-
ing. There is a later letter written
during his last illness. In the confu-
sion following his death the lawyer,
Mr. Feltsom, must have forwarded you
the wrong letter. He had charge of
the papers"
Il am glad said Dick, heartily, and
then because he could not explain to
them how glad he was he made ar
rangements for them to dine with him
that evening and hurried away.
Gordon joined them at dinner and
his amazement at sight of Dicks
charge was delightful to witness. To
Dicks disgust the fat, gOOd-natured
clubman appeared more impressed
with the charms of Mrs. Armstrong
than with those Of the beautiful girl
How is your orphan?" he asked
Dick one day.
Il hope she is happy" returned
Dick, with a tender smile, "for she
has Just promised to marry me-"
'Glorious!" cried Gordon, with a
squeeze Of his big hand. eve will
make it a double wedding"
"Not Mrs. Armstrong;"
None other. OF course, know she
hasn't sou and l ought to marry
money, but I'm simply gone on her,
Dick, and I'll change my whole mode
Of life just to gain her. Then, anx-
iously, Haven't you heard that it was
cheaper for two to live than only one?'
]
Grandma liked to reward Elizabeth
she said to Aunt Daisy:
II have asked the little girls to come
over this morning and get the pres
ents we brought them from Europe.
am going to let Elizabeth choose the
one she likes best. l think she de-
serves a reward for sending Frances
driving with Aunt Mary yesterday, in
! her place. She was very good to give
up her treat to make her little sister
, happy"
The little girls soon arrived, and
| Grandma kissed them and helped them
| to take of their coats and hats. Then
she led them into the living room. The
three gifts were lying in their boxes on
the table: turquoise ring, little
pearl locket, and bracelet with a
tiny clover on it.
.'Oh, how lovely!' cried Elizabeth
Weren't you good to bring us such
pretty presents, Grandma?
(Which is for me?" asked Lucy
with shining eyes.
"Me choose, Grandma said little
Frances, with an engaging smile.
t'No, dear" answered Grandma
Elizabeth is to have first choice this
time, because she was so good to let
you go with Aunt Mary yesterday
! Come, Elizabeth, which do you like
best?"
Elizabeth clasped her hands, and
drew long breath of excitement and
rapture.
They're all so beautiful she said
"May really do just as like about
choosing. Grardma?'
1 "You certainly may, dear; this is
your choice"
| Elizabeth looked at the gifts again
closely, and touched each with a care
full finger, lingering over the locket
Then she glanced at Lucy's wistfn
face, and at Frances, who was resting
her little nose on the edge OF the
table in her endeavor to see the pretty
things.
:, Which do you wish you had, Lucy?'
Elizabeth asked suddenly.
/ ooh, the ring, the ring!' cried Lucy
dancing up and down.
Elizabeth took the ring from it's boz
and handed it to her, and was nearly
choked by Lucy's "bear-hug"