Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1904-05-17

~ suggested.
Thorpe arose obediently, walked to
lower = and without undressing threw
himself on the bed. Afterward the
porter In conscientious discharge of his
duty looked diligently beneath the seat
for boots to polish. Happening to glance
up after fruitless search he discovered
the boots still adjoining the feet of their
owner.
Wei, for the lands sake!" ejaculat-
ed the scandalized negro beating a
hasty retreat.
Thorpe descended at Twelfth street
IN Chicago without any clear notion OF
where he was going. For moment he
faced the long, parklike expanse of the
lake front, then turned sharp to his left
and picked his way south up the inter-
minable reaches of Michigan avenue.
Block after block he clicked along, the
calks of his boots striking fire from the
pavement.
After an interval he seemed to have
left the smoke and dirt behind. The
street became quieter; boarding houses
and tailors' shops ceased; here and
there appeared bit of lawn, shrub
berry and flowers. By and by he came
to himself to find that he was staring
at the deep carved lettering in stone
horse block before large dwelling.
His mind took the letters in one after
the other, perceiving them plainly be-
fore it accorded them recognition. FL
nally he had completed the word Far
rand" He whirled sharp on his heel,
mounted the broad white stone steps
and rang the bell.
| 1t was answered almost Immediately
by clean shaved, portly and dignitied
man with the most impressive counte-
nance in the world. This man looked
upon Thorpe with lofty disapproval.
as Miss Hilda Farrand at homer" he
asked
81 cannot say replied the man. "If
you will step to the back door will
ascertain"
"The flowers will do. Now see that
the south room is ready, Annie" float
ed voice from within.
Without word, but with a deadly
earnestness, Thorpe reached forward,
seized the astonished servant by the
collar, yanked him bodily outside the
door, stepped inside and strobe across
the hall toward closed portiere whence
had come the voice The river mans
long spikes cut little triangular pieces
from the hardwood floor. Thorpe did
not notice that. He thrust aside the
portiere.
Before him he saw young and beau
tiful girl. She was seated, and her LAP
was filed with flowers AT his sudden
apparition her hands flew to her heart
and her lips slightly parted. For q
second the two stood looking at eacE
other, just as nearly year before theil
eyes had crossed over the old pole trail
To Thorpe the girl seemed more beau
tiful than ever. The red of this VIC
lent unexpected encounter rushed Il
her face, her bosom rose and fell in {
futtering catch for breath, but he
eyes were steady and inquiring.
Then the butler pounced on THORPE
from behind with the intent to do grea
bodily harm.
"Morrism commanded Hilda sharply
what are you doing?"
The man cut short his heroism il
confusion.
you may CO." concluded Hilda.
Thorpe stood straight and unwinkin;
by the portiere. After a moment h
spoke.
81 have come to tell you that 70,
were right and I was wrong" said b
steadily. "You4t fold me there could b
nothing better than love. In the prid
: of my strength l told you this was nc
SO. was wrong"
He stood for another instant lookin
directly at her, then turned sharpl
and, head erect, walked from the room
| Before he had reached the outer doc
the girl was at his side.
+ "Why are you going" she asked.
l II have nothing more to say"
/ ''Nothing:"
Nothing at ALL"
. She laughed happily to herself.
' "But have-much. Come back"
They returned to the little mornin
room, Thorpe's calked boots gougin
out the little triangular burrows in til
/ hardwood floor. Neither noticed that.
: ''What are you going to do now!
she catechised, facing him in the nit
= die Of the room. A long tendril of he
q beautiful corn silk hair fell across hi
eyes; her red lips parted in faint, wis
a full smile; beneath the draperies of HI
l. loose gown the pure slender lines (
. her figure leaned toward him.
- Il am going back" he replied p
!, tiently.
"a Il knew you would come" said sh
Z II have been expecting you. Oh, Fla
!, ry." she breathed, with a sudden flas
!, of insight, you are a man born to
- much misunderstood"
- He held himself rigid, but in b
veins was creeping molten fire, al
the fire was beginning to glow duly
his eye. Her whole being called him.
And still she stood there before hill
. saying nothing, leaning slightly towal
n him, her red lips half parted, her ey
= fixed almost wistfully on his face.
n go away" he whispered hoarsely
= last. The voice was not his own. &c