davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-15

my word for It, Something's desperate
ly wrong. Persons do not wear masks
and hide in this manner just for a
lark And we have lost them again!
Why didn't you knock him DOWN."
holly.
~ wanted to, but 1t wasn't the
psychological moment. He recovered
himself too quickly. You can't knock
a man down when he practically sur
renders"
You're too particular. But what's
the matter with Kitty? don't under
stand. To see yeu was to know that
was around somewhere. She ran
away from me as well as from you
What shall we do?"
start the hunt again, or give 1t
up entirely. There are some villages
between here and Nice. 1t must be
in that direction they were about to
board the. car for Nice. If you hadn't
been gambling, IL you had been SEN
sible and stayed with me-"
Come, now, that won't wash. You
know very well that you urged me to
play"
"You would have played without any
urging"
The wine came, but the JOY of drink
ing 1t was gone; and they emptied the
bottle perfunctorily. To MerriheW
everything was out Of tune now. Why,
Kitty Killigrew was worth all the
napoleons in or out of France. And
Kitty had run away! What was the
meaning of it?
"And who Is this Italian, anyhow?
And why did he run after your prima
donna?"
THAT Is precisely what | wish to
| find out" answered Hillard. 1.-The
lady whom you call my prima donna
knew him and he knew her, and she
must have had mighty good reasons
for running"
I'm afraid that Kitty his fallen
among bad lot. I'll wager it is some
anarchist business. They are always
lplotting the assassination of kings over
here, and this mysterious woman Ii
just the sort to rope In q confidins
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-15
CHAPTER XIV,

|
Having yawned luxuriously Merrihew
sighed with perfect content. The
pretty woman sitting opposite smiled
at him tenderly, and he smiled back
abstractedly, as a man sometimes will
when his mind tries to gather in com
prehensively thought and picture
which are totally different. Before
him, in neat little lustrous stacks
stood seven thousand francs in gold,
three hundred and fifty effigies OF
I Napoleon the Little. And this was the
thought which divided the smile with
the picture. Seven thousand france,
fourteen hundred dollars, more than
half the sum of his letter Of credit!
And all this prodigious fotune for a
little gold put here, and little gold
put there, wisely, scientifically; for
he would haye strenuously denied that
1t was due to bald, blind luck. If only
the boys at the club could see him
now! He wet his lips suggestively,
but the lust for gold was stronger than
the call Of tobacco. Tobacco could
wait; fortune might not. Still, he
took out cigar, bit off the end, ana
| put 1t back in his pocket And where
the deuce had Hillard gone? Twenty
minutes to eleven, and no sign of him
since the play began.
| He counted off ten coins and placed
them on the second dozen. The ball
rolled into number twenty three. He
leaned back again with second sigh
and the pretty woman smiled a sec
ond smile, and the wooden rake push
ed the beautiful gold over to him. He
| 10, ,i,,r -,
every three turns of the wheel, in
stakes of forty and eighty dollars. TIC
be sure he lost now and then, but the
next play he doubled and retrieved
Oh, the American Comic Opera com.
pany should be well taken care of. He
could play the good Samaritan after
the manner of a prince, if, indeed
princes ever elected to play that role
Two more bets, and then he would
pocket his winnings and go. He laid
| forty frances on number twenty-six
and four hundred on black, leaned up
on his elbows and studied the pretty
woman, who smiled. If she spoke Eng
fish. . :" He scrubbed the question on
a scrap of paper and pushed it across
the table, blushing little as he did
| so. She read it, or at least tried ia
read it, and shook her head with the
air of one deeply puzzled. He sighed
again, rejecting that there might have
been pleasant adventure had he only
understood French. Hang the legend
of the Tower Of Babel! it was always
confronting him in this part of the
world
! Twenty-six, black and even!
i Merrihew slid back his chair an6
rose. He swept up the gold by the
handful and poured it into his pockets
casually and unGoncernedly, as if this
was an everyday affair and of minor
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-15
!. MANY WANT SUNDAY.

Evangelist Arranses to Preach One
Sermon at Both Ames and Me-
vada and Probably at GrnneII.
Marshalltown, May 13.-Ames, Ne
vada and Grinnell have each sent
request to Rev. Mr.. Sunday asking
him to preach In each of the three
town. He has definitely promised TO
go to Ames and Nevada for one SER
mon In. each place before he leaves
here, but it has not yet been decided
on what day he will go to either
place.
Mr.. Sundays time will be SO arrang-
ed for these towns, so that he will not
miss any night service here.
Rev Elias Handy, pastor of the
Methodist church Of Grinnell, called
on Mr.. Sunday Tuesday and brought
request that he go to that place aud
deliver a sermon Rev. Sunday has
not definitely decided, but said that
he would probably go.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-15
~ CARD.

