Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-01-30

deeply rooted in my life dreams. NO"
she repeated, II want my music more
than ! want you-under tho condl-
tons" She drew the beautiful dta-
monG from her finger.
Robinson's eyes flashed. His quick
LANCER frightened Madge.
Don't give me back that bauble,"
no sale roughly. Its no good to me,
aud I would only toss 1t into the
street." He flung himself out of the
room while Madge watched him with
a feeling akin to relief
When he had gone she fell to Won
dering why she was SO little affected
ny the smashing up of her first love
affair. With firmly act lips she put
the ring into her bureau drawer and
shut the romance from her life.
The following day she discovered
upon looking at her bank book that
her account was perilously near to tot.
tering. 1t was then that Madge wcpt
bitterly. She knew that the piano
abe had rented for So month must
20. She could not afford it longer.
/ That SO would be nee,led for Dread and
butter.
When she had flushed weeping she
vas white and her eyes Ihone bril-
iiantly. Snc could not live without. a
piano.
Out of the depths of her misery
came the realization of the ring lying
In her drawer. 1t was perfectly
useless jewel that meant nothing to
her and the price of which would buy
her splendid piano! A friend OF
hers had once sold piece Of jewelry
for set of furs and Madge saw no
reason why she could not exchange
her ring in the same way.
The advertisement she put in the
paper the next day was eagerly read
by one Jimmy Canes. Jimmy was IN
tending to propose to Nelly Wake,
but did not feel that even Nelly was
worth going into debt for and shs
was the kind of girl who would prize
an engagement ring. Jimmy could
not spend a couple of hundred dollars
Just at the moment, but he could
sacrifice his piano. Nelly was not In
the Least fond of music. and much as
Jimmy regretted the tact he felt that
she had other good qualities,
I He sighed with unconscious visit
fitness. Jimmy had always pictured
golden haired woman sitting at his
rosewood piano with a soft light on
her upturned face while she sang to
him and soothed away all worries OF
the day. Alas for dreams! Jimmy's
piano was to be thing of the past
He hoped that the fellow who wanted
it would take care Of it, Jimmy sup
posed the person who had avertised
was perhaps some man whose girl had
Tilted him and given back his fling.
Since he felt more or less anxious
to get the proposal over and his future
settled, Jimmy went to the address
mentioned in the advertisement.
As he climbed the stairs in a Bohe-
mian part of the city he paused to
listen to the voice that penetrated into
the halls from one of the rooms. 1t
was a voice rich in timber and one
that set ,Jimmy's music-loving heart to
beating excitedly. He hardly breathed
while the girl finished her song and
not until he felt that she was not go
ing to sing again did he continue his
search for the number he wanted.
Madge answered the door and jim
my's lately excited heart jumped sud
denly into action again. Nelly was
person Of the past and dim ages when
he behld Madge. At least, In the I'M
expected meeting he forgot Nelly.
II have come in answer to this,
he told Madge and held out the ad-
vertisement.
"Oh. / am SO glad! Do come in.''
She opened the door and Jimmy step
ped into the poor little room that
Madge called home. He fell to won
dering Immediately what story lay be-
hind her in connection with the ring
she wanted to dispose of.
Madge was not long in enlightening
him. Her story was simple and she
told it in a frank manner that put
Jimmy in complies possession OF her
true character. That her charm Of
manner, together with her wonderful
voice, would place her in an exalted
position of fame was a self-ev1dent
fact. He sighed and pondered on the
possibility of a great singer becoming
interested in mere business man.
He thought, the chances were few.
However, the glance Madge turned full
upon him was not altogether without
some expression that made Jimmy
hope.
II will miss the piano like thunder
he said. do you think | might come
up some evenings and sit in corner
while you practice?'
Madge laughed mischievously. "WiH
the ring and its recipient not afford
you sufficient amusement" she asked.
mo, they won't Jimmy told her
frankly, while he watched a rose
bloom in Madges cheeks. II have de-
cided not to propose to the girl who
doesn't love music-not yet, at least.
Then you are not going to make
the exchange Madge cried in quick
disappointment.
ooh, yes" Jimmy said. II want to
make the exchange all right, but am
not sure what I will do with the ring.
He looked rather anxiously into
Madge's eyes and again Madge laugh
ed. 81 might in turn exchange 1t for
couple of nice big chairs"
"A coupler" he questioned Madge.
you should get at least four for that
ring"
Anything you say" he laughed
back at her, and turned serious eyes
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