Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-05-17
: THE EVENING STORY I
BY CLAR1ssIE MACKEY.

BY CLARlSSlE MAChEY.
Copyright, 1910. by Associated Lit
erary Press.)
Nancy waved last good-by and
turned away with little lump in her
throat While she had not expected
1t, she would have rejoiced greatly
had one of her sisters offered to sac
rif1ce part of her vacation and spend
1t with Nancy, keeping house for her
father in the hot city.
Perhaps it was unfortunate that
Nancy was the only one of the
motherless Owen girls, who had a
taste for housekeeping. OF the other
three, Bess taught in the kindergar-
ten, Olive was a librarian and Bea-
trice taught music in private school.
When schools were closed and Olive
had begged vacation the three were
wont to pack their trunks and join a
merry party of friends in country and
seashore, where, chaperoned by dis
tant cousin, they enjoyed all the plea
sures of the gay summer.
This had gone on for several years,
and Mr.. Owen, absorbed in business,
had not noticed that Nancy was not
getting her share of the good things
of the world. When his own vacation
came around the other girls had re-
turned, and he had gone away on a
hunting or fishing trip quite content
that his daughters were looking fresh
and bright and happy.
This year he had thought Nancy
looked tagged and worn, and into the
midst of vacation plans he had thrown
quiet question.
what Of Nan? She has never had
a vacation. Why can't one of you
girls stay with me and let Nancy go
away?"
There was chorus of protest, But
father, Nan is home all the time-she
doesn't require rest! The rest of us
are poked up all day nine months in
the year over stpuid children Nancy
doesn't need a vacation"
Nancy had not been there and never
KNEW of the argument; she had be-
come used to staying at home during
the warm summer days and had learn
ed to arrange the house SO that it
her father on his return at night.
With one maid servant, Nancy had
not much work to do, but 1t was the
, monotony Of the lonely life that told
upon her and drove the pink from her
cheek and the elasticity from her step.
$50 the girls got away all right?"
questioned Mr. Owen as he unfolded
his napkin that night.
eyes" said Nancy, spiritlessly.
"Feel bit lonely, honey"
Just little, father"
1--WE must get time to run around
to SOME of the summer shows, Nan!
It won't do for us to get down in the
mouth just because we're left alone,
eh?" Mr.. Owen finished his soup be-
fore he peereG at Nancy around the
pink-shaded lamp.
She was smiling brightly as she
smiled every year when her father
made the same remark; Mr.. Owen de-
tested every form of entertainment
save the opera, and Nancy mercifully
never held him to his half-veiled
promises.
A few days after this Mr.. Owen tel
ephoned Nancy that he would bring
guest home to dinner that night. 1t
was not uncommon for her father to
invite some business friend to dinner,
and the girl was accustomed to listen
quietly to much talk about business
and politics.
So she laid another place at the
table and added few touches to the
dainty arrangement. It was all very
cool and appetizing after the hot glare
OF the downtown streets. A frosted
green shade on the lamp, bunch of
dark purple violets in a silver vase,
the sparkle of cut glass and polished
silver, made the meal most inviting
In the parlor, now shrouded in
brown linen and softly lighted from