Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-07-22

Summit Lake had been asked and all
kinds Of smart equipages lined the
drive. A gaily dressed crowd formed
itself in groups around, tea tables un-
der striped canopies and low shade
trees. Some were in the pergola, some
wandering through the garden and 9th
ers had found seats in the natural
grove Of elms that the landscape gar
dener had had the good sense to leave
undisturbed. Here on rustic bench
were seated Elsa and Cousin George
Salisbury.
Elsa had adopted the second plan on
her list-that Of presenting the west
erner to the girls in the pergola and
few OF the guests then running off with
him. The outward appearance was re.
assuring, in fact perplexing. Certainly
they had no need to be ashamed OF
the smart trap that had brought him or
of his well made white clothes. True.
he was bronzed-but the weatherbeat-
en- look only added distinction to a
clear cut striking face.
But to be on the safe side about the
verbs, Elsa had steered him naturally
and quietly away from the crowd and
he fell in instantly with her plan.
AS they seated themselves in the
cool shade Of the trees. the man looked
up through the spreading elms and
around at the soft, velvety grass and
then his gaze rested for an instant UP.
on the quiet, pretty girl at his side,
dressed simply in soft, exquisite white.
He sighed ever so softly and half clos.
ed his eyes.
"This is-delicious, and If you will
pardon me a pleasant surprise. +
wasn't expecting anything so agree.
able"
II don't quite understand, Mr.. Sails.
bury"
"No wonder! It's inexcusable of me
but am little out Of sorts today and
things have way Of popping out that
I don't intend to say at all. mean that
these trees are wonderful, they are
like home and-and you are wonderful
--you are like home, too. There!
Don't ask me to explain any further.
III only get in deeper. I want to
thank you for not trotting me around
to all these tiresome people to be pet.
ted like poodle on chain
"But why should 1?'
''1 don't know why you should, but il
seems to be the thing. I have feel.
ing that am on exhibition most of
the time" Elsa smiled involuntarily
but her answer was irrelevant.
"You like our trees! They are won.
derful aren't they? But don't know
they had elms like these outside Of
New England. Where in the west do
they grown"
"Nh 7 vac MT ara, L;oo ~ +bn x,,ne%
: When say home I mean England. You
see, my mother was a western woman
and my father married her there. They
lived in Montana only two years,
where l was born. Then my father
took us to England. I've always lived
there. I've spent the last year and a
half in the army in Belgium and
France however. I'm only here for
short time on business Being in this
part Of the country, l thought I'd hunt
up my relatives. l wanted to see Aunt
Margaret and these little girls I'm
sorry their mother and father are away
But there are mpensations-I have
met you'll"
Elsa's usually clear white skin was
burning. The westerner and the won.
derful Englishman were the same then
What a fine nix.up they had made Of
things!
do you want to talk to the girls
now" she asked suddenly. They will
be furious with me for keeping you all
to myself"
Il suppose I'd better" he agreed
"but not until you'll promise to give
me some of your time tomorrow. We
can motor, go boating, anything you
like, but must see YOU" earnestly. ~
leave on Friday"
"I'll be very glad to DO anything you
WISH she answered, her heart giving
a queer little flutter.
And to add to the general excitement
when the girls heard the truth that
evening they learned also from their
aunt over the phone that he was not
only colonel In the army, but real
live earl besides.
"We'vs missed our chance!" they
pouted ruefully. what stiles we
were"
But how about me?" asked Elsa,
smiling happily.
"You darling!' they cried as they
threw their arms around her and kiss.
ed her. We'll keep him in the FAM
lily after ALL