Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-24
Evening Story
GIFT or rhE GROOM,
~ olive Roberts Barton,
Copyright. 1919. BY the Associated
Literary Press.

L
ern winter; but tho warm May wealth
or suited him. Tho freshness Of
everything, the little yellowish green
leaves, the smell OF the nlacs and tho
songs of the birds made Fordpoyt
more like homo .a .e
Another reason for his felicity was
the little ONCE and tho row Of SIX
nearly completed frame houses halt
q block down tho street. He could
SEQ the latter from his window. The
outside work had been done before
the rough weather and the inside dur.
ing tho winter months. Nothing 10
manned to be done but tho trimming.
paving and one extra coat OF paint on
each.
Eric Prescott was engaged to 0o
married to Rose Marshall. the belle
Of Fordport. When he had settled In
the village eight months before Rose
was engaged to marry Tome Lyle.
The minute he saw Rose, Eric made
UP his mind to have her. The fact
that she was engaged to Tom Lyle
was nothing to him.
| Few girls would have been proof
against the siege he Immediately laid
to Roses favor. His southern accent
and excellent taste in clothes, which
set of his tall slender figure, made
him favorite with all women.
Eric showered gifts Of candy, roses
books and music on Rose who ro-
fused them all at hrst-then 40
cepted a few flowers reluctantly and
finally. overwhelmed with many at
tentions, succumbed completely. They
were soon engaged and Rose was
seemingly happy. She was the envy
of all the Fordport girls.
The corner house in the row was
to be hers when they were married.
Eric gave her to understand that be-
fore she had accepted him. She joked
at homo about loving the house as
much as she loved Eric.
The house began to look different
from the others in the row. The
porch was extended around the side
and made two feet wider than the
other porches.
Rose, busy with her trousseau, ap.
peared to be very happy and the
wedding was month away. She
seldom saw Tom Lyle. He was
spending most of his time now at the
farm a half mile from the village.
She congratulated herself that she
had escaped a life of monotony In tho
country. Town life suited her
One day she met Tom driving two
strange men toward the farm. He
seemed to be explaining something
to them and merely nodded at Rose.
She went home thoughtfully. He evil
IDENTITY was not unhappy.
The day following this meeting
with Rose, Tom hitched his little
black mare to the runabout and
drove over to see his chief councillor
and confessor, Aunt Polly Goodwin.
She was taking nap" in her sit
ting room when Tom drove in at
the gate.
What news, Tommy? Sit right
down here. Now tell me-is there
much coal on the farm?'
| Yes, Aunt Polly, acres of it they
say. Congratulate me. | am a rich
man."
BLESS your heart Tommy" said
the old lady, wiping her eyes with
the corner of her apron. II am SO
glad, so glad for you
Thanks, Aunt Polly, but riches
do me little good now?' he returned
little bitterly.
! The old lady looked at Tom keen
! ly. If you don't mind me mention
| ing it, Tom, have been doing lit
tie thinking lately, since you talked
Of finding coal. May I suggest lit
tie plan? You used to- take my
advice"
Fire away, auntie, that's what I
came for
| "Well, it is this way. hate to
see a fine girl like Rose Marshall
throw herself away on that southern
dude, and ruin her life at the same
time. Her heart is in the right place,
but her head has been turned by
Prescott's attentions and his house.
Now that you have some money"
Money!" he interrupted impat-
iently. IF you mean that Rose will
marry me now that I am rich"
Hush. Toni she said softly.
Now listen to me. Rose is not to
know a word about your good luck
Neither is anyone in town to know
it for little while. This is my
plan
Tom left half hour later think
ing what wonder Aunt Polly was
and with a determined set to his
lips boding good or i'll for someone.
| One day, a week or so before the
wedding. Rose stopped in to see Eric
I
at his office.
"I've come to ask about the win
dow seat in the dining room, Eric
she explained after he had kissed
her. 81 do not want it vanished.
Did YOU tell Simmons ?"
Eric looked uncomfortable for
minute. then walked to the window
and looked over at the house. do
you like the place SO well, Rose?"
81 love it. Why"
81 have just sold it," f..
you what?" f.
Sold it, ..
That house Our house! Mine!
Sold it!
| Eyes" -
Rose sank into chair, white and
shaking. please explain
He turned quickly. II had too good
an offer to refuse. firm in the
city offered me ten thousand for it
and wanted an immediate answer.
You were in Foxburg yesterday and
| could MT uoit RI ocl. v0r So T wired