Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-01
vile to Broxton Hall.

and the richest. Before she had been
home half year they were engaged to
De married. Before she had been home
whole year she was dead of pleurisy.
contracted by going to come out par
ty at Butterworths', ten miles from
BroXton. wearing her ball dress and
slippers in the carriage
As Miss Malvina had not come to
woman's estate without achieving per-
feet familiarity with the melancholy
fate of beautiful Lucetta Broxton, she
did not intermit the motion Of her nee
die to exclaim or bemoan over the
threadbare story.
Horace Matthews was married in
less than two years after to girl who
had expectations tAat We're never real
lied, and Rufus was married month
later. Both of them lost their wives
about six years later within month of
each other. Queer, wasn't it?'
Miss Malvina yawned and said
very" The haes h,,p,mnd in the
honeysuckle vines, the crocncl needle
wove its rapid way in and out of the
gay web and the old woman crooned.
Il won't deny you that Matthews is
the sharper of the two, but Rufus
Broxton has got more soul in his little
finger than Horace Matthews has in
his whole body. Rufus was as brave
as a lion, but sweet tempered as
girl, trusting as a baby, always. Hon
Orable? l should say he was. l don't
suppose he ever played crooked for the
finest white alley that was ever made I
doubt if Horace Matthews could claim
as much for himself
''And TOMS going to grow up to be
just such another said Miss Malvina.
with conviction
Into the peaceful droning of the bees
and the monotonous grooming of the
deaf woman was precipitated the
sound of iron shod hoofs pounding the
earth rapidly. Miss AIalvina dropped
the gay woods recklessly and, with the
ball unwinding as she travelled, rushed
to the front door, craning her thin neck
after the fast disappearing horseman.
Its Daniel, mother, galloping back
to the Hall. The mares TANKS are
fairly reelling with sweat and foam.
And-yes, he'll catch up. Now they
are neck and neck"
'Who is neck and neck with what.
Malvina?'
Miss Malvina drew her head in re-
luctantly and returned to the trumpet.
Neck to neck with mare Winnie,
Lawyer Matthews big roam had dash
ed out of sight. The two horses
knew each other we'll. Many a peace
full excursion had they taken side by
side through the lovely country roads
engirdling Vaudeville or over the
broad eXpanse of the Broxton estate,
half of which destiny had maliciously
snatched from the grasp Of the roan's,
rider.
In the westering light the lawyers
face looked hard and white and set.
The wind had lifted the front brim of
his soft felt hat and fattened it against
the crown. Scarcely had the cloud Of
dust raised by the two horses subsidized
before the Vaudeville public hack went
numbering by in vain competition of
speed. Its curtains tapped wildly in
the wind, leaving it's one occupant in
full view.
At sight Of him Miss Malvina caught
her breath Historically and bent her
head with an impulse of prayer. Then
she retraced her steps to the deaf wo-
man.
Daniels ridden back, mother, and
Mr.. Matthews was with him.
Trust him." said the old woman
sourly. Hell make good thing of
IL, Rufus so trusting and Tom SO
young and him already feeling like he'd
been cheated by Lucetta Broxton's
taking off"
Aren't you trifle hard on Lawyer
Matthews, mother? He stands well
i'll the community Everybody has
good word for him, except you. He is
the best father to that pretty Ollie /
ever saw"
ooh, he'll look out for his own. Olivia
is bone of his bone and flesh of his
flesh. l hope she amt spirit of his
spirit
emily Miss Malyina sent still more
solemn announcement through the.
trumpet.
''And, mother, Jim Hobson's just
driven by with both horses to the hacl.
and Parson Drayton on the back seat"
May the Lord have mercy on his
soul! Amen!''
This pious ejaculation lacked explicit
LESS, but as Hobson's soul was mat
ter of no particular moment to any one
and the Rev. Mr.. Drayton's was NJ,
ready presumably insured against the
possibility of miscarriage Miss NAL
vina fitted it where it belonged.
II hope Tom will get here before it is
all over she said softly.
But her mothers head had fallen for
ward on her clasped and trembling
hands. Tears came warily to eyes long
used to the vexing ways of the world.
The minister's widow wept silently for
the breaking of another link in the
chain that time had robbed of all but
a few frail links.
The sun dropped behind the tallest
4 IL