Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1918-12-26
THEIR BELIZE
BY JACK WALTON.
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Copyright. 1918. Western Newspaper ~

guests of the Lakeside hotel. She had
been seated at table In the dinlas
room when he arrived the night b.
fore. Someone mumbled an introduo
ton in passing he had been unable -
catch the girls name, but he rspsmp
bered the unusual blue Of her eyes.
CHANGING up now from her book, she
settled his indecision with an impslsive
welcoming smile, then as though ~
noyed by her own graciousness, ~
bent again over the book. Also fol-
lowing some impulse, Richard Graves
spoke:
You have chosen a delightful spot
for your reading" he said, 80 sequest.
cred that thought myself alone on the
beach. The view from here is beau.
tiful.'
Yes" the girl said, again for mo-
ment her transforming smile appeared.
My home" the man began, us over
there In the city, Il" But she put
.orth protesting hand. LET US waive
personal history" said the girl, what
does 1t all matter? We come from
some place, we go on presently. some
where. This hour alone Is ours. It's
glorious day-the lake Is blue, tAs
sun shines-it Is good to be alive
The man smiled back into the u.
quaint, glowing face. It was lovely
lace, he thought. ag full Of changing
surprises as the girls own pretty
moods. Reaching out he touched IL
book with tentative finger.
What do you read?"
She frowned. "Nonsense." she A.
swered CURLY.
"And IDEALS" added the man.. I'VE
all have our ideals. They should be
carefully formed early in life for our
future plan of companionship.'
The girl leaned forward eagerly.
Just what I have always thought.
Now. in my own case" She paused
abruptly, flush sY6used htr 1aee.
my subject carries me away" - q.
cused herself to Graves.
1.-THE subject interests me-" hs ~
Piled, your views so coincide with
mine. Please go on. In lour eva
easel"
1.-THE man intent: one day 70 mar.
~" she said, answers In every way my
Ideal, both as to physical appearance,
and mental endowment. Robert -
talP'-the brOad-shouldered man who
was not tall, nodded 'and be Il pa.
tent under all my perversities. It has
taken some time to arrive thoughtfully
at my decision that our marriage win
be wise and enduring relationship.
l1nagine" the blue eyes danced,
meeting Robert and loving him at arse
sight!"
Graves sr,..led absently. 'sThe won.
an who has for some time been ny close
friend and confldant," he said. ''is stop
ping at the hotel with her mother. She
ls my ideal Of all those qualities fecea-
sary for mans true helpmate. Whist
could learn Of Elizabeth In Q frst
meetlng?"
The girl opened her book. sAAl
thereafter" she read mockingly. moth.
!. Ing in the world mattered to these twa,
save each other"
Across the waters Of the lake came
low thrilling call, the man arose Slow
~. Its Elizabeth" he said, '.shs has
the boat out and wants me to Join heg.
That's our signal"
The girl glanced at her wrist watch.
AFive o'clock" she exclaimed, ''and
, promised to meet Robert at four y
,, Comfortably she settled back In the
nook. '"Too late now" she said.
Graves fingered, as the trim still ran
down the lake. II may not have anoth-
/ er chance to talk to you like hiaIS
]. His tone was regretful.
Fainter and far away sounded thG
I call. With sigh he sank back into
!, his corner on the sands. Later, when
{ he'passed the table where the girl ~
In the hotel dining room, their eyes met
. with sense of pleasant understanding.
, At Richard Graves side was the
i woman of his ideal. The girl studied
d this woman Of noble qualities with q
certain wistfulness; she was tall. hss
j. eyes and hair were black. The girl
) was very small. now. beneath the shad-
4 ed light, her hair cleaned almost
Z golden.
9 When Graves came back to speak "a
her. she turned colby from him, and
his attitude, unlike that of the chosen
h Robert proved him to be far from '.pa.
tient with perverseness."
/, That night when all were sleeping II
their quiet rooms. winding like . ser,
pent up the fimsy walls Of the hotel
stole tongue Of fame, which burs,
= triumphantly ablase at last.
Il The girl Weakening in her high room
e desperately moved through the ch0k
s ing smoke to the one narrow window
). only to find it a hopeless means Of exit
e Desperately she caught her ktmonl
r. about her shoulders and moved aGail
A. to the window, then the door bure
u open. In the glazing light she saw 10
II moment the stranger Of the beach
is Years ago it seemed since Their proAt
n less talk of love and marriage Swift
h ly from her terrified senses fell q
fear.
NJ He" was here, "he." the one; WI
y would save her life, or give his own d
II saving; and the man's eyes lookedsbae
lie to hers, shining with 10Y.
t. Il love you" he gasped." was sffai
"a might be too late. oh, my dearss
If come quickly"
e AS naturally as child seeks It's tnotl
q. er, the girl ran into his arms. 10
1t vii come brayely," Graves admontshal
i. ssT .xill on through anvthare, q .s,sA