Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-02-01

airy line in the woods and Mrs. Wynne
that Silas Lane was trying
to take advantage of the fact that she
was a woman who did not understand
matters of business-and after that NJ
went from bad to worse, until Silas
Lane actually claimed the brook that
formed the boundary line between the
two properties; then the two families
did not recognize one another, and to
friendly little Adora this was a great |
blow.
But that was not the worst. When |
half of the year had gone by, John
Lane had come home from the agri-
cultural college where he was learn
ing to be a notwithstanding farmer.
Adora met him at barn dance, and as
soon as he learned the name Of the
handsome stranger, whose steady,
grave gray eyes followed her wistfully
in the mazes of the dance, a sudden
terror struck to her heart-for she
very much feared that she would like
to know John Lane. But she was
forced to whisper reminder of the
feud to one and another in order to
avoid an introduction to the stranger,
and when the time came to go home,
Adora had vision Of very stern
John Lane whose eyes avoided her
timid glance, while John Lane secretly
carried away sore heart and recoi-
lection Of sweet oval face with shy
brown eyes.
They met in the village and passed
haughtily by, each with beating heart.
When the holidays were over John
Lane had gone away again and Adora
lost her interest in the winter amuse-
ments of the village and even went so
far as to find fault with Aunt AIMS
attitude against the Lanes.
Adoras way through the woods led
across the brook that formed the boun.
Diary line between the two properties.
1t added to her discomfort to find Silas
Lane himself. diligently chopping
hole in the ice of the brook prepare
tory to dropping a fishing line into the
icy water underneath.
"Howd'y do?" said Silas politely, as
Adora passed with daintily lifted
skirts. "The laurel's pretty handsome
this year"
Adora inclined her head gravely,
but made no response. She had prom
ised Aunt Ann not to speak to the
Lanes and she would not break her
promise-and yet, something impelled
her to pause and look wistfully back
at the old man who had returned to
his sport with an angry little laugh.
Suddenly he looked up and saw her
watching him with grave intentness
and, with an impatient gesture, he
threw down his line and came toward
her.
Mad at me, amt you, miss?" he
queried dryly.
Adora shook her head slowly.
"Spose your Aunt Wynne's told you
all about how cheated her out OF the
brook-eh?" he insisted.
She nodded.
"Well, | didn't cheat her-it's be-
longed to us for three generations,
only your great grandfather he sur
veyed the property in his day and, as
| cool as you please, he just annexed
4 the brook. We just let 1t go year after
| wear but when was looking out for
! John-that's my son-to come home
and take over the farm | felt's though
| he ought to have the brook. It's ours
| by right and the water power will be
| lust the one thing that's lacking on
our farm. | told Mrs. Wynne, / says,
Go down to the recorders Office and
see the papers for yourself. It's all
down in black and white but, woman
like, she wouldn't stir a step, but just
sits back and sulks."
as that true?" Adora broke the ST.
lence at last
every words true. You can go
down to the office this minute and ask
the clerk to prove 1t to you. / wish
your aunt would make up her mind to
be good friends and"
But Adora had sped back across the
brook and when Silas had finished
speaking she was quite out Of sight
among the trees.
Aunt Ann Wynne was quietly knit
ting when Adora burst into the room
the girls cheeks were aglow with ex
citement and her soft eyes shone with
expectation.
"Whatever is the matter. Adora?'
asked her aunt curiously, as Adore
sank -breatblesslv into chair ant
pulled off her gloves.
~ spoke TO asLane." announced
Adora defiantlv.
(Which one?" she snapped.
Mrs Wynne stared incredulously.
"Silas Lane himself"
The older woman's lips were set il
straight line and her needles flashed
: in the sunlight.
81 merely uttered three words" ex
) planned Adora; 81 was passing through
! the woods when Mr.. Lane spoke te
! me-he said my great grandfather hat
annexed the brook wears ago when ne
surveyed the woodland. He said We
never had owned it, and that it was
) theirs. And he could prove it by show
! ing us the records; so | said to him;
rs that true?' When he said it was
: came home. Is it true, Aunt Ann?"
~ don't know" returned Mrs
Winnie. obstinately.
| "Have YOU seen the records?" per
; sisted Adora.
! "No-aDd don't want to! Tha
brooks been in nv family as long as
, can remember and J shall always con
: sider it nine Yonr Uncle VIII Away
spoke as il it belonged to us-no,
don't want to see any records
''But Aunt Ann. il yon are SO sur
that It is YOURS why not examine tn