This is to certify that all druggists
are authorized to refund your money
IL F'oiey's Honey and Tar fails to cure
your cough or cold. 1t stops the cough,
oriates. The genuine is in yellow
package. ClarS's Drug Store: Sven
sons Drug Store.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-15

girl like Kitty One thing, If come
across our friend with the scar"
You will wisely cross to the op
posite side of the street. To find out
what this tangle is, 1t is not neces
sary to jump head first into It,"
"a bad lott
That may be, but no anarchists, my
boy"
(To Be Continued.)
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-15
4 Cruel Mistak.

is To neglect cold or cough. Or
Kings New Discovery cures them and
prevents consumption. &c and 81 90.
r. B. Clark. j H. L. Swenson & 30.
Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-15
The
Lure of the Mask
By Harold MacGrath

+ Il j. T. # Il II
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-13

speak lightly. Her lips trembed. She
could not bear for him 10 think her SO
ungrateful. She remembered his great
Kindness, the many thoughtful nets
that had made the past year so pre-
ciOus to her.
you've been awfully good 20 me.
Mfr John" She tried 20 choke back a
sob. "l'H never forget lt-ueycr! Ill
always feel the same toward you But
you mustn't ask me 90 stay I want to
get back to them that knew me first
10 my own. Circus folks aren't cut out
f0r parsons homes. aud ] was horn iu
the circus. I love i'll love itr' She
felt her strength going and cried out
wildly. u want Blngo! want TO go
round and round the ring! I want the
lights aud the music and the hoops.
want the shrleks Of the animals and
the rumble Of the wheels in the plains
at night. ! want 20 ride in the big pa
rade! want to live aud dle-just die
-as circus folks diol want TO go
back. ! want 20 90 backw
She put ont one trembling hand TO
Jim and rushed quickly through the
gate, laughing and sobbing hysterically
and calling 20 him 70 follow.
ITO be continued.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-13
COPYRIGHT. 1903. BrsDorp. MEAD AND COMP ANY

learned everything you told me" she
answered timidly "But l don't sup
pose ! could"
II can never tell you how much you
help me. Polly"
DO II" she cried eagerly. II can
help more II you viii only let me. l
eau teach bigger class In Sunday
school now. got To the beck Of Ruth
today"
You didT He pretended 60 be as.
tonished. lie was anxious 10 cncour.
age her enthusiasm.
"Um-hum" she answered solcmnly
\ dreamy look came into her eyes.
"Do YOU remember the part that YOU
read to me the first day camcF" He
nodded. Tie was thinking how care
free they were that day. How impos.
sible such problems MS the present one
would have seemed then. Il know
every bIt Of what you read by heart.
It's our next sunday school lesson"
so II is"
DO you think now that Il would hc
best for me to 20 away;" She looked
up into his troubled face.
wen see. we'll see" he murmured
then tried TO turn her mind toward
other things. Come. now: let's nnd
out whether you do know your Sunday
school lesson. How does Il begin?"
There was no answer. She had turned
away with trembling lips. "And Ruth
said He took her two small hands
and drew her face toward him. mean
Ing TO prompt her
'Entrcat nc not To leave thee" she
pleaded. Her eyes met his. His face
was close TO hers The small features
before him were quivering with emo.
tion. She was so frail, SO helpless. so
easily within his grasp. His muscles
grew tense. and his lips closed firmly
He was battling with an impulse to
draw her toward him and comfort her
In the shelter of his strong. brave
arms. ''They shan't" he cried. start
ing toward her.
Polly drew back overawod. Her
soul had heard and seen the things re-
vealed 10 each OF us only once. She
would never again be child.
Douglas bracel himself against the
back of the bench.
"What was the rest Of the IessonP"
he asked m n firm. hard voice.
81 can't say 1t now" Polly mur-
INJURED. Her face was averted; her
white lids fluttered and closed.
Nonsense! or course you can
Come. come; I'll help you" Douglas
spoke sharply. He was almost vexed
with her and with himself for the
weakness that was so near overcom-
Ing them. "And Ruth said. 'Entreat
me not TO leave thee -
"'Or to return from following after
thee she was struggling TO keep
back the teGrs-"'for whittier thou
goest ! will 60. and where thou lodgest
l Will lodge. Thy people shall be my
people and thy God my'"- She
stopped.
That's right go or" suid Douglas,
striving to control the unsteadiness IN
his own voice.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-13

