Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-08
Eoening Story
A LETTER FROM HOME.
By Susan e. ciaaett.
Copyright, 1916, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)


He had come across the continent to
see her and as he stood In her sitting
room was fully alive to It's nomely
comfort. Manlike, he did not notice
it's suggestion of shabbiness. he
merely thought there had been rev
changes since last he had been IN the
room and he delighted in the blazing
fire that lighted it to its furtherest
corner. IT,
He had been in the country week
and had. as yet. found no opportunity
for the question he had come to ask.
AS he waited for her he wondered
why. She had met him with the great
est friendliness; they had driven TO-
sether. walked together; had gone IN
the early morning after the turkeys
that had slipped away and had driven
them back to their inclosure. She
had told him, in a matter of'fact way,
that her income was from her poultry.
mot a large income" she had said,
"but l make fair living
He had tried to ask her then, but she
did not seem to take in his meaning.
It had been the same that afternoon.
He had asked her if she would
like to 20 west. She had thrown back
her head and laughed heartily.
"Of course. am always dreaming
of travel and some day, perhaps. Who
was it said all things comes to him
who waits?'
: He was about to tell her she need
not wait when callers interrupted.
But he was determined to know
tonight where he stood. The uncer-
tainty was telling on him. He was no
longer young man and grew irritable
and impatient at delays that were not
necessary. Eleanor knew. perfectly
we'll why he had come. what he want
ed. He had always credited her with
unusual insight into his motives, and
she, like himself, had passed the age
for dallying. Was it possible she had
changed?, He squared his shoulders
and threw back his head. No. That
was out of the question. Their cores
pondence had faltered occasionally,
but had always been resumed, even at
ter the two or three amazing letters he
had received from her several years
before, At that time the interval had
been longer.
He put his hand in his pocket aud
drew out a we'll worn letter and was
reading it as she came into the ROOM
She recognized her own handwriting
the moment she stood beside him, but
did not refer to it as she drew forward
deep, old-fashioned chair and seated
herself.
Slowly he folded the sheet, put it in
it's envelope, and returned it to his
pocket.
THAT was the first" he said. 81 re-
ceived it in Athens. The others reach.
ed me while l was in Cairo. There
were four in all and they about spoiled
my trip. They were remarkable let.
tiers, Eleanor, remarkable from the
fact they were written by so cold Il
woman as you. l have read them
every day and every day have wonder.
ed at the imbecile reply | sent you
from Rome.
81 wonder STILL l was fully aware it
was your influence that had urged me
on to accomplishment. l have sue
ceeded beyond my utmost ambition
and have you to thank for stimulating
such efforts as l have made. Know
ing how constantly I have acted upon
! your suggestions, how I have pushed
aside obstacles, overcome almost IT.
surmountable difficulties simply be
! cause you expected it of me, I have
never understood why acted as did
Whatever the reason, l have long re-
GREETED that letter, and hope you will
| believe me when say it is my dearest
hope that you will consent to be my
wife,
She did not, answer at once and heI
reply was not direct when it came.