Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-02-20

girl, her head pillowed on the treas
ure bag, mapped uneasily, while Kirk
wood plodded restlessly to and fro, up
and down the platform, communing
with the shade of care and adding his
poor, weary wits with the problem OF
the future-not so much his own as
the future of. the unhappy child for
whose welfare he had assumed respon-
sibility Dark for both of them, in
his understanding tomorrow doomed
darkest for her.
Not until the gray, formless light
of the dawn-dusk was wavering over
the land, did he cease his perambula-
lions. Then a gradual stir Of life in
the city streets, together with the ap-
opening the waiting rooms
and preparing them against
the traffic of the day, warned him that
he must rouse his charge, He paused
and stood over her, reluctant to dis
| torn with compassion for her, his soul
embittered by the cruel irony of their
estate
If what he understood were true, 4
kings ransom was secreted within the
cheap, imitation-leather satchel which
served her for pillow. But it availed
her nothing for her comfort. If what
he believed were true, she was abso
Lutte mistress of that treasure of jew.
els; yet that night she had been forced
to sleep on hard, uncushioned bench
in the open air, and this morning he
must waken her to the life hunted
thing. A week ago she had had at
her command every luxury known to
| the civilized world today she was
friendless, but for his inefficient,
worthless self, and in strange land.
A week ago-had he known her then
! he had been free to tell her of his
love to offer her the protection of his
name as we'll as his devotion; today he
was an all but penniless vagabond,
and there could be no dishonor deep.
er than to let her know the nature Of
his hearts desire.
Was ever lover hedged from a dec
| laration to his mistress by circum-
stances so hateful, so untoward! He.
could have ragged and rallied against
| his fate like any mailman. For he de-
sired her greatly and she was very
| lovely in his sight If her nights rest
had been broken and but a mockery,
she showed few signs of it; the faint,
was complexion Of fatigue seemed
only to enhance the beauty Of her
maidenhood; her lips were as fresh
and DESTROYS As the dowy petals of
crimson rose beneath her eyes soft
shadows lurked where her lashes lay
tremulous upon her cheeks OF satin.
She was to him of all created
things the most wonderful, the most
desirable.
The temptation of his longing SEEM
ed more than he could long Withstand.
But resist he must, OF part for ever
with any title to her consideration
or his own. He shut his teeth and
knotted his brows in a transport OF
ger-tips, the woven wonder of her
| hair
And thus she saw him, when, with
out warning, she awoke.
Bewilderment at first informed the
wide brown eyes; then, as they drow-
siness vanished, a little laughter,
little tender mirth.
Good morning, Sir knight of the
Somber Countenance!" she cried
standing up. 'Am so utterly disrep-
utable that you find it necessary to
frown on me SO darkly7"
He shook his head, smiling.
81 know I'm fright she asserted
vigorously. shaking out the folds OF
her pleated skirt. "And as for my hat,
it will never be on straight-but then
you wouldn't know"
''It seems all right he replied va
cantly.
Then please to try to look a little
happier, since you find me quite pre-
sentable."
Il do. -
Without lifting her Bonded head,
she looked up, laughing not ill-pleas-
/ ed. You'd say so +. really?"
Commonplace enough, this banter.