Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-06-08


another glance in my direction.
Then of sudden memory came
upon me, and my heart contrac: ca
with a greatness Of fear that ! mao
never known.
For moment I could see her no.
where, then as staggered to uncertain
feet found her. She lay behind me-
her hand pillowing her cheek as IT she
slept. And as knelt beside her to
listen fearfully at her heart laughed
with half sob, for the beat came
surely and with growing strength.
The sudden easing of my fear came
over me drowsily until It seemed as II
all the world lay in the hollow OF the
meadow about me and time had been
blotted out. In the grass beside her |
sat down to wait.
To my bewildered sense we were
two shadowy people in an Impossible
dream. A hayward tendrll OF dark
hair had fallen across her eyes. l
smoothed it softly back and my fingers
brushed her hair lightly and stray
ingly, as my mothers had mine In BY
gone day, tenderly and as If we shared
in the secret of sleep.
I do not know when her eyes opened.
but looking down found them turned
to mine. She smiled, sighed softly, and
closed them. Then again they opened.
81 think that I should like to sit
up" she said.
helped her carefully. Are you all
right" I asked.
She smiled uncertainty. II think so.
I am very dizzy"
My arm was half about her, and for
long moment her head rested against
me- Then she sat up very straight ana
a little apart, busylng herself about
her dress, giving a practised touch to
her hair and the laces at her neck,
and smoothing the scarcely ruffled
breadths Of her skirt.
1 gazed out across our meadow to
where three black and white cows
stood sleepily knee-deep in small
pool. A meadow-lark rose and crossed
the field in erratic, wavering flight. A
little cloud tempered the brightness
and passed.
What happened?" she asked softly
at last.
pointed to where the trolly lay
towering behind her.
She lost color little and sprang to
her feet, then she turned to me laugh
ing.
II never saw anything look 80
ashamed of itself in my life," she said.
Speak to it kindly. Mr.. Crosby; II
can't lie there with it's feet in the air
for ever"
shook my head ruefully. II am
afraid that 1t will have to stay there
for the afternoon, at least"
"But how are we-how am I-going
to get homer" Where are the crew,
and wasn't there another passenger"
gasped. had absolutely forgotten
the other woman.
She was lying not far from us In a
little hollow of the long grass and for
the moment l thought that she was
dead. The sallow, foreign face was
yellow white. the plump hands were
gripped, as IL in some past convulsive
agony, above her head, and this same
muscular rigidity seemed to underlie
anonymously every formeless line OF
the flabhy body
Miss Tabor's hand trembled upon
my arm. do you think that she-that
she is dead?" she whispered.
J stopped to the woman's wrist. The
pulse came family with dull throb
that was unbeliveably slow. But as |
still fumbled the pulpy hand caught
mine in grip that made me vince,
the bloodless lips stirred In shudder-
ing moan, and without opening her
eyes she spoke.
at is hard. hard" she said, there
is too much light Will some one turn
down the ,light?" A long convulsive
tremor ran over the entire body and
the hand in mine struggled in anguish.
Miss Tabor shivered.
81 am afraid that she is very much
hurt" said as gently as could. l
was ashamed of myself, but fear
seemed to clutch me. Then I gave my
self mental shake and caught my hat
from the ground. "You will have to
stay with her, suppose. while get
some water You might loosen her
dress" IT was all that could think Of.
Miss Tabor knelt to the work with
out word, and made of across the
meadow to the pool, running at my
best speed.
In moment was back again and
dashed what little water my hat still
held over the twitching, yellow face.
The eyelids fluttered and lack-luster
eyes looked into mine. The woman
gasped and sat up.
That is very dangerous thing to
do, young man." The voice beneath it's
severity OF tone was softly unctuous
and vaguely Latin "A very dangerous
thing, indeed. Sudden shock has killed
us many times. That Is well known"
Miss Tabor looked at her In pity.
Evidently the woman was still out of
her head.
eft you will sit quietly for little
while you will be better" I said.
She nodded, looking curiously about
her. Comprehension was coming gack.
She took out a crumpled handker-
chief and wiped the water from her
face.
What on earth are we to do now"
Miss Tabor whispered. eve must do
something, for they are expecting me
home already" She glanced at the
little watch at her wrist. But don't
see how we can leave this poor woman
here all by herself"
mo, I don't see how we can" I
answered, "but perhaps she can walk.
Ill ~