Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1918-02-28
By PERRY NEWBERRY.

ly, benevolent-appearing man should
do such atrocities could not imagine.
Would monarchial objection to this
marriage 60 to such extremes in its
prevention? Could political oppo-
sition to the duke be excuse for the
the truth was locked in the stolid
mind of Belgrag, in the reticent Gregr
and in the heart of a country still as
medieval as the Dark Ages, the
Grand Duchy of Igera.
"Senora Reade," said to Isabelle's
mother, you may have seen-guessed
that love your daughter"
She looked up from an embroidery
frame, and her eyes smiled SO like
Isabelle's that i was sure she would
not be harsh to my request. 1t was
the afternoon of my first day in Du-
range, and we sat in the cool shade
of the patio at the senora's hacienda
in the hills.
"Yes, senor," said Isabelle's moth
er, which was non-committal and
meant go on-say it-finish-con-
clude. looked around for help from
Isabelle, but she had vanished.
"Of course l am not worthy" con-
tinued weakly and tritely. "In fact,
I'm worse than that-Tm forty, twice
her age. That is fearful disparity,
Mrs.-Senora Reade"
"Mr. Reade was forty-eight," she re-
piled. "Forty-eight and l was sixteen
when we wed, and it was not dispar-
ity-nor fearful! We were greatly
happy and blessed"
Here was encouragement! Now let
me get across all the good points in
the inventory of my possessions and
qualifications. How did that go? Item
one, home-but had given that up;
no longer had home to offer. Item
two, friends-I had more now than
when / last inventoried, anyway Isa-
belle and her mother more, but /
couldn't offer them as a reason for
permission to marry Isabelle. Skip
item two.
Item three, money, funds, capital,
fortune. II am not very wealthy,
senora," / ventured bit nervously,
for l wanted to be real honest about
my financial condition, and that s127.-
33 had shrunk woefully! 'In fact, I'm
not at all wealthy. I'm just a pauper,
but / 10"
"Ah! So like him!" interrupted the
sonora. $50 like my dear husband
Never thought of the morrow or
worry or care for the meal that should
be next! Those were happy, happy
days, Senor Gilmore!" She sighed
blissfully at the memories of the past,
and / sighed blissfully that item
three was past.
Item four, / recalled, was expert
ence, and l was strong on experience.
But l am an experienced man of af-
fairs, Mrs. Reade," urged, brave
again. 81 am a steamer efficiency
economy expert" Then I remember
ed that / had not matriculated; was
just beginning the freshman's first
semester. II mean a newspaper writ
er, of course" / concluded lamely. "a
reporter; just dub reporter on
morning paper. But do love Isa-"
"a writer? A journalist? Mr.. Reade
was the representative of the London
Times at Madrid when first l met
him; brave and fearless writer!
must always have great admiration
for you journalists, Senor Gilmore, be-
cause of my husband"
81 have good constitution, some
arms and feet, and eyes and nose and
mouth-a chin; don't forget the chin,
senora!" l was certainly mussing up
those last items of the inventory.
Hair and a face nd-and-nothing
at all to offer Isabelle but a love
which means all that is good in me!
And you must give her to me be.
| cause"
Because you will make her happy,
senor," said Isabelle's mother placing
her hand on mine, "and there is moth
ing better to give her than happi-
ness. So shall send her to you now
that you may tell her that you love
her. l wish you every success, John
| Gilmore" / raised her hand to my
lips in gratitude.
Because Of ribs, l had to wait for
| 4odDSlS " SOiht W mt WnlCu BIC ulut
very quietly, demurely.
"My mother said you wished to see
me-" she said shyly, and her eyes
were cast down.
And l was tonguetied. 1t is one
thing to tell the girl you love her
when you have your arms around her
with darkness all about, and quite an
other to say 1t in answer to "My moth
er said you wanted to see me-" while
she stands, tall and slender, beside
you, out of reach. her black hair re-
flecting the sun and shadow, her red
lips opened just to show pearl teeth
In deliciously mysterious smile, her
thick lashes hiding the telltale eyes
which might answer the mystery of
the lips, and her bosom rising and
falling to the rhythm of her breath!
"And didn't you want to see me,