Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-04-23
don't even know where the girl

ner-because. you know, Estelle, Sam
has always been good to us!" said
Margaret, bravely.
And Estell1 tearfully acquiesced.
Jenny Lee raised her black broWs
in undisquised amazement when Mar
garet Mead stopped at the lac" coun-
ter and invited her to dinned that
evening.
Il am Margaret Mead" said the
professors sister, pleasantly. Sam
uel has .old us about you--and we
are very glad indeed. This 'e his
birthday and my sister and thought
it would be charming if you would se
With us.
Miss Lee Redeemed with pleasure
and with her exotic coloring looked
handsomer than ever She threw
whitening glance at a fellow clerk
who was greedily absorbing what she
should of the conversation.
II shall be happy to come" she
said. stiff1y. Its funny the professor
should have told you about me-
though she added, confidentially.
ut was quito natural that he shou.l
tell u.s. said Margaret, bit colfly
I'VE will expect you at o'clock,
then" she said as she walked away.
Sure returned Miss Lee. affably
That Is how it happened that the
Misses Mead found themselves enter.
tanning Jenny Lee in the tiny parlor
Of their home Through the curtains
a glimpse of the dining room could be
seen, with daintily set table and a
huge pink-frosted cake in the center
Miss Lee was very stately IN a
rustlilS black silk gown, and her
blac hair was twisted into an intri-
cate mass o. coils and puffs and
braids. 1t irritated Estelle because
the girl did not seem to know what to
do with her hands and feet.
"Do you play?' asked Margaret at
Il It, when the stilted conversation
came to an abrupt pause.
Miss Lees face Frightened. Indeed
] dol" she exclaimed. 1--WE been look.
ing at that lovely piano ever since
came. Have you heard the new song
Come for Sail in Ny Airship?'
she asked, moving toward the instru'
ment.
NO" said Estelle, grimly
"Play it, do" Margaret's voice was
far from steady. She was thinking OF
Pussy Lincoln and her exquisite rem
clifton Of Chopin. If Samuel preferred
a younger wife and the allurement OF
popular musc--it was Samuel's bust
ness
Jenny Lee played with dash and
vigor that startled her hearers. She
sang with perfect abandonment to
the spirit of the song, and her fresh,
young voice rose high above the pro.
longed ringing of the front door bell.
The busy little maid servant an.
swered at last. and just as the song
was concluded with triumphant
trill on the last note, Margaret heard
her brothers inquiring voice in the
front hall
Presently the door was pushed
slowly open. throwing the piano and
the occupant of the carved seat before
it into obscurity. Professor Mead's
long pale face was thrust, cautiously
around the Intel, then his lean body
followed, and in his wake came a
small dark woman with charming
face, exquisitely gowned in pale gray
silk with a huge bunch Of violets
nesting in the laces of her gown.
The professor led her forward with
beaming countenance. told Es-
telle about orr engagement last
night. Jenny-Ive made myself a
birthday present. girls!" He stood
back and rubbed his hands compla.
Gently.
PUSSY Lincoln!" screamed tie
Misses Mead, as they flung them
selves into the embrace of the new
conner. Professor Mead encircled the
group with his long arms, and so 1t
happened that none Of them noticed
the slender form of Miss Lee glide
stealthily from the room.
Margaret noted her absence and
darted into the hall. ''Why-you are
not going. Miss Lee? You were TO
stay to dinner, you know" faltereG
Margaret, watching Jenny Lee fasten
on her big hat with skewer-like pins.
Miss Lee winked in a friendly man
ner. mot on your life! saw in
minute the professor had got sur
prise on you girls, and as it's his
birthday you want a little family par.
ty! I'll come some other time Miss
Mead, If it's just the same to you.
You see, the professor Is fine fellow
and all the girls in my class at the
night school think hes great-you
see, he's been real good to me. I'm
studying English and bookkeeping.
and we walk down the street together
every morning-he amt bit stuck
up, you know-and when I've learned
enough he's going to help me get a
good position Miss Lincolns my Sun.
day school teacher-so, you seq, I
guess won't butt in tonight! So
iong!" With bright nod and hearty
grasp of Margaret's extended hand,
she was gone.
In the parlor she fell into Estelle's
ecstatic embrace. 81 have just re.
membered that Pussy's real name is
Jenny" whispered Estelle in Mar
gare-'s ear.
Miss Lincoln sat down at the piano
and struck few soft chords.
The two girls kissed the professor
warmly. 1--WE are SO happy-about
you and Pussy" they explained.
81 knew you would be delighted
With Jenny" he said, blinking amiably
at them"