Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-05-07

7 . . i. 81 .
only twenty-five, but he was very
wise, especially in the ways of West
Brooksmere. And in his boyish way
he was mighty proud and fond Of this
tall, clear-eyed blonde sister.
"Say, Win, you like Hartley, don't
your" he asked suddenly
Winifred lifted q flushed, tear
stained face, "Billie there are times
when I hate you"
"Perzactly," laugher Billie. when
tell the truth as Bess does. like
that girl, Win, even If you and the
mater do think she's an irresponsible
kid. II were twenty five and just
out of college instead Of just starting
in, I'd set old Hart pace"
Out on the open road that led hill
ward it did not appear that odd
Hart" needed pacestter. lie was
doing very we'll alone. For perhaps
the first time In her lively life, Bess
was silent and listening attentively.
Once or twice quick flush swept
over her face and left 1t, despite It's
youth, full of a certain womanllness
and serious intent
But how do you know" she de-
said one single word
How do you known" smiled back
Chambers. 81 have never spoken one
word to her"
And Bess laughed, a low, joyous
laugh. and bent low over her horses
neck as sweeping willow branch
came below her hat brim with sort
swish. Love is blind, isn't it," she
said
"As a bat" replied Chambers
cheerfully. "And the trouble is we
let pleasant old ladies like-well, IKE
somebody we both know, manage the
outward view for us. Now, listen 10
a sage. Billie's "a youngster, and he's
facing college. 1t won't do him any
GOOD. What he needs is the fresh
toning up that only life out West
would give him. He's an. anomaly
that sometimes happens here in this
eastern society of ours. He's prim-
tive. earnest, overgroWn cub, WIN
big ideals and great intentions, and
he hates the life here. Another thing,
he has a couple of elder brothers
ahead of him already entering the
business game. It's up to Billie to
make good himself, somehow. He
won't do it loafing around on foot
hall team as halfback, and running q
swell "frat" suite for four years. I'm
Going back to ask Winifred to be
nv wife. Can't you manage Billie"
Manage Billie?" She lifted bewil-
dered eyes to his.
take him West with you. You
don't like it here. saw you were
i1xyho
came out Let the boy tell you what
he's longing to and take him back
with you and find happiness IN
Gods country, while you're both I'M
spoiled youngsters.
Bess rode along silently. She was
eighteen. and as she listened to the
even, kindly voice beside her she felt
even ten years less. Instead OF the
low Westchester rolling land, she
saw the home ranch, circled by noun
tain peaks and the purple haze that
wreathed the foothills. miles upon
miles Of rich primeval country, walt
ing for the newer blood, for newer
hopes to stand by 1t, and believe in
its promise. And she thought of the
look in Billie's eyes when she told
him Of the land she loved.
But she said no more. When they
rode up to the broad portico, Cham
hers dismounted, and she watched
him as he strolled leisurely along the
smooth walks to where Winifred
stood. white-clad and fair-haired,
gathering the late chrysanthemum
blooms. Bess stood with one small
booted foot resting on the first step,
striking at q clump of ferns with her
whip-and thinking. Suddenly came
Billie's voice from the veranda rail
overhead:
"Well?" .
She did not look up.
ais it to be Mrs. Hartley Cham
bers?" She could have laughed from
sheer happiness at the wretchedness
IN the boys voice. Il don't blame
you" he went on. ANY girl Wouio
choose this if she had the chance IN
preference to an Idaho ranch. Ol
course, the mater is your own aunt
and my stepmother, so suppose I'm
| prejudiced against her good advice
1 But if dared"
Then Bess looked up at him
Coward" she whispered. Il dare
YOU"
| He stared at her for moment
then took the railing at one spring
crushing the ferns and flowers, ano
landing beside her, with new born
authority about his voice and man
ner.
"Bess," he demanded, "have you
refused Hartley"
Bess laughed "Billie, Billie boy
II you aren't just like stumbling
cub bronco! He never asked me te
marry him. He's talking 1t over
with Winifred this minute. I'm go
ing back to Idaho"
"And I'm going with you" Billie's
tone was low. He caught her to hin
almost roughly. "Bess, look at me-"
! 81 won't She struggled rebellious
ly. "Billie, don't. They'll see
YOU"
"They?" Billie retorted triumphant
w. They're too busy themselves"
Mrs. Dudley Graham, on the second
J verandah above, bent forward to cater
! the next words. but everything was
very quiet She adjusted her eye
glass thoughtfully, and smiled. Ever
l i~1; IN or