Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-04-29
Euening Story
HOW HE PROPOSED.
BY Susan e. ClaQett.
Copyright, 1919, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

| copyright, 1916 by the Mcclure
| Newspaper Syndicate.)
In the half light of an October even
Ing the room was charming. To the
man coming from the frosty outside
air 1t was full of luxurious comfort
Surrounding all was the subtle breath
OF refinement that makes possible a
harmonious whole.
The man paused an instant, his eyes
taking in every familiar detail; then
| they rested upon the woman standing
before the open fire.
"The fates are indeed kind she said
as he advanced toward her. 81 was be-
ginning to think myself forgotten"
Never that he answered, smile
lighting his face, think it the exigen-
cies of business, anything, but not that
AS he spoke he pushed an easy chair
nearer the fire and sank into it with a
sigh of content. II have lost much,
know. You, who have it always, can
not appreciate the charm, the delight
| OF such room as this to weary man.
1t is always before me as haven of
| rest and has SO tantalized me this day
! that was forced to yield to my mood
although my desk is piled high with
unfinished work"
cordially. "Of my many friends, your
presence is the most acceptable"
Are you not Mistaken" he ques-
toned gravely. 1T has seemed to me
! that | have lately been on the outside
position that has so annoyed me
hoped for just such chance as this
1t is months since we have had had a
quiet talk together"
Perhaps you have not sought the
opportunity she responded, taking a
fan from the table and holding it so as
to screen her eyes from the f1relight
1T was never necessary before-why
now" he asked in some amazement.
She laughed.
"You are cutivattng your imagina.
| ton, or perhaps you are not well. It
takes little to make one suspicious un.
der the latter circumstances"
Il am perfectly we'll and have
never been suspicious in my life. The
change Is in you, not in me-"
And my offense? Tell me what it is"
And she looked at him with a flash Of
amusement in her eyes.
II cannot. 1t is intangible. It is as
if you had shut door in my face and
said, Thus far but no farther"
"a Pigment of your brain,'' she an
swered lightly What have you been
writing lately? A story? If so, I sus-
pect this room has figured in it and in.
cidentally it's MISTRESS
Il would have no skill in portraying
the subtle working of your woman's
mind" he replied with some bitterness.
81 will confess to many faults, but at
least l am honest and not given to sub
terfuge." - - -
"A suggestion that I ann"
"A woman feels privileged to hide
herself in the mood Of the moment,
does she not?"
She dropped her fan and looked at
him in silence. Then she said gently:
"Your voice sounds angry Are you
trying to provoke quarrel? Do not.
l will not quarrel with you. For some
reason you are not yourself and I feel
that I am proving an irritant instead
of helping you pass restful and quiet
hour
Then why do you always fence with
me?" he asked impatiently. TT has
OCOh IAAo "oy III 11AOAtAS PchoIs OuI IL
is unlike you. I value our friendship
The privilege of coming and going as
I willed has for years been my chief
pleasure. But this rift within the lutte
that you will not explain away leaves
me stranded. Our old time friendship
is gone. Do you wonder that make
fight for it, that resent bitterly resent
this something that has come between
us?"
Believe me, I have been most I'M
fortunate If my manner has conveyed
such an impression" she said slowly
Jack" with swift glance into his
gloomy face, "for how long have we
been friends?' --.s
For more years than care to re.
member" he responded promptly.
She rarely called him by his name
and he was conscious of keen delight
in the unaccustomed word coming
from her lips He shaded his eyes
from the freight and looked closely at
her. There was note in her voice he
had never heard before, but darkness
had fallen and her face was in shadow.
II have always thought my name
rather good sort, but never realize
its possibilities until hear you use It,
Why don't you do so oftener?"