Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-22
uening Story
METHOD IN HIS MADNESS.
Ry L, M, Weston.
Copyright, 1916. by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

newspaper SyHulCaSS.)
HE is simply crazy, Edna" de-
clared Mrs. Burnett, with conviction.
1T is town talk and you are very
foolish not to break of your engage
ment Immediately with man VINO
sleeps on a board, eats nothing but
bread and milk and health foods and
retires every night before twelve.
What kind of life can you expect
with such a husband?"
IT don't know as those are habits
likely to harm a wife," returned Edna
bravely, although her blue eyes filled
with tears, but as you say they are
rather queer for stalwart young
man to adopt"
Queer" shifted Mrs. Burnett dis
painfully. II should say queer was
a very mild word. Did you ever men,
ton the subject to him?'
Eyes" was the reply, "a few weeks
ago. In fact, Brother Ted told me
about-about his unusual actions be-
fore he did you"
81 suppose So" returned Mrs. Bur.
nett, with an air of forced resigna-
ton. Children are 30 undutiful now
adays to their parents: but may your
mother presume to inquire II your
fiance was able to explain his remark
able course of conduct"
"He said he could If would only
wait and trust him little longer"
answered Edna.
Trust him." repeated Mrs. Burnett,
wrathfully, until he gets into tho
lunatic asylum, l suppose"
She rose as she spoke ana fiounced
out of the room, leaving her daughter
plunged in painful reflections.
A moment later, the portieres at the
other end Of the room were softly
withdrawn and fine looking young
man appeared.
Edna looked up with a startled air.
no." she gasped, how long have you
been behind those curtains?"
Long enough to hear myself called
a lunatic," he replied, his dark eyes
sparkling with merriment. your re-
spected mother rubbed 1t in, didn't
she? But hope you won't take her
advice and give me my walking tick
et."
As he spoke he bent over the girl
and pressed fervent kiss on her lips
which was shyly, yet Enthusiastically,
returned.
II can't give you up, Jo," she muir
INJURED affectionately, "but do wish
you would tell me why-why you do
queer things"
won't insomnia and indigestion ex-
plain it," he queried lightly.
Edna glanced at him responsibility
and then burst into tears. you are
the picture of health" she sobbed.
why do you tell me such tara
diddles?" 49,"
"You don't believe nae, them" he
asked anxiously. you won't trust
me?" " @'.-F
She looked up into his face that had
grown very stern and sombre as he
waited for an answer to his question.
YES" she said firmly, II believe
| in you, I trust you, but every one is
making remarks about your strange
way of living, and-and I don't know
the reason why any more than-than
people who are only slightly &C
quainted with you, and yeti am sup
posed to be your nearest and dearest.
If only you would show your love for
me by taking me into your confidence
Il would keep our secret"
But supposing it isn't a secret"
he suggested. "You know told you.
dear. that would confde in you as
soon rs could"
but how soon?" she persisted. TT
has been three months now, and
and it is very hard to wait-and wait
with every one saying mean things"
| "And you cant wait any longer?"
he queried. Patience has ceased to
be q virtue and you are ready to break
our engagement"
| Again she looked up in his face,
and the love and tenderness that
shone in his eyes conquered her She
shook her head, saying, mo, 10,
love you with all my heart and have
absolute faith in you, only-only
want you to know how hard 1t is so
you won't make me wait any longer
that is absolutely necessary"
| A triumphant smile lighted his face.
He took her in his arms and kissing
her rapturously, said fondly: my dar-
ling girl, you are not going to wait
another hour. l came around today
to tell you, but couldn't resist the
temptation to find out If you could or
would trust me longer and it has made
me very happy, sweetheart, to learn
how much faith you have in me. Now
for the mystery: A few months ago
Harold Flint was spending the even
ing with my father. You know the
two are old friends and Mr.. Flint is
my godfather. Well, my brother and
sister and were in another room and
We began to discuss the old gentle
man, and said that I wished / had
half his money My sister said she
didn't, If she would have to be old
like him, and not able to sleep or eat
we'll, or have any real good times. I
differed with her and said that = I
should be willing to sleep every night
on a hard board, eat nothing but bread
and milk and health foods, abandon
|evening entertainments and go to bed
early for half of Mr. Flint's income"
81 begin to understand murmured
Edna.
He smiled grimly as he continued:
"You would understand better If you
had had my experiences for the past
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