Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-01-18

fixed the knot in an exceedingly I'M
workmanlike way not so much that
he did not know how, as because he
was looking at the girl before him.
"You are all alone?" he asked sim
ply and without the least shame
"That is good I want to speak to
you
''My father is sitting upstairs in
his ROOM she answered; che is get
ting better, but cannot move yet -
Mr.. Romer. mean! suppose you
have not heard"
Vic nodded, Yes, he had heard
Certainly, Miss Romer, he hurried
But the other two are at the light
house - then I can speak with you.
l have much to say l left Kirktown
rather in hurry. You may have no
ticed. Since then l have had time to
reflect bitterly long. And now
| have come to ask you to forgive
mel"
Vida looked at him, paling slowly
to the whiteness of unbleached linen,
which is as far as her complexion
would carry her in that direction
Forgive you,'' she nurmured.
dreading what was coming. Il do not
understand
Certainly said Vic Morris, firm
ly: II acted both wrong and hastily.
II have come to say so l have reflect
ed tell you, and here am - de
termined to do right!'
They were in the exact spot where
- we'll where Phil and she were ac-
oustomed to 'redd out" their quarrels
and = the rest. Whatever Vic Morris
had to say to her, Vida could not hear
/ it under that rowan tree at the cor
ner of the house. That was Phils and
hers It's leaves seemed to whisper
of many things worse than the flags.
| "Will you come indoors - into the
.parlor?" she said. .Then shall be
able to thank you for - for saving
my 1ife!"
| Saving your life!' cried Vic with
great astonishment, yes, SO did But
| it wasn't that"
This made the girl wonder yet
more what the mighty secret could be
which could make such an act, as
that of Vic Norris in Pit No. 2 seem
but little. easily forgotten thing.
They entered the little parlor, gay
as usual with fresh flowers. Phil sent
them down to her every morning or
I BROUGHT a bunch each evening. He
plundered Rose Nunsbys garden on
purpose The furniture was old but
solid. and Vida had so polished 1t,
that under her hands it had attained
the soft gloss of old mahogany - one
of the most beautiful tints in the
world The window was open, and
i Vida, indicating chair for Vic Nor
ris sat herself down by the window,
within sight of the fiuttering flags
which in the code of love, contained a
final message for Phil perched on the
heights mile away.
Vic Morris was resolved man and
rather oblivious of impressions other
than those which affected his imme'
date purpose. He could not feel
Z; modes and lenses like Phil espec.
tally feminine ones He knew if q
crowd of workmen were plotting mis-
i chief and had his own way of dealing
with such. But a girl well, her
thoughts did not affect him directly
1t seemed hardly worth while. So il
was hidden from him now Vida was
possessed of a strong preoccupation
4 Miss Br-Romer." began Vic
speaking sharply and rather unex
rectedlv. so suddenly indeed that he
made Vida jump Il have behaved
4 very badly to you. You had a right te
exrect other things of mel
I "How so?" said Vida. 81 was ql7itf
unconscious of anything of the sort
"Of course. | knew you would sa!
so" he continued, that is what Is
called right and womanly. But have
my own standards and | know tina
4 have behaved i'll to YOU
"To behave i'll, is. suppose. t,
, save a PERSONS life at the ri-lS 0
ones own 49, Vida was resolved tt
take it sn1ilingly.
"It is" reiterated Vic firmly. cit !!
, when a man runs away without per
, forming his responsibilities"
, Vida became more and more ama7
), ed. She could not make out what tn
: man was driving at. And the sham
: of that futterine signal. which sh
had meant merely to hoist and the
TO lower, made her blush Yes
: even when she cou'd not see it. sh
, felt it like shameful sunshine a
| down her back.
CAPTAIN TO TAKE COMMAND
) THIRTIETH WITHOUT FAIL.
She had picked the words out on
: by one in her code and it was tn
: answer to the query which Phil ha
a a put to her the night before. In fac
: Vida was fixing the date of her ma
II riage, She had been pleased wit
!, the device when she first thought (
i it. Especially with that studied d.
+ biety as to which of the two was
I be captain. Phil would taste that. Sh
! knew Phil But now. under the fir
: level gaze OF Vic Morris, it all seen
{ ed a little silly.
i But, after all, he could not see
I from where he sat. But what in tt
g name of fortune had he come to So
!. to her? He was as grave as twent
indoas As indeed well he mieht Fl