Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-08

boats here. He's pretty fair looking
chap and since I've had him here the
boat trade has more than doubled. All
the girls In the country and town have
come to think there's nothing like sail.
ing There's one pretty girl who has
been here every morning regularly for
: ten days"
: On his way home Ned evolved plan
OF action. In the afternoon he invited
a girl he knew to go to the summer re.
sort for sail.
"oh, then at last ! may see Jacks
she exclaimed, laughing.
"Jack?"
The picturesque new boatman. The
girls all have been out to see him.
= They say he looks like Romeo. Mother
wouldn't let me go out there alone"
Ned had to admit that Jack was Ger.
tainly of the type to appeal to the ar
tistic and feminine eye. He was slen.
der, supple and 1.-the and handled the
boat with ease and grace. He had
dark, foreign-loolling eyes. strong fea.
lures, brown skin, even white teeth
and a musical voice He wore corduroy
trousers, blue flannel shirt with turn.
down collar and rolled-up sleeves, red
tie, bit of cap on the back of his
head. with Bryonic raven lock on hia
brow.
When they We're in the sailboat Ned
tried to draw him into conversation,
but sailor-like his eyes and thoughts
were centered on the boat and sky.
That is where the fascination lay"
thought Ned. IF only he had shown
his level by his speech, Edith would
have been dislllusioned. guess she is
only worshiper from affair.""
"They must keep you pretty busy
here" he observed as they landed.
Have to work evenings. | suppose ?"
Yes: that's our busy time" replied
Jack. "Once in a while l lay off for
a morning. am going to get off to.
morrow and go to the ball game"
BE sure you do" urged Ned "It's
going to be the game of the season."
He went home, relieved. Jack had
omitted all his "g's' and had said
git for get" He went early to the
game the next morning and secured a
seat on the bleachers, watching the
entrance faithfully. Presently Jack ap,
peared dressed up" His attire was
just what Ned had hoped it would be
AT luncheon he remarked casually to
his sister, Bessie Lawrence and |
went to Round Lake for sail yester.
day"
She blushed and darted a quick
glance at him.
II hear the girls are all wild over
the new boatman | don't wonder. He's
about as handsome a chap as l ever
saw outside of a picture"
Edith looked relieved and pleased.
isn't he beautiful?" she asked en-.
| thIIc 10 ~ J~ I.
boat wel?"
eyes he's a born sailor. So YOU
have been sailing with him, Edith?"
Yes, few times" she said, hest
tating
Have you been with him anywhere
else?''
Once or twice. We rowed UP TIL.
creek and"
4 And where else, Edith" he asked
!, gently.
Il took him in my automobile for a
ride"
:. And do you think that was just the
thing to do. Why not ask him to come
to your house, as you did Tom and the
others? 2"
Il thought" she said, reddenins
under his gaze, that you would OBJ.
ject
i would certainly prefer to have
you see him here than to be going
where he is made his acquaintance
at the ball game this morning shall
ask him to call If you like"
Il don't think | want him to CALL"
she said nervously
Why not?" he asked in feigned sur.
prise.
4 don't know just why she said
doubtfully.
I made inquiries about him and
find that he is respectable, indus
trious fellow. I'll ask him to come up
after dinner tonight. want to see
him anyway and figure on sailboat
party for next week"
He telephoned to the resort and Jack
promised to call at o'clock that night.
When he was admitted by the maid
Edith and Ned were in the library
Edith looked at him and turned away
from Ned's dancing eyes Jack wore
bright tan shoes, plaid socks, light
trousers, a gaudy waistcoat, gor-
geous tie, watch chain with multi
plicity of dangling charms, a large pin
In his tie and an organization emblem
in his lapel. He seemed perfectly at
ease, however. much more SO than his
hostess. And he blithely ignored all the
rules of English. After half an hour
Ned considered from his sisters coun-
tenance that the lesson had been
: learned
Now, Berden' he said, Tets figure
on getting that biggest boat Of yours
UP through the chain of lakes"
Then, If you want to talk business,
may be excused" said Edith hastily
leaving the room.
Presently her brother called to her.
Our caller had to depart he said
gravely He had only two hours
leave. BY the way, Edith, he confded
to me that he had a girl-a dandy girl,
he said
Ned" she said. tears of mortifca
ton in her eyes, "he looks so different
in boat"
THAT is true He should stay in
one But did you know that Tom re-