Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-30
is annearance occasioned

prophet whose false predictions had
led Merritt to don his Oldest and
shabbiest suit that morning and, for
getting past favors in the shape OF
complimentary tickets, would prob
ably have wound up by cursing Bay.
locks propensity for securing. his
friends opinion Of every new play
But Merritt only writhed in the
agonies of self-consciousnes while
the first act dragged through. With
the fall of the curtain he would be
able to slip out without attracting
undue attention. That prospect was
the one oasis in Merits desert OF
anguish.
But his humiliation was not yet
complete. Even as his eyes were
fixed with grim determination on the
stage, he became painfully conscious
of the stir caused by several late ar.
rivals in the box. An almost immed
lately he recognized the voice Of the
girl he loved. Two weeks had
passed since Amy had sent him from
her presence and with scornful words
forbidden him to return; but Merritt
had not ceased to hope, and now
with the knowledge Of her closeness
all thought of the majority was lost
in nervous dread of what she would
think.
Amy" Merritt's acutely sensitive
ears caught the low-spoken words In
voice which he recognized as be
longing to Amy's cousin Nell. 81
wonder what James Merritt is doing
here, and in those clothes hope
he has not taken to drink"
There was no answer In the voice
which Merritt at once longed and
dreaded to hear. A facetious remark
followed in masculine tone tina,
made him grit his teeth. Nell's
brother-in-law, lately arrived from
the west, had been the cause, albeit
the unconscious one, of the quarrel
and the knowledge that he was In
Army's good graces while he, Merritt
sat an outcast scarcely three feet
away did not tend to improve Mer
ritt's state of mind.
When he entered the box Merritt
had taken q seat on the side nearest
the stage, consequently it was ar
easy manner to keep his back turned
to the other occupants. He was
Tuning between a desire to go home
and a grim resolution not to give the
other man clear field. At the end
Of the intermission, during which
Merritt had committed his program
to memory, he tried once more to fiz
his attention on the stage. But the
play was intolerably dull and the hum
Of happy voices behind him tried his
endurance to the limit How could
she sit there and exchange banter with
that young fool? In an extremity a
mouse has been known to show fight
and Merritt, although he was good
natured, was far from mouse-like. A
sudden anger took possession Of him
He turned, and the look he bent or
Amy was as ferocious as his extremely
mild blue eyes were capable of ex
pressing. To his amazement she met
it with gracious nod on the head.
IT was wondering whether yor
would ever turn she murmuret
softly, as she beckoned him to hel
side.
It was bewildering, but Merritt
managed to retain his senses and tt
bow to Cousin Nell and her brother
in-law as he made haste to take the
chair which the latter had vacated In
his favor.
"Oh, james," Amy's tone ex
pressed the deepest contrition. %
didn't think you cared so much"
mot knowing how much was meant
Merritt contented himself with gazing
rapturously into Amy's eyes instead
Of making verbal answer.
NO." reflectively, II didn't think
you would become desperate" And
indeed, only girl in love would have
suspected Merritt of such thing. :"
II it hurts me dreadfully to see yol
in such a state" she finished tremu
lousy.
"Well," Merritt conceded modestly
III confess l was pretty wrathy, bu
I didn't know l showed It,"
ooh! I mean the other She
paused uncertainty.
"Yes?" prompted Merritt encour
agingly. Never mind, dear" as sht
still hesitated. 1T is enough for me
that there was no ground for my
jealousy Of Bob, and to know tina
/ am forgiven. But / wish our rec
onciliation had found me in more
appropriate attire with compre
lhensive wave of his hand.
James," Amy broke in eagerly
don't you know that it was YOU
forlorn condition that first opened m!
eyes to the desperate state of you
mind? Had you appeared happy
would never have repented of m!
cruelty"
Merritt determined to withhold ex
plantations; therefore, his only an
swer was sigh.
She continued to eye him anxiously
"Well, dearest?" he encouraged
softly.
James" very timidly, II am afrait
you will be angry, but won't fee
safe unless you promise you will neve
again touch liquor.
Merritt gave the desired promise
but not without secret qualm.
| "And now, are you satisfied, dear?'
he queried anxiously.
eyes," breathed Amy happily. "Bu
Just the same we are never going t
have another quarrel.
BENEFITS BAD DREAM.
Nv lanes William Jackson.