Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-09-23
ried is a young man marred."

ried is a young man marred."
It was SO long since any one had
cared to talk nonsense to Stanton, not
to mention airily teasing him, that he
caught his breath in sheer astonish-
ment. And then tAgling, human
warmth and sense OF c0mradship sue
ceeded. 1t was as If he had been liv-
Ing in a lonely, silent room. when un-
expectedly some one opened the door
and entered.
I'm too busy he retorted only, but
his tone conveyed no rebuke.
They walked on down the room and
out into the train shed. They were
almost at the train itself, when Floyd
stopped.
Some one is calling YOU" he signi-
fed.
Stanton turned, and found pant
ing, biack-gowned young woman be-
hind him.
'My mistress babe me ask you to
wait. sir" she apologized.
'Your mistress?"
She stepped aside, and he saw tall.
fair-haired girl. gowned with finish
ed richness in a motor costume OF
pale-tan silk, who advanced with
leisurely grace toward them.
Miss Carlisle, sir" supplemented
the maid.
There is no need for you to 60"
Stanton checked, as Floyd moved to
continue on his way. Stay here"
He was obeyed without comment.
The maid respectfully withdrew few
PAGES, when her mistress came up.
| what a place to meet man OF,
gasolene!'' greeted Valerie Carlisle In
her low, assured tones. "Or are you
also in distress, Mr.. Stanton, and
forced to prosaic train travel?"
Her manner was that of one meet
ing an ordinary acquaintance, she held
out her hand, in its miniature tan
gauntlets, with perfect ease. No one
could have guessed how unconvention-
al and slight had been their introduc-
ton.
~ am going to Massachusetts," Stan
ton answered as compOsedly.
"To Massachusetts? But so are we!
At least, we had everything arranged
to motor out to our country-place, un-
til twenty minutes ago our chauffeur
was taken violently Ill. Now suppose
we must go by train" she broke the
sentence, her large brown eyes sweep
ing Floyd with a deliberate question
and scrutiny.
miss Carlisle, Mr.. Floyd, whom you
saw beside me for many hours at the
Beach motordrome," Stanton made
the presentation.
Her face cleared swiftly, he could
have said it was relief which shot
across her expression.
"Your mechanician? Is it possible?
You also are going to Lowell, MT.
Floyd?'
"Yes. since my next work is there"
Floyd replied, unsmiling and laconic.
1t was evident he and Miss Carlisle dis
liked each other at sight.
She turned from him indifferently.
''Mr Stanton, am going to make
you selfish invitation. Our place Is
about seventy-f1ve miles from New
York; will you not try our new motor
car and give me the honor OF being
driven there by you? You could go
on to Lowell with us tomorrow morn
ing, or, If you insisted, finish the jour
|ney by TRAN after dinner"
Amazed, Stanton looked at her. Once
again he mentally asked himself what
she could want of him.
THANK you; have arranged to take
this train" he declined.
Decidedly"
Decidedly, Miss Carlisle
She bent her head ,patting her small
tan shoe on the platform. She was
even more handsome than his night
glimpse of her had shown, with an
|ivory-tinted, cultivated beauty whose
one defect was coldness.
"Of course, can not urge YOU" she
slowly reloined. But stroll back to
the depot with me, pray; had some
thing to say"
my train" he began.
"Is my train also. since you will not
take me In the motor-car.We have time
enough; inquired OF the conductor,
a moment ago."
Floyd bowed and stepped aboard the
train, leaving the two to walk back to-
gether, followed by the maid
II wanted to ask you Of the race"
Miss Carlisle said, when they were
quite at the end OF the long platform.
The speech remained unfinished.
There was a shouted order, the cough
of the locomotive mingled with the
ring and jangle Of tightening couplings,
and the Lowell express pulled out Of
the shed. Stanton wheeled with an
ejaculation. but halted without at
tempting useless pursuit
"How very unfortunate" mIrmured
Miss Carlisle, putting aside her tan
silk wells. How very stupid of the
conductor"
Stanton turneA from The departing