Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-30

stanton very carefully tore the card
into illegible fragments, dragged out
the flowers to ding them into the aria
fireplace, and rang the bell.
Bring fresh Ice water" ne bade
the bell boy who appeared. And q
time table for New York"
However. he did not leave Lowell
that day, detained by Mr.. Green with a
score Of appointments and arrange
ments. Nor was It until two days lat
er that he found himself free to seek
the address In upper New York which
he had wrested from the reluctant as
sistant manager.
Floyd asked me not to give IT to
people," Mr.. Green had protested.
did he ask you not to give ~ TO
me?"
No, but" e
Very we'll; am not people.
Don't you see him enough at race
times, Stanton? I'm sure he Is the
best man we have had" fretted his
manager.
Stanton was recalling that interview
as he went UP the stairs Of the quiet
apartment house indicated. After all,
1t was true that Floyd might have
volunteered his address, himself II he
had wished 1t known. Perhaps ne
did not want to see his driver unomc'
ally. A sense OF unwelcomeness OPP
pressed Stanton, but ne Kept on MS
way. He had never sWerved from
course because Of the opinions OF 9TH
ers; he did not think OF turning back
now
Some one was singing, as he reached
the fourth floor; singing in smooth,
honey rich, honey-golden contralto.
Warned of his approach by the bell
pushed below, the door of the apart
ment was opened, so that the melody
came flooding his hearing with its
haunting familiarity. A little old
Irishwoman in black silk was peering
up at the tall visitor on the thresh-
hold.
"Mr. Floyd?" he inquired. my
name is Stanton
The old servant drew back, smil-
ing invitation, and pushed aside
curtain. And Stanton saw Jessica
Floyd rise from her seat at the piano,
taking a step to meet him.
She was so like Floyd that he could
have cried out In his wonder, yet was
most purely and softly feminine. She
seemed taller, in her clinging pale
gown. and even more slender, Tut
Floyd's silver-gray eyes looked out
from her long lashes, Floyd's bronze
curls clustered around her wide broWs,
under the braids wound about her
head, and her smile vas a more tim1d
reflection Of the incarnate sunshine OF
his.
81 am sorry Jes is not a home," she
said, holding out her hand with nat
ural grace Of hospitality that rose
above her nervous shyness. II am
Jessica Floyd, Mr.. Stanton, his sister"
She was afraid Of him. The too OBJ
vious fact struck deep into Stanton,
as he felt her fingers futter In his
clasp. So this was the reputation he
had earned for himself?
Perhaps l should not have come
he apologized quite humbly. Floyd
gave me no warrant for 1t. But he
was very good to me, when was SICK
in Lowell, and wanted to thank him."
She looked at him fully, then, and
again he could have cried out at the
wonder Of so meeting Floyd's straight
candor of regard
why should you not come? Jes
has not SO many friends that they are
not welcome in his home. Only, II he
had known of your coming, he would
have been here
She moved to chair, inviting him
by a gesture to do likewise, and took
I'D halfembroidered silk scarf.
"He was called out of town." she
added, after waiting for her silent
guest to speak He will be sorry to
have missed you. From Mr.. Green he
learned that you had quite recovered,
after he left you"
.'And he? ] hurt his arm
She glanced up, astonished.
.You hurt his ARM"
81 was driving the car" Stanton as
lSumed grim responsibility.
This time she laughed, two adorable
dimples starting into view In her
cheeks Of glowing rose-and-amber vel
vet; not the complexion Of blonde
beauty, nor CT brunette, but some
happy intermediate tint that pre-
supposed f1awless health and much
sunlight. Stanton had never observed
any dimples about his mechanician.
II am certain Jes never thought OF
that standpoint. He said turn and
a JlIS WcIS " OlQAAS. 4SuS AA0 q al AZ
almost we'll"
She spoke SO lightly, with so much
of Floyd's own nonchalant acceptance
of incidental mishaps, that Stanton
was surprised into indiscretion.
You do not worry about him." he
questioned "You are not nervous
about his racing. and racing with me?"
Her lashes fell, her face grew seri-
Gus.
IF anything happens to Jes. will
die too" she slowly answered. We
are-twins No. do not worry. Be-
sides, | grew up used to seeing Jes
in danger: he told you Of his life with
father?"
Yes"
well, he never had time to be
afraid. or to be afraid for him. You
can not be afraid of things you have
teen doing or seeing done ever since
you could understand at all. AS or
binary babies are taken out In car
riages. Jes was taken out in fast motor
cars. My father could not bear him out
of his sight; when Jes was in kits, he
was taken to the factory each day to