Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-10-21
CHAPTER TX.

CHAPTER TX.
N PERHAPS, on the whole, it is
not surprising that Captain
ESHS@ Fri didn't grasp the situation
eSsssa2U Neither his two partners MOI
himself had given much thought to the
granddaughter Of the sick man i'll the
upper room. The captain knew that
there was a granddaughter; hence his
letter. But he had heard John Baxter
speak Of her as being In school some.
where in Boston and had all along con.
ceiyed of her as miss Of sixteen OF
thereabout. No wonder that at first
he looked at the stylishly gowncd
young woman, who stood before him
with one gloved hand extended, in a
puzzled, uncomprehending way.
Excuse me, ma'am," he said slow.
~, mechanically swallowing up the
proffered hand in his own mammoth
fist, "but don't knows l Jest caught
the name. Would you mind sayin' it
ag'in?"
Elizabeth Preston" repeated the Wis
itor. Captain Baxter's granddaugh.
Lei. 4ou WIOlc dlC lHuI ue WAS III,
you know, and r.
"Whatn' roared the captain, delight
ed amazement lighting up his face like
sunrise. "You don't mean to tell
me you're 'Liz'beth Bakers gal Elsie!
Well, we'll! I want to know! If this
don't beat all! Set down! Take your
things right off! I'm mighty glad to
see your
Captain Eri's hand, with Miss Pres
TOMS hidden in it, was moving up and
down, as if it worked by clockwork
arrangement. The young lady with
drew her fingers from the trap as soon
as she conveniently could, but it might
have been noticed that she glanced at
them when she had done so, as if to
make sure that the original shape re-
NAMED.
THANK you, Captain Hedge" she
said. "And now please tell me about
grandfather. How Is he? May I see
him?"
The captains expression changed to
one of concern
why, now, Miss Preston he said,
your grandpa is pretty sick. Oh, I
don't mean he's goin' to die right off or
anything like that" he added hastily.
II mean he's had stroke Of palsy or
somethin', and he amt got so yit that
he senses much Of what goes on. Now.
I don't want to frighten you, you know,
but really there's a ehanee-a little
mite of chance--that he won't know
you. Don't feel bad if he don't, now
will your
Il knew he must be very i'll from
your letter." said the girl simply. II
was afraid that he might net be living
when reached here. They told me at
the station that he was at your house.
and SO came. He has been very good
to me, and IT,
Her voice broke little, and she hest
tated. Captain Fri was picture of
distress.
Yes, yes, know" he said hastily.
Don't you worry now. He's better.
The doctor said he was consid 'rably
better today, didn't he, Mr.. Hazeltine?
Why what am 1 thinkin' of? Let me
make you known to Mr.. Hazeltine,
next door neighbor Of ours, right across
the road" And he waved toward the
bay.
Ralph and Miss Preston shook hands.
The electrician managed to utter some
sort of formality, but he couldn't have
told what it was. He was glad when
the captain announced that IL Mr.. Ha-
zeltine would excuse them he guessed
Miss Preston and he would step up
stairs and see John The young lady
took off her hat and jacket, and Cap
tain Fri lighted lamp, for it was al
most dark by this time. AS its light
shone upon the visitors face and hair
the crimson flush before mentioned cir
the electricians head
once more, and his bump of self es-
teen received finishing blow. That
any man supposed to possess two fair
~ good eyes and workable brain
could have mistaken her for an Orham
Neck book agent by the name of
~ Gusty- Gusty Black" Heavens.
"Fll be down In a few minutes, Mr..
said the captain. "Set still,
won't youi"
But Mr. Hazeltine wouldn't sit still.
He announced that it was late and he
must be going. And go he did in spite
of his hosts protestations.
Look 90 cautioned
the captain, leading ihe way with the
lamp. The Teller that built 'em must
have b'leved that savin' distance
lengthens out life. Come to think of it,
l wouldn't wonder If them stairs was
the reason why me and Jerry and Pc