Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-12-03

bread on a man whom he hated and
despised. 1t is small wonder that his
saturnine humor increased and his
tongue grew more and more caustic.
AS he must always have some one
to practice upon he made the little
"slavy" the immediate butt Of his SAT-
casms. For on this account Rose
Nunsby secretly cherished the girl, af-
fording her many privileges and never
for moment suspecting that Leebie
Callum cared no whit for her fathers
sarcasms, considering him mentally
and, indeed, callous to human speech
of every sort, so long as there re-
manned to her the inalienable freedom
of cupboard and pantry.
Rose Nunsby had been very lonely
before Vida came to Glebe End Coz
tage. Her father was making suffl-
cient money to keep the two Of them
in comfort. So that it was more for
something to do than from necessity
that Rose had begun to give lessons
on the plano and violin to the chill
dren of the shopkeepers and pit super
intendents about the Kirktown Of
Inchgormach.
Just as many perfectly harmless in
sects Initiate wasps and stinging flies,
the innocent Rose Nunsby had taken
on something of her fathers manner
But, within, her nature was mild as
milk, and her heart even as honey
comb. She had taken Vida to it at
once, and from the first hour had
loved her as sister She had taught
her all she knew, watched over her by
day, warned her of dangers, rejoiced
in her springing beauty, and now at
last she had found in her companion
after her own heart.
Every afternoon Vida Bryan went
to 80 Dudley Gardens, where a piano
was waiting for her, and also, for the
space of one hour, very emphatic
and stern mistress. After that, little
Miss Nunshv began to spread a table
'The Callum' was summoned, all jam
as to her mouth and coaly as to her
fingers, from her secret afternoon lair.
Life to the Calium was one protracted
surreptitious meal. She had always
been hungry all her life before. So
since she came to 80 Dudley Gardens
1t Is small wonder that the Callum
regarded not the most polished ar.
rows of Mr.. Nunsby's wit.
After tea, Miss Nunsby walked back
to Glebe End Cottage with her friend
and pupil, and there she stayed till it
was time to go home for her fathers
dinner hour, which was often a late
one, on account of his never being
able to get away from the Incubus
Offices before Mr.. Kahn.
Rose Nunsby was a frail, pale, al.
most dwarfish creature, with a strange
twise to her neck, a high white brow,
and her fathers abundant dark brows,
from under which looked out, incon,
gruously enough, pair of the myster.
ious gentian blue eyes. which only thu
fairies and the good hunchbacks have
upon the earth.
AS usual, the girls talked books and
music, but every now and then they
became more personal, condescending
lightly on the topics of the Kirktown
the pits, the possible strike, Mr.
Romer. the church choirs, the preach
ing qualifications of the several min.
listers, their personal merits or defects
and Mr.. Kahn. These subjects are
arranged in order of interest as con
versational topics-reading back
wards.
Rose" cried Vida, so suddenly and
after So long a pause that little Miss
Nunsby discontinued stroking hel
| friends head. Il hate him.
SO do l., dear said Rose Nunsby
promptly. Proper names are mostly
superflous in the intimate converse Of
women. With delicate voice intona
tions, they differentiate their pronouns
! with severe classic accuracy.
In this case both understood that
James Kahn was the object of theii