nobody with the show what can touch
you ridin': there never will bc. Say.
mebbe YOU think Barker won't let out
yell when he sees YOU comm back"
Jim was jubilant now, and he let out
little yell OF his own at the mere
thought OF her return. He was too
excited TO notice the look on Polly's
face. Toby had notion before he
died that You was never a-comin'
back. but told him I'll change all
that once | seen you. an , hon Bar
ker sent me over here toe 5 to look
artor the advcrtlsln' he Sa't ne guess
ed you'd had all YOU want, % church
folks. 'Jcs' YOU bring her along to
Wakefield, hc said. AN tell her that
her place Is waitin FOR her. an will
too lie turned upon Polly with sud
den decision. why. feel les like
plckin' you up I'm m, arms an carrym'
you right or now"
wait, Jlmw ST. put one tiny hand
on his arm To rest "A him.
IL don't mean no;-today -mcbbe."
he stammered uncertainty. but wen
be back here a-showin' next month"
Don't look at me now" Polly an.
swered AS the dogllke eyes searched
her face. because l have To SAY some.
thing that is going TO hurt you. Jim"
You're comm, amt YOU. Polly
The big face was wrinkled and cure.
worn with trouble.
mo. Jim,' she replied I'm tone So
low that he could scarcely hear her.
you mean that you amt never
comm backT" He tried TO realize
what such n decision might mean TO
him
mo, jim" she answered tenderly.
for she dreaded the pain that she must
cause the great, good hearted fellow.
You mustn't care like that" she
pleaded, seeing the blank desolation
that had come into his face. at isn't
because l don't love you just the same.
and II was good Of Barker TO keep my
place for me. but l can't go back"
He turned away. She clung TO the
rough brown sleeve. "Why. Jim. when
l lie In my little room up there at
night glanced toward the win.
dow above them-"and everything IL
peaceful and still | think how II used
To be In the old days, the awful noise
'''N' h''N ahNh va ~ Nllt Ait NHttIlthN
wagons, the mob In the tent, the ring
with lis blazing lights. the whirling
round and round on Bingo and the
hoops, always the hoops, till my head
got dizzy and my eyes all dim. and
then the hurry after the show, and the
heat and the dust or the mud and the
rain, and the rumble OF tho wheels
In the plains at night, and the shrieks
Of the animals, and then the parade
the awful. awful parade, and riding
through the streets I'm tights. Jim
tights" She covered her face to
shut out the memory. 81 couldn't 20
back to It, JIM ] just couldn't~ She
turned away, her face still hidden I'm
her hands. He looked at her n long
while IN silence.
II didn't know how you'd come 10
feel about IT," he said doggedly
You aren't angry, JlmT' She
turned to him anxlously, her eyes
pleading for his forgiveness.
"AngryT' he echoed, almost bitterly.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-13
How 20 Toll Good Wina.

The connoIsseur tells good wine from
bad by taste alone but most men are
not connoisseurs, and TO most the FOL
lowing easier methods, guaranteed by
an expert. prove useful:
The artificial colorIng test: Soak n
woolen thread In the wine aud. remoy.
Ing It, drop on It little vinegar If
the vinegar turns II blush the colorIng
In natural. but IL It turns It pink a
chemical coloring matter has been
used.
III the wine has been fortified with
alcohol the addition OF cream OF tar
tar I'm the proportion OF one gram to
tho quart Will cause granular pre-
cipitant TO settle I'm the bottom.
II it contains sulphate OF potash--a
chemical that helps TO hide the bad
taste OF n wine that has turned-a
few drops OF oxalate OF ammonia viii
quickly produce deposit.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-13

