Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-05-27

Z ri, 1911.
Lawrence appeared casually enough
and was warmly welcomed. Nan, the
motherless, had always loved her sil-
ver.haired neighbor, and Terry was
devoted. The old gentlewoman knew
the world and It's ways. She quietly,
but presistently cultivated Miss Leitn
Story, who was perfectly polite, put
not over-friendly. Terry In some
vague way, was aware that his time
was being taken up, that he was pc
ing interferred with.
Virginia rather wistfully watched
things as was her wont. She saw
Mrs. Stanton. Terry's mother, Peters,
always somebody, about the new girl.
She herself kept In the background
She would seek no man, not even
Terry, to whom her heart reached
out in spite Of herself.
Things went on, quite outwardly,
but In rather strained way. Nan
was much outdoors, often alone IN
her canoe on the little lake not lar
away. One morning she went out
very early. before the sun was we'll
up. Rounding little point she came
across Terry in another boat, his
arms full of water lilies, half open.
He greeted her In the old boy-way.
Hello! Earl9 bird you are! l
came out to get Miss Story some Ill
ies-she doesn't have 'em where she
lives"
Nan gave q glance at the banks.
but Terry answered her glance.
"Oh, she isn't with me! I sup
pose she's still asleep she isn't
much for exercise. And Nan! hope
you won't overdo it. Yesterday !
saw you out there in that hot sun
on the links, bare-headed. You'll
get sunstroke!"
The girl looked at him in puzzle
ment. She had never worn a hat,
save under threat. She had lived In
the sun all her life. And SO had he!
This was Leith Story's influence, OF
course! Another thing-she felt his
strained attitude toward her. For
a moment he looked at her in the
old way, then. suddenly took up his
paddle.
II didn't mean to intrude on you,"
he said, and was of before she could
answer that she was very glad
he was there. The occurrence, small
in itself, hurt her.
A few days after this in the late
afternoon she was coming In from
the links and met Terry. For a
wonder, Leith Story, usually too lazy
for effort, was walking with him. She
was bare-headed under her rose
colored parasol, her soft curls pinned
crown-wise upon her small head, her
feet in high-heeled white slippers.
Nan greeted them in passing. for
the first time with dislike for the
other girl, so nonchalantly sure OF
the man with her. Nan gave look
at the sky-it was clouding.
Don't go too far or you'll get
caught II a storm comes up"
Terry, intent on the girl with him,
made vague answer. He was a
little troubled He had asked Leith
to walk, and she had consented list.
lessly. .1
Eyes, anything to get away from
the everlasting old ladies!" she had
answered. "Of- course, your mother
lis a dear, but one doesn't always
want older people. don't under
stand them, for one thing"
He did not like this. They walked
along talking, dawling. Before
they knew it, the sky suddenly be-
came very black. He turned back IN
stantly, and Terry tried to hurry
her but her high heels interferred
And she was little fretful. Also
she was visibly afraid. There was
literally no shelter In sight, and the
nearest out-building Of the Stanton
place was nearly half mile away
Rain began to fall. thunder rolled
and a fierce flash OF lightning cut
the clouds. She put her hands over
her eyes, but he took her arm and
tried to help her on. supporting her
III we hurry we won't get very
wet. he soothed, and taking of his
white flannel coat, put 1t about her
You see, trees are not q safe place
| in a thunder. storm. must get you
home some way; don't be afraid. II
was careless of me not to heed what
Nan said.'
"Nan-that tomboy;;" she said IT.
ritably. "But she happened to know
for once!"
Terry's defence of Nan rushed al.
most to his lips-he suddenly loved
her boyish outdoor traits. 1t was
better than this foolish helplessness
He would have liked to shake Leith
Story.
The rain was beginning to come
down smartly now, and the road was
slippery. She chung to him and ne
held the ridiculous rose-colored par
asol over her
Then sudden crash OF thunder
made her scream and hold tight tc
him. He tried to get her to go on
but in vain. And then rescue came
Around a corner came little
covered phaeton, old Dawson driv.
ing. Nan, mackintoshed. rubber
booted, got out. smiling, level-headed
II knew you'd be caught came
after Miss Leith.' She aided Terry
in getting the girl in beside the
coachman, wet and complaining, hel
hair uncurled and beginning te
l - II - al Lee