Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-02-21

GINA law. A simple acknowledg.
dition, fixes everything. Don't sulk
now, Dick; it won't be long"
II was not thinking of myeslf,"
said Somers. "Good night" He stood
a moment in thought, then turned to
his companion. In the darkened but
ish figure near him, the face bent for
ward and hidden in her hands.
"Come," he said, cheerfully, "let us
sit down and talk it all over. 1t is
true we are married, but that is no
reason why we shouldn't be friends, I
suppose. If you will find me chair,
1 am sure you will confer a great IA
vor. By the way, what shall l call
you? Madam or Mrs. Somers' sounds
too awfully formal. Shall say"
Gall me Frances" she said, simply.
She understood without Analysing
that he was trying to make it easier
for her, and was grateful.
Frances. What beautiful name!
I like it already because it is the
feminine of Francis. Yes, the arm
chair will do, and shall sit here by
the table. And you? Oh, / seem to
see you snug in the rocker in front.
This, / suppose, is the proper arrange
ment for family party when the
meter isn't working; but know very
little about it. / never was married
before, and / suppose you are equally
in the dark" 1t made him happy to
hear her friendly little laugh, even
though it was instantly checked.
by the way" he continued. do yeu
know anything of me? | am to ask
no questions concerning you, but sup
pose we may talk about me, may we
pot?"
Il know that you are friend OF
DR.. Brodnar, and what he has tod me.
You are stranger in Richmond and
a gentleman. But would have known
that you are gentleman anyway"
Thank you, Miss Frances; that was
nicely said"
'Frances!"
"Miss Frances!" he insisted
Il am sorry" said the girl. after a
moments silence, but if you wish. let
it remain that way"
But | am curious to know how it
was that you so quickly decided in
my favor the question of gentility.'
my mother told me. when | was lit
tie, that any man in whose presence
girl or child feels at ease is "a gentle
man at heart, and somehow trusted in
you from the momen, you spoke. But
DR.. Brodnar told me"
"Well?"
Told me such beautiful things
stories of your life; | seemed to feel
sir, that had known you always"
And what has Brodnar been saying
of me?-I can blush unseen"
HE told me you We're brave"
Most men are. And at times all
animals
That you loved flowers, birds, horses
children and old people"
COLLECTS that cant get away from
me. Go on
/. THAT you are generous to fault
| Especially my own-or his.
"And that no woman on Gods green
earth, those were his words, ever ap
pealed to you for help in vain. He told
me once he saw you get out of your car
riage in Paris in your evening suit
pick up drunken old woman who hac
fallen, and carry her TO a house of ref
uge-and, oh, sir, you did it because
You said the noblest, the most sacred
image on earth to a man should be {
woman's form, the form like unto tina
of his mother-too sacred for the
laughter and jeers of a city's idlers-'
/ 81 Endorse the sentiment. whosesoeyel
it is. But what sad gossip Brodnal
isl"
"But you did do this, didn't you??"
|. "Would it please you to think tina
1 did,"
/ would it! Why, sir, it was that tina
made me trust you!"
Trust me? You We're cryihg!"
use-because-this is a mos
strange position for you to find me in
Mr.. Somers. l thought that | wouldn'
care; and did not, until you came
But did then. And that is why ! cried
somehow, Ielp tnat III SplLe Ol ali
stake. it ought not to have happene'
! this way"
81 understand. But in my estimation
my child. you have sacrificed nothing.
You did not think so-but--but-
He took up the thought.
"But you are grieved because yo
are saying: Now here is gentlema
who, / have suddenly discovered,
wish to respect me for myself and a
refined, modest girl; and what mus
he think o. one who is willing to b
locked up here in room with him a
night the girl caught her breat
and half rose from her chair" and fc
what? / cannot even tell him. ] al
bound not to tell him. must sit b
and see him sacrifice himself to FRIEND
ship!'"
"Oh, sir, do you think" She ber
forward suddenly and, hiding her fac
in her hands, rested them upon h!
knees. He placed his own hand light
upon her head and wondered il it wer
treason to have discovered that he
. hair was mass of curls and clusterin