Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-04-05

ment at hearing that Rufe BrOXton'S
son would have to go into any sort of
business. But, although he d.screetly
refrained from proclaiming it upon the
house tops, his private conviction was
that Horace Matthews end Of the
sedsaw had gone up as fast as Tom
Broxton's had gone down."
DR.. Goyan would have scored Mande-
ville's most progressive man with the
same severity he visited upon the ire
sponsible old druggist-"a quacking
quack," as he bitingly called him
only it is impracticable to wage active
hostilities against man who simply
raises his eyebrows and shrugs his
shoulders.
Dr. Govan's broad catholicity and
gentle Judgment of his fellow man
were the logical reflex Of his own
sweetness of nature and Astounding
good health. 1t was natural that Hor-
ace Matthews should have come in
for goodly share of discussion at the
time of the fire. for Vaudeville was
never so rich in sensations as to let one
slip too rapidly through it's mill. But
it was time to create diversion. The
doctor began his missionary work at
home. If he could convert Mrs. Goyan
into partisan, Matthews would be re-
instated with his neighbors. A mans
wife is his best and surest safety
valve. Mrs. Govan innocently immo-
lated herself.
81 was down to see the old lady yes
terday, John. Malvina says she wishes
you would stop in the first time you
pass their gate"
What's Mother Spillman up to
now?'
Nothing new. Malvina Just gets
fretted over the way the old lady pecks
on Horace Matthews. She says it's a
| regular monomania. She says she is
almost afraid to let any Of the neigh
4 bors mention Mr.. Matthews name in
her mothers presence for fear she will
blaze out something ugly about him."
And yet" the doctor said gravely,
Matthews has been consistently kind
to the old creature. He has kept up all
the friendly services Broxton used to
render her"
Il know it. l know that, John, but
Mother Spillman's woman of strong
convictions, and she is not to be bought
over by any amount Of flattery or SUBJ
stantial help"
Bought over?" DR.. Govan gave his
wife all ''et tn. Brute look and OPEN
ed his battery without the preliminary
of curt challenge.
t. Sao boro Mo+;1Io1 -a,.
4 gone over to the enemy %
Gone over to the. enemy? Which
enemy. John Govan?' She smoothed
4 the white bands of hair on her temples
nervously. John had such dreadful
ty incisive pair of eyes. He was using
them just then as he used that sharp,
shining probe among his surgical in
struments.
Well, ] should say pretty much all
Vaudeville stood for the enemy at this
juncture, and l should be sorry to see
my wife aligning herself with them
and sitting in judgment upon a man
who has never committed one overt act
that man or woman could point to and
say, That is wrong"
well, but. john
/ LET me have the floor little while
longer, if you please, my dear. really
feel as if Matthews needed friend, q
champion, if you choose. will say tc
you in strict confidence don't think
he will be here many years longer
what, John? Oh, that poor girlv'
"Of course this is for no ear blu,
yours
II have been doctors wife 80 years
john
"And better one never doctor had.
An air kiss was foated from the doc
tors mature fingers to bring a smile
to Matildas mature lips.
But about Mr. Matthews?"
Yes, about Matthews. l believe he
is not unaware of the hostile attitude
some of his old neighbors have as
sumed. Not all of them. The solie
men of this community, the men who
do their own thinking and can look al
subject all around, see Matthews OF
do, shrewd, close mouthed business
man, with one object, and only one, il
J life'
. "Olivia.'
'Precisely-Olivia. I doubt if there's
any man in Melton county who know.
Matthews as well as do. l knew hin
before his shell developed, knew hin
when he was in love with Lucetti
BroXton and looked forward to marry
ing her. Matthews was all right then
He was changed by her death into ,
silent, almost morose, man. He was
fairly devoted husband to Olivia'
mother, but nothing has ever come be
!, tween him and his first love. All thu
pent up forces of his nature have ex
pended themselves on this girl HI
has shaved to make her rich. He woult
die to make her happy"
Mrs. Govan moved restlessly in he
chair. John really was not telling he
a single thing she did not know al
ready.
+, "Yes; but, John, nobody has-that is
nobody should
She started and opened her mild blu
eyes to their widest extent. John wa
! positively pounding the arms of hi
\ ,l,., 4, H. q