Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-07-25


The two men were sitting upon a
way construction camp in Alaska. liz
the roadway, mile from shore, Il
yacht pulled at her anchor Nearer. Il
motor boat was rushing through the
water towards the land place. AS Tom
Marshall watched it absently, one OF
the two women in 1t waved her hand
to him.
He turned inQuiringly toward his
friend.
"You did not tell me you had any
one with you"
Kate, only and one guest jim
Chapman answered, Ticking the ash
from the end Of his cigar. Kate did
not care to come alone and felt herself
fortunate when Sarah Norris accepted
her invitation. Neither Of them knew
you were here. 1t Is your chance. Don't
let any of your fool notions ruin the
situation. The girl has right to hap.
piness SO have you. She may or may
not care for you, but you owe it to her
to tell her how 1t stood with you when
you left without word after weeks OF
constant companionship. You never
wrote. l presumed"
"No."
well. we will be here several weeks
as l have interests that must be looked
after. Later on. We go to Nome and
up the Yukon. Ask for leave and come
with us. There are wonderful pos
sibilities in the intimacy of yacht life"
he ended with laugh.
Marshall shook his head, his face
grim.
You played me pretty trick, Jim.
will never be known as the husband
of a rich woman. People shall not say
| married her for her money, even II
she would have me, which Is doubtful.
Blast the money and blast such
damnable pride! What difference does
it make which has it,
"All the difference in the world to
me- Tom Marshall answered and for
moment silence rested between them
as they went forward to join the two
who were now standing on the beach.
They picked up their friendship
where it had been dropped the sum-
mer before, only Marshall was more
silent than the girl had known him.
If she wondered over it she gave no
sign, but now, as then, they were to-
gether whenever 1t was possible foc
him to get away from his duties. The
days slipped by so rapidly he did not
realize the length of Jim Chapmans
stay until she told him one evening
they would sail the following morning.
This Is our last evening" she said
to him, unless you will come with us.
jim says you can get away il you wish.
Yes" he replied somewhat heavily.
"but | think it best not to CO.
Twill you tell me why you feel that
way" she asked presently.
His face hardened with sudden re
solve.
Il think you know"
Tell me-"
Because of you
81 cannot believe that. II you con-
sidered me you would accompany US.
1t is yourself you are considering
"In what way?"
She bent forward, looking up at him
as he stood beside the railing. "Mr.
Marshall you are man OF obstinate
pride. Has it ever occurred to you that
through it you may give deadly hurt
to some one?"
Whom do you mean by some one
She hesitated perceptibly, then said
slowly, Myself
do you realize what you are say,
ing?"
"Perfectly. ! am making fight for
happiness and l do not feel l lose in
womanlness by SO doing" Her breath
came little more quickly, why
should my money stand between me
and that which Is every woman's right
the right to be lOved?'
"You make it hard for me-" he said
between his teeth.
THAT is what I am trying to do. Do
you think do not know what stands
between us? Do you think 1 did not
know last summer when you left so
suddenly without a word of explana-
! ton? waited, hoping for word from
| you, but none came. was sure then.
| You have an iron jaw, Tom Marshall.
an iron will, an obstinate pride. Yet
you can be gentle. You would not hurt
a little child. Why, then should yon
hurt a woman, hurt yourself, because
fate gave her something more than you
possess? 1t is not fair
He turned troubled face to her.
"You love me?'
"Yes, came with Jim and Kate be-
| cause knew you were here. thought
you would view things in a different
light in the open spaces where men do
work that counts. 1t would seem that
/ was mistaken, however"
He threw back his head as If shift
ing a heavy burden. Then he took her
hands and held them against his lips.
"You will come with u.s." she asked.
Upon the condition that you will
marry me before we leave
She raised startled eyes to his. Then
she laughed softly. Surely you are a
man of contradictions. But l think
Kate can manage a wedding suppe.
even If the bride does not appear In
the conventional wedding dress. I will
be ready when you come she said.