Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-27

ged and Stats were gone from them:
the porch was in tumble down condi-
tion, but to Offset the general dilapida-
| tlon We're great clumps Of lilacs and
snoWballs and mock orange just burst
ing into bud that would be q mass Of
beauty few weeks later on. The
place had untold possibilities and John
Gray glanced down at the girl beside
MIN wondering II the thought in his
mind could be in hers, but the eyes she
raised to his were clear and he turned
! away rather than let her read what he
1elt was written upon his face
Ihey entered the large living room
. from the porch. In it and the one on the
opposite side Of the house were huge
nreplaces and as John Gray looked
about he said:
If you people will take mother and
me for the summer we will both ap-
preciate it, Only this morning she said
she wished she lived within an hours
ride from town. She would be delighted
with the place"
Weeds and all?" Bob asked with
slight laugh. II think you could find d
more suitable place to spend the sum-
mer months"
of course it will require time to
make 1t look as it should" Gray an
swered. but Jane will make 1t home
before then and you two will beneht by
yard in order I venture you Will not
know the place by the end OF June.
grant 1t is not desira bic for you to give
up your positions Just yet, and II you
feel you cannot take. care Of the land
shall be glad to lease it Of you"
Jack was looking frowningly through
a back window at the evidences Of an
old fashioned garden. He turned now.
You can have the land, OF course, IL
INV 1tyysv, \ 4.
sible."
Before You decide, look we'll at
Jane" the other said quietly THE girl
ls In desperate need OF the very things
she can get on this old farm. You can
take no risks with her. Try It this sum
mer at least. Give her the chance to get
strong"
The three were watching the g4ri ~
she moved here and there among the old
flower borders. She looked up and cali
ed to them deliEhtedly.
Lilies Of the valley are blooning in
this corner. Jack. Do come quickly, all
had seen her as she really was, a slip
OF thing with eyes too large for
face that held no vestige OF color and
moving with an inertness utterly unlike
her usual briskness Jack caught hts
breath sharply and John knew he has
won consent although no wOrQ WAS
spoken.
This was in Apr1l-the middle Of II
The first Of May found the barrels In
their grandfather's old home, and none
too soon. James strength had suddenly
failed during the last days in the
apartment and they carried her into the
big living room she had SO longed to
make into home for her boys.
1t was here John found her one even
ing as he stood before the open Are.
necessary for comfort during the early
June nights. he felt he could no longer
keep back words that for months had
been clamorins for utterance. The fri
was almost herself once more and she
was telling him about her garden.
John" she was saying. ut is . vsf1-
table treasure trove. Every day ! hnd
something new coming out Of the
ground. When your mother arrives the
late roses will be blaze Of color and
50 many other plants are showing buds.
="
But ne interrupted her.
Jane he said simply. Il love you
dearly. Have you thought for me"
She answered as simply as he had
spoken:
II think. John have loved you all
my life, but I was not sure until"
"Until"
THE day you won Jack over into
making this our home"