The Denison review. [volume] (Denison, Iowa) 1867-current, 1919-11-26
When Love
Came
@0
BY ETA VERNE LYNDON
NvS~P%PVVVVVV
copyright. 1919. By the Western News.
u paper Union.)

spoke old Jared Bliss to his faVOr1te
nephew, and the latter looked startled
ut the suggestion.
II shall think it over seriously, Un-
Gle jared" replied Ransom Bliss, but
vaguely.
BY strange coincidence at almost
that very hour Mrs. Walter Morse was
talking over affairs with her niece,
Elsie Briggs.
II promised my sister, your mother,
when she died." she said, that you
should never need a home. My hus-
band Is to represent the firm employ.
Ing him in far western Canada; mean
while what are your plans, dear?"
Elsie looked serious, but not dis
tressed. She had been given a sensi-
IDLE, practical bringing up, and had
already thought over the future. Mrs
Morse listened indulgently as Elsie
spoke Of going to the city and earn
Ing her own living.
"You two have been so good to me.
must not further burden you," she
said. II am sure can earn my own
way, Aunty." ..e..... ... ..
Mrs. Morse grew very thoughtful.
Then, after long pause, she said: Il
would like to see you married.. with a
good man for a husband and home
fof your own" but Elsie shook her
head smilingly. H.. .'.g-- -.%,s..
Two evenings later as Elsie sat on
the porch Ransom Bliss appeared. He
and Elsie had been friendly acquaint-
Sances for over year, and the latter
looked puzzled and then embarrassed
as Ransom, after some casual con-,
tversatiOn, moved his chair closer to-
wards her and said:
II came on special mission this
evening, Elsie. 1t Is to ask you If you
i will marry me-"
j Elsie flushed quickly and her voice
was trifie unsteady as she said, with
out the least trace Of affectation:
II never expected that you-you-"
Scared for you, Elsie? Yes Loved
you? No. True affection is too sacred
a thing to be named lightly. am
q plain-spoken man. There is no wom-
an whom more deeply respect and ad-
smire, and / would be proud to call
you my wife. I will devote my life
to make you happy" t....' .'
Elsie sat with eyes cast down and
fiuttering secretly at heart. She did
not reply on impulse, nor for long
time. Then. evenly enough, she
spoke:
~ feel that you have honored me,
Mr.. Bliss, and appreciate your clear.
honest words. We have always been
good friends. I shall be frank with
you in turn. You say you do not
love me, and I can confess for You
nothing deeper than esteem. am
poor, humble, and will soon be home
less. would not have you later re-
greet that I can be nothing more to
you than loyal, helpful wife, who,
however, can never forget that in a
measure this would be a marriage Of
convenience"
u And SO they were welded, and, after
the death of his uncle, Ransom Bliss
and his bride took up their residence
at the old family home. They settled
down into their new life more like
partners than welded mates. In all
things Ransom was considerate and
courteous and Elsie was model house
keeper, and all that respect and
thoughtfulness could suggest. Never
was there jar or misunderstanding.
Many q time, however, as he looked at
the beautiful girl, like himself engaged
in reading, Ransom realized that she
was possessed of rare womanly quail.
ties, while Elsie, in turn, when alone.
sighed drearily, acknowledging his per.
lection as man among men, and she
was at variance with the compact they
had made. ,.. 81 -.-. <. So.
There came an unexpected separa-
ton a little later. The presence OF
Ransom was required in settling up
some business of the estate at Abing'
don, "a miles distant. For the first
few weeks he came home over Sunday,
but finally his absence ran into full
month. Elsie was wretched. An i'm
pulse came over her to at least see
him. A trolley line ran to a junction
half the distance and then Joined an
other line. She reached it about eight
o'clock in the evening to wait for the
Intersection car. From Abingdon
there arrived car branching off and
. passenger alighted to wait for
connection. He came into the dimly
lighted little station. Elsie recognized
him as her husband. .....
5sg'.'Why, Elsiew he spoke in surprise.
III must tell yor the TRUTH" she said.
'1,was lonely without you. I was go
Ing to visit Abingdon, If it was only
to see you at a distance"
The man drew deep breath, "And
T." he said in tones that thrilled her,
"only sought to look through the win
dow Of our home and see if you were
well and happy"
Happier now than ever have
been" she breathed raptly, for his arm
had stolen about her waist.
{ '.Elsie," he cried, "can it be possible
/ that we made a mistake In the pasta"
Z -