Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-28
Health.

come to the office in order that he
could not escape her.
As he walked beside her, a well
set up figure in dark grey flannel, he
cast furtive glance at the pretty,
dark complexioned face beneath the
turquoise sunshade. She looked
Younger than she was, for her skirts
only reached to her ankles, displaying
neat brown shoe tied with large
bows. Across her brow was just a
tiny wisp of stray hair, reminding him
forcibly of the sweet countenance of
his lost love. He recollected how he
used to tease her about that unruly
little lock, and how often he used to
tenderly brush 1t back from her eyes,
"You live in PARISH" he asked us
they walked together.
Sometimes" was her rather vague
reply. "I'm always fond of it, for it
is so bright and pleasant after
and she was on the point of giving him
clue to her place of abode, but stop
ped her words in time
After WHAT" he asked.
After other Places" she answered
evasively.
He glanced at her again, wondering
whom she might be. A girl of her age
could scarcely act as secret agent in
financial matters. Her white gown
perhaps gave her a more girlish ap-
pearance than she otherwise possessed
but there could be no two opinions
that she was really good looking.
She had approached him with tim
idity and modesty, yet in those few
minutes of their acquaintance she had
already become quite friendly, and
they were already laughing together
as they crossed the Rue de Rivoli.
u knew you were in Paris, ami
came here specially to meet you, Mr..
Rolfe,' she said at last. I'm afraid
you must think me very dreadful to
purposely compel you to apologize
and speak to me-"
"Not at all. Only-well, think you
know you nave rather unfair advant-
age Of me. You ought to give me
your NAME" he urged.
II have my own reasons fer not do
Ing so,' she laughed. "It is sufficient
for you to know that am your
friend"
"And very charming little friend,
too he laughed. II only wish all my
friends were SO dainty as yourself
"Ah! so you are a flatterer-eh?'
she said, reproving him with smile.
mot fattery-but the truth" he
declared, filled with curiosity as to
whom she might be. Why, he wonder
ed, had she sought him? Perhaps if
he described her at the office they
had just left, she might be known
there.
Though out of the season, there was
still life and movement in the Rue de
R1voli, as there always is between the
Magasins du Louvre and the Rue Cas-
tiglione. The tweeds and blouses of
the Cooks tourists were in evidence
as usual, and the little midinette trip
ped gaily through the throng.
At last they entered the gate of the
public gardens, which in the after
moons are given over to nurses in
white caps and children with air-balls
and, walking some distance still chat
ting, presently found a seat in full
view of the Quai with it's traffic and
the sluggish Seine beyond.
Then as he seated himself beside
her she, with her sunshade held be-
hind her head, threw herself back
slightly and laughed saucily in his
face, displaying her red lips and even,
pearly teeth.
isn't this rather amusing meet
ing?" she asked, with tantalising air
Il know you are dying to know who
| am. Just. think. Have you never
seen me before?'
Charlie was sorely puzzled. He
tried to think, but to his knowledge
he had never previously set eyes up
on the dark haired little witch before
in all his life.
'I-well l really don't recollect
You've asked me riddle, and I've
given it up"
But think, Have you never seen
me before?''
I'm London?"
mo; somewhere elsa long wav
from here"
He shook his head. She was a COM
plete enigma this girl not yet out of
her teens
Il must apologize to you, but I do
not recollect," he said. '.If You re.
fuse to tell me who you are, YOU can
surely give me your Christian name .
"Why?"
'Well, because
because of your natural curiositv!"
she declared Men are always curl
Gus. They always want to get at hard
facts. Half the romance of life IS
taken away by their desire to go
straight to the truth of things. Won
en- are fond of little Imagination"
Was she merely carrying on a mild
Irritation with him because of a shee,
love OF romance? He had heard Of
girls OF her age, overfed upon roman
tic novels and filled with day dreams
starting out upon adventures similar
~ perllous. He looked into her eyes,
and saw that they danced with tan.
talising merriment. She was making
fun of him.