Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-10-08

NSSpy A5AS AoS
Newspaper Syndicate.)
When Shirley Stentz. cool and
sweet in a soft white gown, appeared
on the porch of the most popular
hotel in Cedar Crest, heads were lifted
from over bridge tables and knitting
needles. for she was generally con
coded to be the most interesting guest
at the mountain resort.
IL thought when Shirley's aunt died
In England and left her all that money,
1t would turn her head. 1t would
have affected any other poor girl"
commented Mrs. Payne Gaines graci-
ously.
Shirley is a most unusual girl. Her
money has made no difference except
in her clothes. Nobody can deny
that she has always known how to
dress. and now that she has unlimited
means, she is the best-gowned WON
an I ever saw out Of Paris" echoed
Mrs. Oliver. It was plain that the
girl had friends ampng the possips.
81 wonder what Shirley will do
when Jack Houston appears today!
He is here. I saw him go in and
register an hour ago."
Good looking fellow, isn't he?" I
wonder what really happened to sepa-
rate them just before he went to
Africa or some other foreign placer"
His mother Influenced him, l be-
lieve," answered Mrs. Gaines. SShe
wanted him to marry Madeline Pan
hurst. She had a fortune equal to
that Of the Houstons."
IT don't put much faith in that Cos
sip. Jack is too fine a man to court
a girl and then drop her because she
had no money. I am confident that
the cause of their separation was not
a mercenary one"
Jack Houston, big and brown from
exposure to wind and sun, saw and
hurried to greet the two women.
where's Shirley Stentz? Some
body told me she was here. That's
Why came" was his startling an
nouncement when they had cordially
welcomed him.
II think you will find her alone for
the first time since she arrived here.
She is probably down by Deep Rock
Spring. You remember the place,
Jack? We used to picnic there when
you were a little boy" ventured Mrs.
Gaines.
"I supposed you have heard that
Shirley is an heiress now? We rather
fancy she will take a title" dared
Mrs. Oliver, watching the flush that
swept over the mans face at her
statement. "She can have her choice
of two Of Ssurope's most sought after
noblemen."
"An heiress? What do you mean?"
Haven't you heard that Shirley's
aunt died nearly two years ago and
left her entire estate to the grip
mo. L haven't heard any gossip
from home in months. l am glad for
Shirley. She deserves everything good
in life"
He turned and went back into the
hotel. He walked as if he had grown
suddenly very tired and old. There
was no train for four hours, and when
he found the air in his oom stirling
he pulled a soft gray hat well yer
his eyes and went out to find the trail
that wound it's sinuous way across the
top of the mountain. Somewhere
along that cool, green trail he and
Shirley had played at keeping house
when he wore short trousers and
Shirley found her stiff white skirts
and blue sashes much in her way
when she made mud pies. Later they
had plighted their troth by the old
stone that years before had held their
household treasures. They had plan
of their childish dream.
lis 1t really you, Shirley, or just
some ghost risen to laugh at me?"
demanded Jack when he came upon
her sitting on the old stone and look
ing out across the deep valley where
river threaded it's silver fay.
Il am flesh and blood, and more
than glad to see you again. You must
have. had a glorious trip. You have
been away for two years"
TT seems a hundred now when l
look at you, Shirley. You are even
prettier than I remembered. They
tell me you have had a great fortune
left you"
Yes. Aunt Patricia made me an
heiress."
"And I also hear that somebody
else is to take you a countess"
THAT said Shirley, sis a great
mistake. I am in love with a plain
American; not plain, Jack, he is
really handsome"
$50 you are in love!"
EYES," Shirley nodded, smiling,
her face grown pink as the wild roses
that bloomed beside the stone. 81
am In love-" !
"Is he here in the mountains?
"Yes," said Shirley again. 81 will
show him to you tonight"
"You must make it sooner than
that. I am leaving on the 8:45."
why, Jack, you came only an hour
ago. Have you had news-bad news?"
Eyes, bad news for me-"
"Is there anything I can do? What
is the matter?"
II, foolishly perhaps, dreamed a