Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-05

He smiled a wan smile and wrote
his name opposite number five. Sne
drifted away. The music became
louder, rising to the bright stars them.
selves. The dances that had furnished
so much bitter conversation at table
began to break out. Minot hunted up
the balcony and stood gazing mlser'
ably down at fairy-land below.
There Miss Meyrick found MIN
when the fifth dance was imminent.
"Is It customary for girls to pursue
their partners?" she inquired.
"I'm sorry" he said weakly. Shall
We 20 in?"
IT'S $3.50 glorious out here
He sighed-a sigh Of resignation.
He turned to her.
"You asked me-what is woman
greatest privilege" he said.
Eyes"
rs ito change her mind?'
She looked timidly into his eyes.
tits" she whispered family.
The most miserably happy man IN
history, he gasped. i
Cynthia! It's too late-you're 10
be married tomorrow. Do you mean
you'd call it all off now-at the last
minute?" .
She nodded her head, her eyes on
the ground.
"My God!" he moaned, and turned
away.
1T would be all wrong-to marry
Harrowby," she said falntly. be
cause I've come to-l-oh, Dick can
you see?"
See! OF course I see!' He cleneheo
his fists. Cynthia, my dearest
Below him stretched six stories OF
omen space. In his agony he though1
Of leaning over the ra1l-of letths
that he his answer But not would
disarrange things so-it might even
postpone the wedding!
Cynthia" he groaned, you can't
understand. 1t mustn't be-Ive given
nv word. I can't explain. ! can new.
or explain. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES,
Back in the shadow the girl pressed
ber hands to her burning cheeks.
"a strange love-yours' she yaiu'
"A love that blows hot and coia.
"Cynthia-that isn't true 40 love
YOU" . ),
please! Please let us-forget.
She stepped into the moonlight, nne'
brave smiling. do we-dance" -.
Cynthia" he cried unhapplly. II
Won only understood
"I think do The music has stop
ned narrowly has the next dance
he'd hardly think Of looking for me
here"
She was gone! Minot stood alone
m the balcony. He was dazed, blind
trembling. He had refused the girl
without whom life could never De
worth while. Refused her, to keep
the faith!
He entered upon the bright scene
inside, slipped unnoticed to the ele
vator- and, still dazed, DESCENDED to
the lobby. He could walk in the moon
light until his senses were regalned
Near the main door Of the De la Pax
he ran into Henry Trimmer. Mr.
Trimmer had a newspaper In MS
hand.
whats the matter with the women
nowadays?" he demanded Indignantly
Minot tried in vain to push by him
"seen what those London suffragettes
have done now" And Trimmer point
ed to headline.
what have they done?'' asked Min
OF.
"Done?" They put dynamite under
the statue Of Lord Nelson in Trafal
gar square and blew 1t sky high. II
fell over into the Strand"
"Good.' cried Minot wildly. Good
| hope to hell 1t smashed the whole
of London!" And, brushing aside the
startled Trimmer, he went out into
the night.
It was nearly twelve o'clock when
Mr.. Minot, somewhat calmer OF mind
returned to the De la Pax. AS ne
stepped into the courtyard he was
surprised to see a crowd gathered be
fore the hotel Then he noticed thai
from second floor window poured
smoke and fame, and that the towr
fire department was wildly getting in
to action.
He stopped-his heart almost ceas
ed beating. That was her window
The window to which he had calico
her on that night that seemed go fa1
away-last night! Breathlessly NJ
ran forward.
/ And he ran straight into grour
lust descended from the ballroom
OF that group Cynthia Meyrick was
member. For moment they stooe
gazing at each other. Then the cir
turned to her aunt. !.
"My wedding dress!" she cried. :"
left it lying on my bed Oh, can,
possibly be married tomorrow If tina
Is burned"