"Hnve you been talking 70 that
glrlT asked Douglas sternly.
81 have" said Strong. holding his
ground
"see here. deacon. N you've been
browbeatlng that child I may forget
that I'm n minister" The knuckles on
Douglas large fists grew whittier.
"She's Roiu'. tell you. and it amt
because Of what ! said either She's
goin' back 10 the circus"
~ don't believe you"
"You would a. believed me n you'd
seen the fellow that was just a-callln'
on her and her a-huggin' and a-kissln'
Of him and a-promisin' that she'd be
a-waitln' for him here when he come
back"
you lic." cried Douglas. taking
step toward the retreatlng deacon
There's the fellow nowg cried
Strong as he pointed 70 the gate
suppose you ask him aforc you call
me a liar."
Douglas turned quickly md saw Jim
approaching. His face lighted up with
relief az the sight Of the big. lumber
ing fellow.
"How are you, Mr.. DoueIasY' said
Jim awkwardly.
You've seen PollyT' asked Douglas.
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-13
CHATTER Y

IN DOUGLAS dropped wetri'y al to
HN the rustic bench lie sat with
n drooped head and unsecing
- eyes. lie cid not hear Polly as
she scurried down tie path. hcr arms
blled with autumn leaves She ylnnc-
ed at him. dropped the bright colured
foliage and slipped quickly To the
nearest tree. "One. two. three for
Mr.. Johnr' she cried as she pattcd the
huge brown trunk.
lis that you. Pollyi" he asked alb
sentiy.
Now it's your turn TO catch me"
she said. lingering near the tree. The
pastor was again lost I'm thought.
Aren't you going TO play any more?"
There was n shade OF disappointment
In her voice. She came slowly to his
side.
'Sit here. Polly" he answered grave
iy. pointing to a place on the bench
81 want to talk to you"
Now I've done something wrong"
she pouted. she gathered up her gar
lands and brought them TO place
near his feet. ignoring the seat NJ his
side. you might just as we'll tell me
and get It over"
you couldn't do anything wrong"
he answered. looking down at her
"Oh, yes. | could. and I've done IL.
can see 1t I'm your face. What is. u"
What have you thereI' lie asked.
trying to gain time and not Knowing
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-13

shaking Jim cordially by the hand.
"Ics. I've seen her"
The deacon here has an idea that
Polly Is going back 10 the circus with
YOU" He nodded toward Strong, al.
most laughing at the surprise I'm store
for him.
Back To the circusf" asked jun
did she say anything to you about
tT' lie was worried by the bcwildcr.
ment In Jim's manner.
Before Jim could reply Polly, who
had reached the steps In tlmc To catch
the last few words. Slipped quickly
between them. She wore her coat and
hat and carried small brown satchel.
"of course | did. didn't |, Jlmg" she
said. turning her back upon the pas.
tor and mOtloninG 10 Jim not To an.
swcr. Douglas gazed at her In aston.
ishmcnt.
What do you meanT" he asked In II
hoarSc. strained voice. lie glanced at
the coat and hat where are YOU
going"
Polly avoided his eyes ana continued
nervously to Jim;
"What made you come back? Why
| didn't you wait for me down the
street, Now you've spoiled every.
thing" She pretended TO be very
veScd with him. The big fellow look.
od puzzled. He tried To protest. but
she put warning finger 10 her lips
and pressed the little brown satchel
into his hand. Its no use" she went
ON hurrlcdly. I'VE might as well tell
them everything now" She turned to
Douglas and pretended 10 laugh. "You
have found us out"
The dcncons were slightly uneasy.
The frown ON Douglas forehead was
deepening.
"Oh. see how serious he looksw she
tcascd, with n toss OF her head toward
the grim vlsagcd pastor.
''Is this some trick?" he demanded
sternly
Don't be angry" she pleaded. "wlsh
mo luck"
She held out one small hand. He dh
not take it she wavcrod: then she
felt the eyes OF the dcncons upon her
Courage returned, and she spoke In n
firm, clear voice. 81 am going 60 run
away"
Douglas stepped before her and stud
led her kcenly.
Run away" he exclaimed iucredu
lously.
''Ycs to the circus with Jim"
"You couldn't do such thing" he
answered eNcitcdly. "Why. only mo-
mcnt ago you told me you would never
leave me"
ooh, but that was n moment ago"
she cried In strained high voice.
THAT was before Jim came You see,
| didn't know how | felt until saw
Jim and heard all about my old
friends-how Barker IL keeping my
place for me and how they all want
To see me. And | want 10 see them
and to hea; ihc music and the laugh
ter and the clown songs oh. the
clown songsw Sic waltzcd about
hummlng the snatch OF melody that
Mandy had heard the morning that
Polly first woke In the parsonage:
Ting. ling
That's how the bells ring
Ting. ling, pretty young thing.
She paused, her hands clnspcd be-
hind her head, and gazed at them with
a brave little smile. "Oh. It's going to
be flnc-flnep'
you don't know what you're doingw
said Douglas. He seized her roughly
by the arm. Pain was making him
brutal. II won't let you go! DO you
| hear meI won't--not until you've
thought st over"
81 have thought II over" Polly an
Bwcred. meeting his eyes ana trying to
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-13

