Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-10-04

not De QcdrQ LnlS lcTH
lent terms, under his breath. Too rest
less and outdone to sit still, he left the
car and began to pace up and down on
the switch track, parallel with the
main, bothering the porter, the con-
ductor, the engineer with score OF
questions. Nobody, it seemed, could tell
him anything.
Suddenly he observed coming to-
ward him curiously familiar young
person in a black skirt and crisp
white shirtwaist. She wore little tur-
ban on her brown curls.
"Phoebe!''
She stopped. A little scowl devel-
oped between her brows.
Il didn't know you were on this
train. How"
II got on at the last station she
said stiffly, land took the chair car.
Probably that is it, 81
Look here, Phoebe, we acted like
pair of kids the other day. Why
can't we come to our senses and
be
Because, interposed she gravely,
81 found out the truth in time that
is all. You never really cared or you
would have acted differently. could
not be happy with man
Unless he yielded weakly to your
every whim? Is that it" The resent
full red showed dark under Craigs
tanned skin as he spoke. But he in.
stantly regretted the words and went
on in softened tone: Say that it is
all a hideous nightmare, dear; that
you didn't mean what you said-that
-"
81 have made up my mind she cut
in haughtily. Thank Heaven Ihave
strength Of character to adhere to my
decision" She brushed past him,
and for a moment young Craig stood
where she had left him. He had no
idea of abandoning his purpose, but
how should he proceed?
The answer came from an I'M
expected source Among the passen-
gers who had begun to alight for a
breath of fresh air, he espied little
Molly Geralds, a winsome blonde who
had come in for a large share OF his
attentions in Plainfield the season be-
fore he met Phoebe. Everybody had
said it was a match, and doubtless IT
would have been had not Phoebe made
her entrance at the psychological mo-
ment He hurried over to Molly and
held out a cordial hand. The girls
pleasure was obvious. For some min
utes they stood laughing and talking
Then, presently they walked of to-
gether and were lost to view among
the wild flowers on little knoll be-
yond.
Phoebe watched them with burst
ing heart. She had never quite gotten
over Harold Craig's devotion to Molly
Gerelds. and now the latent jealousy
famed into life.
The prolonged shrek of an engine
whistle brought the pair hurrying,
almost running, back to the disabled
train
Phoebe assumed her most frigid air
as she walked briskly toward her car
But the life had gone out OF her; she
moved by sheer momentum, and her
face was very white. The sound OF
quick footsteps behind her caused her
to turn with start.
II picked up your parasol down
there by the tree, where you were
sitting. Here it is. It's yours, isn't
it?' Craig's voice was apologize.
OF course it was hers. Hadn't he
given it to her on her last birthday?
She accepted it mutely, hating herself
because she could think of no word
to say to show to him her indiffer-
ence
At this juncture the engine backed
into the cars With an ominous clank.
Everybody was hurrying to get
aboard.
Phoebe turned. startled. and sought
the name Of her, car with anxious eyes.
The train was creaking and whining;
it had begun to move.
"Oh." she gave little cry.
But Craig detained her with wise
like grip on her arm. The f1erceness
of his grasp brought her to pause.
HAL, how-how dare you!"
I'D dare anything for my-for our
happiness. Phoebe. I'm not going to
let you get back to civilization until
you've come back to reason. Those
people are waiting for you in Los
Angeles. Oh. I know all about the ar
rangement, never mind how. want
it fixed SO they can't hold you to any
OF those quixotic promises you made
them. We're only mile from one of
the suburban towns Well look up the
Justice and be married sans preacher
and sans church. But we'll be married
all the same-and nothing else counts.
Will you?
Phoebe suddenly bethought herself
of Molly Gerelds. 1t would never do to
let him 90 back to Los Angeles where
she was, and
While inclination and doubt were
struggling for mastery the last coach
vanished around the curve.