Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-02-19
Evening Story
RoSALlE'S PARENTS.
BY Antoinette De coursey Patterson.

Both Mr.. and Mrs. BreretOn were IN
a state of anxiety bordering on hys-
terra. Their only child, the pretty
Rosalie, had fallen in love with an
unknown young man who had, few
months ago, moved into their neigh.
borhood.
There We're number of eligible
youths in Beverley, any one Of whom
would have considered himself only
too fortunate could he have become
the son-in-law Of the Breretons--
youths that one knew all about, and
whose incomes could be calculated
with great nicely.
Jack Chandler was an artist. and
Rosalie's parents believed artists to
be a poor. Indispensable lot. Then,
too, not much more was known OF
Miss Graham, the aunt with whom
Chandler lived. The best people In
Beverley had called, and their civil.
ity had met with prompt and
proper return, and there things had
ended. Miss Graham. it was rumored,
was a woman of literary tastes, and
indeed was supposed to be writing
novel.
It was dreadful to think Resale
should be associated with such a DO.
hemian class-but what were there to
do? Chandler and their daughter
were both of age and unfortunately
Resale had little money in her own
right. All that was left for them was
to try the effect of direct appeal to
Miss Graham to see II any posi-
bility she could do anything. 1t was
possible that after they he'd diplo-
matically made her see how Chan
d1er's career might be interfered Wftn'
and had intimated how very slim was
Rosale's fortune, she might order
the weakling of the artist to withdraw
his suit. Rosalie could then be taken
to New York for a couple OF weeks
and all would be we'll.
The plan offered many objections,
and gave but little promise of success.
but neither Mr.. nor Mrs. Brereton
could think OF anything else, and they
were not the kind in such an emer-
gency to sit and fold their hands.
On this special afternoon they
dressed with elaborate care for their
call on Miss Graham. Just as they
were ready to start the bell rang and
Miss Graham herself was announced.
Miss Graham's coming was due to
an occurrence Of the afternoon be-
fore when Rosalie had come to her
in tears relative to the hard-hearted
attitude of her parents.
81 can stand most anything, Miss
Graham" she had sobbed, "but being
told that l am throwing myself away
on a worthless painter; and you've
no idea what dreadful names besides
To n1y
went so far as to say they didn't be-
lieve he loved me at all-that he was
just after my money! | hate to talk
about father and mother in this way,
but they've no right to say such things
of Jack"
AS Jacks aunt listened to this re-
cital so unflattering to her cherished
idol, her face grew grim; then her
eyes twinkled as she turned to Rosa
lie and said kindly:
Don't worry, little girl, things Will
come out all right
This was why Miss Graham hap
pened to call the next afternoon at
the Breretons.
AS Mr.. and Mrs. Brereton entered
their parlor arm in arm Miss Ora.
ham rose with solemn dignity:
81 have come,' she said. 'On' very
uncomfortable mission. one thu m"rt
be dealt with in a spirit Of the ut
most frankness. May | have your
permission to express myself quite
freely?'
Mr.. and Mrs. Brereton looked at
each other; neither felt quite sure
of Just what Miss Graham meant, but
as it might be safely inferred, she
intended pleading, her nephews cause,
they at least would have the satisfac-
ton, while she was at such close quar-
ters, of speaking their own minds. In
unison they nodded for her to go on.
81 understand" Miss Graham con-
tinued. my nephew has been seeing
quite good deal Of your daughter
The Breretons glared Wrathfully.
$50, at the beginning, I want you
both to understand I have nothing
whatsoever against Miss Rosalie. that
I believe her to be in fact very
sweet and lovely girl-but nave
quite different ambitions for this ex-
tremely talented nephew Of mine,
ambitions in which matrimony does
not enter. unless 1t should be with
a woman of sufficient wealth and po-
sition to further them
Mr.. and Mrs. Brereton were too
dazed to speak Miss Graham con-
tinued fluently:
John is very young, and at present
might be foolish enough to risk
brilliant career To avoid this
would Immediately take him away
from Beverley were he not under con.
tract to finish series of sketches OF
the surrounding country for the man
i forgot his name-who lives in
that fine house on the top of the hill.
And so. for I know how unhappy 1t
would make you all should Miss Ros.
allie be united to a man whose family
would distinctly regard the match in
the light Of mesalliance. I have
come to ask that you may find 1t
convenient, should you have some
relatives in another town, to let your
daughter visit them for a few weeks,
or until those pictures are finished.
I feel that under the circumstances
am really not asking too much
Miss Graham paused as If for an
approving reply. None came. though
the mouths of her two listeners had