Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-26

covering from wounds. There was q
photograph also of Miss Jane Cart
right, Red Cross nurse, who had been
decorated with the Order of Leopold
by King Albert for bravery on the bat
tie field.
Lieut. Baker saw Immediately that
The, four pictures had been confused
He wondered if Miss Wilson would
wax angry over the fact that she was
to marry his humble self and how Miss
Cartright would enjoy the distinction
awarded her by a laundering news.
paper man.
Nice face-Miss Wilson'S" was the
officers decision after long contempla
ton of the face beside his own in the
paper. II fancy she won't mind the
mistake any more than 1 do"
Perhaps, had he been able to make
good use of his writing hand, Blaker
would have written to the Mirror
and had the mistake rectified. But
since it would involve considerable
trouble he let the matter stand.
When congratulations began to pour
in on him by letter and telegraph, to-
gcther with much good-natured chaff,
his anger decreased while his amuse,
ment grew. The situation served as a
pain forgotten and oblivion temper
arily to the scenes of the battlefield.
He found himself bordering on Marina
wilson's feelings in the matter and
wondering as to her personality. He
even admitted to himself on one rare
occasion that he would not mind j. the
headline above the pictures was 4act
and not error Lieut.. Baker was not
a man to appreciate the life Of a bache-
lcr. He was of that lonely class merely
because he had never been suft1c1ently
in love to want to change his con-
ditiOn.
The little Red Cross nurse was
completely at loss to know why
kilograms and letters reached her
consolidating her on her forthcom-
in marriage. She had not seen the
photographs in the daily paper nor
had she ever heard sthe name OF
Cyril Baker.
1t was not until she received the
Letter from Capt Gordon, OF the
Queen Victoria Rifles, young Of
ficer whom she had nursed back TO
health in Belgium, that the mystery
was partially solved.
cyril is a fine chap" Capt. Cor.
don had written. II have been at
his diggings, Dunkirk, in Noting.
ham, Kent. often. Long life and
great happiness to you both"
Marina realized that it had cost
Can't. Gordon much to write those
words. The captains love had been
hard to refuse. She smiled, however,
for his letter gave her the cue she
wanted. She would write now to
Lieut.. Baker and ask him TO solve
the riddle for her. Perhaps ne was
as deep in mystery as herself.
Being delightfully."- sunny day ana
not long trip into Kent, 1arna
dressed herself with unusual taste
and took the train for nottingham
There was no reason why she snoula
not 20. Her life among the wound
ed soldiers had taught her that pru.
derry is thing unknown to the Red
Cross nurse.
Her trip through the meadows OF
Kent was delightful. When she
reached Nottingham she stepped into
the little lane leading from the sta
ton and inquired her way to Dun
kirk, If the walk was not too long
she preferred to take 1t, for the sum-
mer was in full and fragrant bloom
tonic for ragged nerves.
Dunkirk was rambling old house
that Law in a tangle Of rose arbors.
Lieut.. Baker, lying in his invalid's
chair, glanced up from his reading
at the sound of light footsteps ap-
preaching.
Ne drew a surprised and wonder
fully exhilarating breath when he saw
the slim figure making its way
through an arbor of roses In his dlrec-
tton. For just second his glance
was puzzled.
He would have risen save that
Marna's quickened step and raised
hand prevented him.
81 will not come If you attempt to
stand" she admonished with dainty
command. II know an invalid when
see one" Her smile so radiated
her face that Baker felt slightly
Jealous of all the invalids she must
have smiled upon. Her picture, ne
told himself, in no way tattered her.
Marina seemed surprised that there
was recognition in his eyes for 70
her the young, bandage-enclosed OH
Ger In the chair was a complete
stranger.
- suppose you have come down to
talk about the wedding? he Dues.
toned laughingly, when she had
seated herself beside him. Then,
beckoning to maid in the window,
he ordered tea brought into the gar
den. ,
..But, you see, ! am in the dark. |