Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-08-20

derstand how 1t was, but whenever he
stood in the presence of Helen Ware
he found himself wishing--well--he
found himself wishing.
Both Dick and Molly were mem,
bers of the mixed choir at St Jar
lath's. Dick sang tenor when he did
| not forget and relapse into baritone,
and Molly was possessed of an ex
cellent contralto voice. but she was
an Indifferent reader. That was why
I it was necessary for H. darlington
Hopper, who had been made choir
master on account of his musical
ability, to coach Molly privately
whenever an alto solo was to be
sung. Hopper believed that he had
discovered great possibilities IN
Molly's voice, and after a while alto
solos We're frequent at ST. Jaralth's.
About that time the organist sue
cumbed to the inflrnites of old age
AMI Miss Ware consented to substi'
tute temporarily. She did not pro
fess to be mistress of the noble In
Strument, but she agreed that II some
one would come to her assistance
sit beside her on the bench at re-
!hearsals, pull stops and turn music
she would do her very best. Every
man in the choir volunteered in the
same. breath 1t actually frightened
Molly Alternately to discover how
little it disturbed her to have Dick
named as the preferred one.
For more than two years Dick had
walked home with Molly after choir
WI
neither of them felt aggrieved over
the willingness of the other to aban
don the habit. The interruption
came about SO naturally. Miss Ware
was responsible for the deed. One
evening after an unusual tug at 4
refractory anthem, which persisted
in going wrong after every effort had
been made to induce 1t to do other
WISE the organist requested the
tenor to remain for a few minutes
after rehearsal in order to perfec,
himself in his part.
Instead Of waiting until Dick
should prove himself either the vic
tor or vanquished, Molly was pos
sessed of sudden whim to start of
alone, only to be intercepted at the
door Of the parish house by the
choirmaster, who had returned IN
search Of paper he had mislaid.
"If you will give me one minute
Miss Alternately" he said, Il will
walk home with you-provided, Of
course you will permit me-"
| Without pausing to receive hel
consent, he disappeared into the
building, reappearing in rather less
i with a r>a
covered paper.
Il notified Hathaway Of my inten
tion,' he laughed as they moved on
1T wasn't at all necessary" she de
clared emphatically.
HE didn't hear me. I couldn't
attract his attention"
WAS he singing?" She knew he
wasn't, but she wanted to hear the
answer.
"He hadn't begun. He was seated
on the bench, his back toward me
and Miss Ware was talking earnest
giving instruction, probably"
!, probably she said, with an al
of Indifference that seemed genuine
| to him, lawyer though he was.
After Dick had sung over the BAT
fling two measures or so at least {
dozen times and had at last attained
perfection Miss Ware dismissed hin
with a parting injunction not to for
! get that he was tenor
"And l hope l haven't offended
Miss Alternately by depriving her O
your company-or you, either she
added, without looking at him."
j mo need to worry on my account,
| Dick assured her. CAS- for Miss Amer
nathy-"
II suppose Mr.. Hopper awaited
himself of the opportunity to see hel
home safely He seems to be greatly
taken with-with her voice." sht
}said.
| They were at the door Of the parish
room that opened into the rectory
The sexton, who was waiting to pu
out the lights, stood grumblins
audibly.
"wouldn't it be jolly If thos.
4 two" Dick began and then hest
. tated
1 "No-it Wouldn't" she returned 81
promptly and so decidedly that HI
wondered at it, Before he could asl
! her why not she had hidden him {
lhasty goodnight and passed within.
| Next evening when Dick put in hi:
customary appearance at the Aber
nathy house he was told by the mait
who admitted him that Molly hat
gone over to the rectory. He wa:
both ashamed and relieved-humili
4 ated by his treachery toward the CIR
who had promised him what hi
asked and relieved to find that thu
dreaded confession might still b.
postponed.
1t so happened that Dick wa.
spared the pain Of that confession
An affair that came to elimination
on the very next night-an episode
that stirred the social fabric o
/ Eureka to it's foundation-broug
Dick and Molly together again, thi:
time secure in the belief that theil
only mistake had been to doubt. ever
for single moment, the gentlenes:
of their attachment.
1 This final state Of affairs was
made possible by the elopment ant
marriage Of H. darlington Hopper
and Helen Ware. They had beer
lovers long before coming to Eureka
but the young woman's friends hac
rs %hN 90 ho,