Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-10-27
inc to do" she said. and LETT the room

81 wish she would stay, SAID Mrs.
Rider when she was out Of hearing.
so do L.. seconded the professor,
Cant you induce her to remain
"No, she seems to think that she
should co." answered his mother, dole
, fully. "You know, her father before
his death. arranged that she should
| live with her aunt, and of course. the
aunt is very anxious TO have her. |
,, have suspicion that she means TO
marry her to that worthless son OF
hers. He is willing, If only to get the
money the girl has. 1t would be
shame to have that happen.
He sighed deeply, but did not speak
II wish you would marry her. Her.
man. she continued hesitatingly. she
is the only girl I know whom ] would
like to have for daughter
A hopeless smile fitted across the
Young mans face II would be willing,
mother" he answered, but am not
the sort of man a girl like that mar,
ries. She is young and full of life,
while am almost an old man already
at least in my way of living. 1t would
be something like hitching trotter
up with draft horse
you are only five years older than
she is" returned the mother stoutly.
land IL believe she would If you
would ask her. She bushes when
speak OF YOU"
| Mother. You haven't ever suggest
ed it, have you?' he asked with hor-
rified look.
! "No-but believe she would"
Il shouldn't know how to ask her.
J I'm going to send her down here"
! decided the mother suddenly. You
| lust ask her" and she was mounting
| the stairs before he could demonstrate.
II was but few minutes until he
heard the girl coming slowly down.
did YOU want to see me?' she asked,
hesitating in the doorway.
"Why-why. no." he stammered. ut
terly confused. That ls-wont you
sit down."
He pushed chair forward ana the
girl sank into it. :.
| your mother said you wanted me.
she said
II do he answered. boldly making
| the plunge and then feeling his cour-
age deserving him.
i II am awfully sorry you are gong
awav." he continued lamely. unable 10
think of anything else he could trust
himself to say.
| "Are vouo" she returned simply.
IL know we haven't made ii very
n,ea SAINT for YOU here" he temporlzed.
,.We-we-aren't very lively. ! sup
pose"
ooh that is Just what I have liked
! about II It is all so quiet and home
like
| ..Why do YOU have to go?'' he qnes-
toned
81 cant stav here all the time.
mot II YOU had reason to-?
| "Rut ! have no reason.
J He felt that the case was becoming
desnerate, Size headed him off az
every start he made He wondered
! what tho nrcrer nrccednre was. Should
no oet down O., his k~ees ard ask he-
10 marry him forthwith? She would
NOT like that. he felt ere. That would
he foo Electrical. He MIGHT inst go
over and take her in his arms but that
would frjehten her Truly it was a
,-vins situation. He began to re'ret
that he had never had any experience
/ in love maxine.
.J.enore. listen Lenore.' he began
arain irving TO speak evenly Il
want Won to stav. We need YOU here,
mother and I. She needs some Young
person with her. some one to talk to
and to keep her mind diverted. some
one toto make this q real home
Really. Herman. II can't stay any
| longer" she reiterated.
"pnt we both want YOU to STAY" ne
nersisted. "That gives Won a right TO
Motber-she would feel lonely ! now
! without Won. Your amt doesn'nt need
Won Won't you stay"
The girl considered the question
| minute in silence NO Herman she
F., said at length. st really wouldn't be
right for me to stav any longer.
cou6ln't live here all the time. any
wav. People might talk
"Talk." he repeated. mystified.
what foro" Then suddenly her mean
inc dawned upon him "That-that
is what I mean, Leonore." he said
quickly. 81 don't want anybody to
have right to talk
."Why-whv Herman! | don't under
stand vow" she said. rising. What do
YOU
~ love you, Leonore want YOU to
marry me-" he said. grown suddenly
brave taking her in his arms. Il
mo1her wants you 70 marry me. too.
he clinched the argument. VIII yo"
stav. now?
Eyes" she said "I'll marry you for
your--your- mothers sake.
. Q o . o . . q q