Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-25

Il
came every Saturday evening and had
been coming for number of years
but this was Thursday The unexpect
edness of this visit and the fact that
| in every movement Of Abners awk.
ward figure, there was an undefinable
something, an animation to his gait
that she had not noticed before, con.
WINGED her that something awful had
happened
She arose and ran to throw open
the door.
"Abner," she gasped, what's the
matter? is somebody hurt?"
No" he replied. and Pamela noted
that an angry flush rushed to his face
and his breath came in short hard
pants.
Il just heard about that fellow that
has been coming to see you told
the boys it wasn't SO. Is it?
Pamela stood in doubt moment.
Then with slow dignity she drew her
self to her full height and answered
stiffy:
"Abner Brown, | am surprised 1t
is none of your business who comes to
see me. We are not engaged"
None of my business" he blurted
I'll make it my business. | think a
man that has been coming steady to
see you for years has some right to
your confidence"
Il have no confidence to give" she
persisted.
Pamela he gasped in wide-eyed
surprise.
Bring Abner in called a voice
from the sitting room.
"Yes-Abner, come in said Pamela
softly.
Since Mrs. Hitchcock wants me to
stay, | believe will"
Il want you to stay too, Abner"
you do, eh?" he asked sarcastically
and stalked into the house.
Pamela noticed her mothers face
BRIGHTEN when Abner entered.
Good evening, Abner. my boy. Let
me see. this is Thursday Rather
earlv in the week for vou?" Mrs.
Hitchcock adjusted her spectacles TO
look at him quizzically.
II had to go over to Ed Lambs. and
it being so close | thought it would be
shame to pass by. Crops are look
ing fine"
Pamela smiled to herself at his
feeble attempt to shift the subject
at is pretty sight to watch the
rows and rows Of ripening corn when
a mite of wind is stirring, but | don't
suppose I'll see it much longer, for"
why? You aren't going away, Mrs.
Hitchcock" Brown asked in alarm.
"Pamela's been" but the old
voice uuavered and stopped short at
a warning glance from her daughter.
"Of course mother, after corn husk-
ing there will be nothing but bare
fields, but you are used to that" Pa
mela remarked.
But there won't be even bare fields
in" she continued.
Certainly not" interrupted Pamela.
"How is Ed Lambs folks? have been
so busy that haven't had time to go
there lately
Fair to middling. Ed is talking of
selling his farm" 'Abner answered,
absently gazing out Of the window to
where the old mill creek wound In and
out OF the little valley below.
so are we," Mrs. Hitchcock said
without looking at her daughter Pa
mela didn't want me to say nary a
word about it until we had decided.
I believe she has about made
up her mind. But law me! don't
believe in being so close mouthed to
anybody like you, Abner, that I held
in my arms when you was baby. |
What do you think about it?
81 think it would be downright fool
ish to sell the, farm that you have
lived on so long Then there are SO
many associations about it that must
give you a deal Of comfort. The city
is no place for woman like you, Mrs.
Hitchcock, that has been used to the
broad out of DOORS
81 know it. Do you hear that, Pa
mela ?" Mrs. Hitchcock gueried, a flush
into her withered cheeks.
Eyes" Pamela murmured.
Doesn't it change you a mite?" Her !
old voice trembled.
mo- Pamela answered I'm tired
of this humdrum life of ours mother:
each dav as colorless as the others. ] |
want to see something besides Miller's
elevator, few spraying houses in |
the village, the town pump and Tom
Craig's general store. Just think of it, |
mother! We own one hundred and |
sixty acres of some of the choicest
prairie land in Illinois, and you and I
have never been to Springfield
q didn't know you cared about go
ing to such places. Do you mind what |
the preacher said last Sabbath about |
folks being contented with their lot?
| reckon that some people from tha
stuffy CITY would be glad to change
places with YOU Mrs. Hitchcock said |
"If the preacher believes in being
contented why wasn't he satisfied |
with the suit the Ladies' Aid society
bought him instead Of finding fault |
with the cut Of it?" Pamela returned
q never felt called upon to criticise
The minister and | don't think you !
ought to" Mrs. Hitchcock looked at |
ler daughter reprovingly.
"I'll sell my eighty, mother. SO don't
worry" Pamela declared, with an air
Of assurance that nearly provoked Alb
ler into spasm.
Pamela Hitchcock, you don't know
What you are doing! What would you
invest your money thinning stock?"
lie protested.
That's my business" she retorted
A sharp rap on the parlor door