Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1920-04-01
A
LOVE FICTION
By oTILL1A +. PFEIFFER
tcopyr,sht. 1sas. Western Newspaper unio,

By OTILLIA F. PFEIFFER
tcoDyr,Eht. 1889. Western Newspaper Union,
There was always a pleasant, inter-
ested smile on the face Of Drury Law,
renee whenever his fellow clerks
chatted about home, wives, sweet
hearts or love. He was quiet, unas-
Stunning young man. and Eric Dawes,
his one close friend, had often noticed
the sympathetic glow in his honest,
earnest eyes, and wondered why it
grow so intense, on the occasions
noted.
Drury was closing his desk late one
afternoon and he and Eric were the
only occupants Of the room. A bright
hearted young fellow, q new clerk, had
just left after showing an engagement
ring to Drury he intended presenting
to his fiancee. Drury listened to his
eulogies Of its intended recipient with
pleased attention.
"You must be happy man in your
own love affairs to be 80 ready to ap-
preciate that Of Others" suggested
Eric.
A peculiar expression crossed the
face Of Drury. It was serious, yet
tender and expressive. A dreamy, far
away look came into his eyes as he
said:
There has been only one so-cafled
love affair In my life, Eric. and there
will never be another. Do you know
who that is?" and he produced a. pho
tograph from drawer in the desk.
Z why, It is Miss Ina Vermont" ex-
claimed Eric in unmitigated surprise.
You don't mean to say that you are
interested In that directionT
"Eminently So" replied Drury, and
his tones were fairly reverential. 81
have loved her devotedly for over two
years. You are my only confidant, SO
respect my secret. See!" and he pro-
duced packet of letters tied with a
bit Of ribbon. "Each month I. have
written to her, unfolding my heart, be-
ginning with Dear Miss Vernon and
now addressing her as My Souls
Treasure"
Eric was fairly. astounded. This
quiet, unpretentious friend had out
stripped them alll Miss Ina Vernon,
the daughter Of the wealthy manufac-
turer! In correspondence with her
for two years-she, the proud beauty
Of leading familyl The souls only
treasure" Of plain, humble office
clerk.
'Then-then you are engaged7' In
situated Eric.
"In my letters" replied Drury in
puzzling accents Of sadness; "in let
ters never sent. 1 have carried on a
love fiction for my own hopeless con-
ISOLATION only. Miss Vernon unknown
ingly took possession Of my heart. I
realized my yearnings were as those
Of a rushlight craving for the star. I
was content to love her in secret. I
have never spoken to her. She has
never read line Of my letters"
"And you are never going to tell
her" spoke Eric, with genuine feel
Grafton Of any woman!"
ut would be presumptuous. have
no right to- aspire, to hope" replied
Drury sorrowfully. "Let my dream
Ing suffice. She is Of another world
than NINE"
Drury reclted how, when Miss YER
non had lost pet spaniel. he had re-
stored 1t through the home servants,
refusing to accept the reward ten
dered or to disclose his identity.
Again, 1t was he who had been near
at hand when Mr.. Vernon, ut variance
with some Of his mill employees. was
assailed by mob. Drury saved the
magnate from shower of dangerous
missiles and then vanished
Then, too, in seeking an office friend
who was off on spell Of dissipation,
in shielding him from group Of gam
blers. Drury had rs well run across
Manfred Vernon, the brother of Ina.
His efforts and warnings had signally
turned the footsteps Of both the young
men from the downward path.
1t was about two months after the
disclosure to Eric that the latter was
startled by reading in the morning
paper that u young man named Drury
Lawrence, passing the mansion Of
John Vernon. had sprung upon Turk
ing intruder about to place lighted
bomb within the vestibule, had flung 1t
away from the house, but it's explosion
had reached him, decorating and half
binding him. He had been removed
to hospital, and the article commend
ed his heroism and spoke of the graft.
-tude Of the Vernon family over this
great act OF self-sacrifice.
Eric fastened to the hospital to find
Drury suffering but radiant He had
saved Ina and her family! 1t was
enough! The surgeon said he would
recover both sight and strength IA
time. Eric left the hospital with
firm resolution in his mind. That
afternoon he called upon Miss Ina
Vernon. True-souled friend that he
was, he told her all and placed in her
hands the beautiful love letters Drury
had written. Eric, too, told her of
his hidden acts of devotion in behalf
Of her father and brother.
He had only to watch the lovely
face of Ina Vernon to know that the
revelation influenced every sentiment