Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-12-07
shrieks he fed, casting no glance be-
hind

shrieks he fed, casting no glance be-
hind.
When the dew was falling and the
evening was dark. small figure
moved toward the gate of the farthest
ostrich camp, driving bird before it.
When the gate was opened and the
bird driven in and the gate fastened, 1t
turned away, but then suddenly paus-
ed near the stone wall.
"Is that you. Waldo?" said Lyndall,
hearing sound.
The boy was sitting on the damp
ground, with his back to the wall. He
gave her no answer.
"Come," she said, bending over him.
Il have been looking for you all day."
He mumbled something.
You have had nothing to eat. +
have put some supper in your room.
Yon must come home with me, Wal
do"
She took his hand, and the boy rose
slowly.
She made him take her arm and
twisted her small fingers among his
You must forget she whispered.
Since It happened l walk. talk. I
never sit still. If we remember, we
cannot bring back the dead' She
knit her little fingers closer among his.
Forgetting is the best thing He did
not. watch it coming she whispered
presently. THAT is the dreadful thing
Ito see it coining! She shuddered.
II want it to come so to me too. Why
doyou think ! was driving that brdy'
she added quickly. That was Hans,
the bird that hates Bonaparte. let
him out this afternoon. thought he
would chase him and perhaps kill
him.
The boy showed no sign of interest.
"He did not catch him. but he put
his head over the half door of your
cabin and frightened him horribly. He
was there. busy stealing your things.
Perhaps he will leave them alone now,
but | wish the bird had trodden on
him"
They said no more till they reached
the door of the cabin.
vrhe.e is candle. and supper Is on
the table. You must eat" she .snid
authoritatively. 81 cannot stay with
yo'l now lest they find out about the :
bird" ~,
He grasped her arm and brought 6it
mouth close to her ear. ~.
"There is no Cod he almost Kissed,
mo God. not anywhereI''
She started.
Not anywherew $50 Il, -
He ground It out between his teeth.
and she felt his hot breath on her
cheek. ~. 81
Waldo. You are mad" she said.
drawing herself from him instinctively.
He loosened his grasp and turned
away from her also. 80
In truth. is 1t not !ife's way? We
fight our little battles alone, you yours,
! nine We must not help or find help.
When your life is most real to me
you are mad. When your agony is
BLACKLIST. | look at you and wonder.
Friendship is good a strong stick. but
when the hour comes to lean hard u
gives. In the day of their bitterest
need all souls are alone.
t1S !iGsiA StOOu ny hill III lllc udIhp
pityingly. wonderingly.. AS he walked
to the door she came after him.
Eat your supper. 1t will do you
good" she said.
| She rubbed her cheek against his
shoulder ard then ran away.
| In the. front room the little woolly
Natiii girl was washing Tant' Sannies
| feet in a small tub, ant! Eonaparte,
who sat on the wooden sofa. was pull,
ing off his shoes and stockings that his
own feet might he washed also. There
were three candles burning in the
| room, and he and Tant' Sannie sat
close together. with the lean Hottentot
not far off, for when ghosts are about
much light is needed. There is great
strength in numbers. Bonaparte had
completely recovered from the effects
of his fright in the afternoon. and the
numerous doses of brandy that it had
been necessary to administer to him to
! effect his restoration had put him in
Ia singularly pleasant, and amiable
mood.
THAT boy Waldo said Bonaparte,
rubbing his toes. took himself off cool.
/ ~ TINS morning as soon as the wagon
came and has not done a silver of
work all day. I'll not have that kind
4 of thing now Pm master of this farm"
The Hottentot maid translated.
All. l expect he's sorry that his IA
theirs dead" said Tant' Sannie. .'Its
nature, you, know. l cried the whole
morning when my father died. One
can always get another husband, but
one can't get another father" said
Tant' Sannie, casting a sidelong glance
at Bonaparte.
Bonaparte expressed wish to give
/ Waldo his orders for the next days
work. and accordingly the little woolly
/ headed Kaffir was sent to call him.
After considerable time the boy ap.
peared and stood III the doorway.
| Ito be continued.)
/ They Hardly Mean 1t.