owS nniShin' touches" SAID
- Mandy as she came down
the steps.
-"All right!' called Douglas. Take
these with you. Perhaps they may
help He gathered up the garlands
/ which Polly had left on the ground
His eyes were shining He looked
younger than Mandy had ever seen
/ him.
Polly had turned her back at the
sound OF Mandy'S voice and crossed 10
the elm tree. drying her tears OF hap.
pineSs and trying TO control her newly
awakened emotions. Douglas felt In
/ tultively that she needed this moment
for recovery, so he piled the leaves
and garlands high I'm Mandy's arms.
then ran into the house with the light
step Of boy.
i got the Set-sit-settin' room all
] tidied up" said Mandy as she shot n
sly glance at Polly.
That's good" Polly answered. fac.
/ ing Mandy at last and dimpImg ana
! blushing guiltily
Mos de Sociable folks will mos
likely be hangin' roun' dc parsonage to-
night, stead oh stayin' I'm dc Sunday
school room. whnr dey belongs. Las
time dat ere Widow winoughby done
set roun' all ebenln a-tellin de par
son as how folks could les eat off'n
her kitchen noor, an ups an tells her
as how folks could pick up good
squar' meal ofr'n Mandy's floor too.
Guess she'll be mighty careful what
she says aforc Mandy tonight" She
[ chuckled as she disappeared down the
walk 10 the Sunday school room.
Folly stood motionless where Mandy
had left her. She hardly knew which
way To turn. She was happy. yet
afraid She felt like sinking upon her
/ knees and begging God TO be good TO
! her TO help her She who had once
been so independent so self reliant.
now felt the need OF direction from
above. She was no longer master OF
her own soul. Something had gone
4 from her, something that would never.
never come again. While she hesI.
tated Hasty came through the gate.
looking anxlously over his shoulder.
We'll HastyT" she said. for Il was
apparent that Hasty had something
important on his mind
ITS &c big one from de circus" he
whispered excitedly.
"The big oneT
"You know-de one what brung YOU"
You don't mean polly's question
was answered by Jim himself. who
had followed Hasty quickly through
the gate. Their arms were instantly
about each other. Jim forgot Hasty
and every ono I'm the world except
Polly. and neither OF them noticed the
horrlhcd Miss Perkins and the Widow
Willoughby. who had been crossing the
yard on their way from the Sunday
school room with Julia
You're just as big as ever" said
Polly when she could lc, go OF Jim
long enough TO look at him. you
haven't changed bit"
you've changed enough for both OF
us" He looked at the unfamiliar long
skirts and the new way Of doing her
hair. You're bigger. Poll. more grown.
up like"
"Oh, Jimw She glanced admiringly
at the new brown suit. the rather
startling tie and the neat little posy I'm
Jim's buttonhole.
"The fellows said ia have TO slick
up bit II | was a-comin' 60 see you.
so rs not TO make you ashamed OF me.
DO you like 'em?" he asked, looking
down approvingly at his new brown
West Virginia argus. [volume] (Kingwood, W. Va.) 1877-1946, 1909-05-13

clothes.
"Vcry much" For the first time Jim
noticed the unfamiliar manner Of her
speech He began TO feel self con-
scious a year ago she would have
said you Jet" He looked at her
awkwardly She hurried on. 'Hasty
told me you were showing In Wake
field. I knew you'd come 20 see me.
How's Barker and all the boysT She
stopped with a catch in her throat and
added more slowly. 'T suppose every
things different now that Toby IL
gone"
lied "a liked TO seen you aforc he
coshcd in," Jim answered, but maybe
it was Just as well he didn't You'd
hardly NJ kuowed him toward the last.
he got so thin an peeked like. lie
wasn't the same after we lost you
nobody was, not even Blngo"
"Havc YOU still got BlngoT she ask.
cd. through her tears.
Yep. we got him." duwicd Jim.
"but he ain't much good 30 more.
None Of the other riders can get used
20 his gait like you was There amt