Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-04-11


suit of black cloth finely woven and
but lately made by the village tailor.
Taking the footpath that led through
the meadows, he walked with long
strides in the direction of the road that
wound its way from the village past
the Maryland farmhouse. A slight fear
lest his absence from home at the time
Of his Cousins arrival would be held
against him as seeming neglect caused
him some anxiety, and he was framing
suitable words of excuse and explana-
ton as he walked along when his medi-
tation was interrupted by the sudden
appearance Of young woman at the
corner Of the roadway. She had evil
IDENTIFY been running, for over her
flushed face and tumbling yellow hair
a bread hat Of black velvet, with a
sweeping white feather, hung OF at the
back in reckless abandon, and she held
the long skirts of her scarlet riding
habit, richly trimmed with silver braid
ing. high above her quilted petticoat.
So excited was she and intent upon her
chase that she was quite regardless of
small ankles, neatly covered with red
silk hose, were exposed above her low
shoes to the cold and disappearing gaze
of the man approaching. Just then
small dog scuttled past Josiah breath
less and painting from long run.
ooh, catch her, good sir-catch Bid
dy!' the girl cried shrilly. 1.-THE poor
dog will take a At from fright! That
stupid Giles, to let her out in this
strange place when I was not about!
Move, man! An thou canst put thy
hand on her"
Thus sharply commanded, Josiah
came to his senses and, making a sud-
den and effective dive, caught the ex
hausted animal and, carrying 1t to the
young woman, put it into her arms,
saying with his customary seriousness,
Margaret Maryland, for as such rec
ognize thee, give thee greeting and do
declare that thou art welcome to thy
home"
At once she extended her hand cor
pleasure.
"An' Is It really JosiahT' she asked
brightly. "At first glance, with thy So
Der face and black suit, good cousin,
methought thou vert the preacher"
"And thou wouldst have called to the
preacher, man Of God, to catch thy
dog, MargaretT regarding her with
look of quiet reproof.
AYE, that would l." she answered
carelessly. 'I' faith, in my opinion the
better the man the better the deed.
But to continue the subject, Josiah, at
the second glance I remembered thee
ut once"
She stepped back pace or two and,
shading her eyes from the slanting
rays Of the setting sun by fitting her
hat well down over her face, regarded
him with pert air Of critical interest.
after all, thou'rt not much changed
except that thou doth look more care
worn, and tits apparent that thou hast
grown older" she said. Then, seeing
that the expression in his eyes did not
soften, added, But happen, cousin,
thou wouldst be better pleased, as is
the fashion Of all the men, an were
to tell thee thou vert grown good look
ing"
She laughed low, ripping laugh of
amusement.
Josiah finding her levity not to his lik-
ing and having lurking suspicion that
she was amusing herself at his ex-
pense, answered resentfully and with
an air of offended dignity.
'That thou wouldst SO misjudge me
as to presume that 1 would desire
praise for my personal appearance
can understand, for after thy years
Of living In that wicked city Of Paris
where all the men are fops or cox
combs, with no thought above decking
their bodies with tawdry raiment, will
ing and eager to bend their backs and
mouth and grin in pleased acknowl
edgment Of woman's compliment
| thou has thought that all men were
| made in the same fashion"
The young mistress Of the Maryland
farm, who had listened to her cousins
words with an DIR Of bewildered sur
prise, now cried airily: ooh, fie on thee
Josiah, for long face! To talk SO OF
my bonny Paris! Forsooth, an thou
vert to go there for spell thou
wouldst lose the somber look thou
hast caught from all the people here
about and gain much for thine appear
ance, I do assure thee"
Although this was said with smil.
ing coquetry that took the sting out
Of the words. a red flush mounted tc
Josiah's forehead.
peace, Margaret" he said, "and
take not upon thyself-but at best q
sinful mortal-to criticise the work OF
God That am made in my Masters
| image doth suffice for me, and the care
from what 1 judge at sight Of thee
that thou dost give to thy body pre-.
fer to give to the salvation of my SOUL
He paused for a reply; but, none
coming, he continued: Ere met thee
was on my way to thy house. Shall
we walk there together?"
Maroarot Mevlapd LOOKING of fhf