Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-09-02

IN IN cents to go twice
around the track"
~ "It's great
scheme" Ridgway
said in hearty
praise. Many townspeople would
hke to make the acquaintance
OF an auto at close range. I'll come
ana ride myself if | may"
ANY one may ride who has the
rare she said bashfully. 81 shall see
you then? Good night
! Cora almost ran into the house and
leit Rldgeway gazing after her in
mild establishment 1t was always
llke this. 1t did not appear that Cora
alsllKed him, and yet whenever
I proposal lowered upon his lips she
seemed suddenly to become aware of
ms intention and always found some
means OF preventing his declaration.
sor two years Ridgeway had been
seeking an opportunity to tell his
ioVe to his old playfellow. When they
had been In school together they had
peen formally betrothed and prattled
or love In their childish fashion. But
now that she had returned from
iashlonable finishing school, all was
different.
instead of the old frankness, she
was SO shy when they two were alone
that her t1midity was almost an agony
10 her. Rldgeway held in fine con-
tempt men who lacked the courage to
propose in person and resorted to
Wrltlng, SO he waited with what pa
tlence ne could command the oppor-
UNITY ne was determined should
come.
But Cora seemed to gain in adroit-
ness as the months PASSED, and
ftldgeWay shook his mead sadly as he
paused at his own gate to finish the
cigar he had lighted for solace.
Even after he had gone to bed he
tossed 1mpatiently until at last an
ldea came to him, and he went to
steep with a new hope in his heart.
; The following was the first of three
/ days devoted to an open-air festival
TO be given on the fair grounds. Cora
; mad just become possessed Of a gilt
tering new runabout, the gift of her
: 1ather, and the first automobile own
ed IN Marvel, so she had arranged to
+ satisfy public curiosity by taking mas
sengers twice around the half-mile
track at 10 cents head, the funds to
I be devoted to charity.
I9lr
: she did a rushing business, but as
> the afternoon waned there were in
t tervals beween trips and when Ridge
way came along she sat alone in the
t car.
|. Everybody rides he quoted in
!. laughing imitation of the bankers at
). the summer parks. Glow much for
a trip?"
: Ten cents a head" was the prompt
response, "but we do not start until
we get five passengers
Ridgeway glanced at the Temporary
seat rugged behind to accommodate
the excess of passengers and produced
half dollar.
TN take all the Places" he an.
nounced as he climbed into the seat
beside the girl.
Cora glanced doubtfully about her
but there was no one near the start.
ing point, and at last she threw over
the lever and the car slowly started.
= "This is fine." commented Ridge.
y way as the car sped about the driv.
= Ing track. cts better than the road
and not half the chance of RUNNING
= down stray COWS and chickens. It's
- fine car"
if Zone of the best she said proud
.e ~. i've been running it all the
afternoon. I've earned SIS for the
d baby fund SO far"
70 Here's chance to earn lo
d more said Ridgeway, comfortably
d Il shall not be content with double
D. circuit of the track. [ want more O.
Is run. You couldn't take me up thu
road a bit, could your"
"a Mercy, no." she declared. he,
u shyness suddenly developing at tn,
~ idea of being alone on country roa,
with Ridgeway.
Cali right was the easy response
II can say what l want to say her,
just as we'll. You needn't put OF
speed" he continued as he notice,
that the pace was increasing. "I'n
going to keep on riding until / finisl
what l have to say"
1t would make comment if va,
took too many rides she said, witt
rosy face.
Just why 1 suggested slowe
pace, he explained. Look here, Cora
I've been trying for two years to asl
you to marry me, and every time w
had an opportunity you've run away
Il don't hate you," she starnmered
shocked out of her shyne-s at the sug
gestion. We've always been goo
friends, Gordon
But want to be more than that,
he went on. II want you to be M
wife, dear Does that suggestion seer
SO horrible?''
Its not at all horrible" she con
fessed. Il was just afraid
Afraid OF what?" he demanded
afraid of me?"
ut wasn't that" she exclaimed. F."
was-I was afraid that you were &C
ing to propose just because of tia
" childish engagement out Of nit,
a you know. can't Just explain wha
I'd l mean, but every time thought yo
b. were going to propose l just had t
run away"
1t It's taking mean advantage t
L frN,,1 ,N,t,e al