Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-07-15
THE vAoA1oND.
BY Phillip kean.

Balfour had intended to propose be-
fore the days trip was over; but his
car, stopped In the middle of dusty
road. When he had tinkered for half
hour, and had brought no results, he
said to the lady OF his heart:
II am afraid cannot do anything.
Will you walk to town with me. or
stay here alone?" :,
1T looks so hot" Louise responded.
lazily ''and I am not afraid. You had
better leave me here while you go and
hunt someone"
"Well, at least, I'll move the car
where the shade will make 1t cooler"
said Balfour. Surely nothing can hap
pen to you while am gone"
"Of course not" Louise answered. (,
She did not feel 80 secure, however,
when her escort disappeared over the
brim OF the hill Leaning back against
her comfortable cushions, she pond
cred over.tl1e situation. It might be an
hour. two hours before Balfour came
back. She was tired and hungry. In a
hamper strapped to the side Of the
car there was food. She was not sure,
however, that she should open It be-
fore Balfour came back.
Suddenly she opened her eyes as a
voice near her said, "Can be Of serv-
ice?"
A tall thin man in shabby clothes
stood close to the car. His hat was
off. and showed his hair curling close
about his white forehead.
mo" Louise said coldly, there is
nothing you can do. Mr.. Balfour has
gone to town for assistance. expect
him back any moment"
He was not rebuffed, however, by
her declination Of his offer. II know
something Of motors" he said. Per
haps I might help out"
He made an examination deity, and
found and repaired the trouble. III
you will let me, I will drive you to
town. he said.
"Oh, no." Louise said, II had better
wait"
The vagabond looked up at the sky.
TITS going to RAIN
In the west the clouds were black.
| AT least you will let me get you to
shelter
Louise looked at him steadily.
Where would you take me?" she
asked.
"You need not be afraid" he. said.
III you please then she consented,
"you may drive me-"
|, Before they had gone half mile
the rain was upon them. flashing In at
all sides.
There's an old barn at the end Of
this lane" the Vagabond said. II
passed It this morning. We might
make run for It."
AS they gained the shelter the storm
burst in all its fury.
WELL" said Louise resignedly. II
don't know whether anybody will ever
find us or not Do you think you could
make run for 1t and get the hamper?
We could have our lunch"
He brought the big basket back and
they sat in the open door and ate of
the good things.
Louise noticed that her companion
had the manners of gentleman. Her
curiosity getting the better of her she
asked, How does it happen that you
are here?"
II like It," he said Then he leaned
toward her and sang to her an air Of
Schubert's: ~ 4
Give to me the life love, .7
Let the love go by me.
Give the jolly heaven above
And the by-way nigh me.
" Bed in the bush with stars to see
Bread ! dip in the river
There is the life for man like me,
There the life forever"
"You have not always lived like
this she said.
mo; back In my boyhood days there
we're school, and college, and some
years of study for a profession But
I couldn't stand tt am rover by
nature"
He spoke of his travels after that,
and she listened, fascinated. Balfour
had never charmed her thus. He
talked of himself, while this man
talked of places, of theories.
When the storm had passed, they
met Balfour struggling back over a
muddy road. He eyed the Vagabond
with suspicion, and glared at Louise,
when at parting she asked her road
side acquaintance to come and see
her
Hes tramp" said Balfour,
sternly.
"He isn't" said Louise
She was sure that he had been mas
querading when he called upon her
several days later, Immediately ar
rayed in evening clothes. When, how
ever, she accused him, he shook his
head. Nov and then ! take to the
road" he said II was not made to
stay in one place"
He came often and as the months
went on Louise found herself torn by
conflicting emotions. Balfour had Of
fered her his hand and fortune. Louise
liked him. The Vagabond, on the other
hand, offered her nothing but his
heart.
II should not have offered you that
he said, except that cannot see you
unhappy as the wife of Balfour can
not promise anything for myself am
a rover by nature; but you shall not
suffer for comforts. and l shall love
you until my dying day
When Louise finally sent Balfour
away and said yes" to the Vagabond
she had many doubts and misgivings
"But l love him. her heart whis-
perde.
AS she planned her simple trous-
eeau ahe Thought roorotf,,rJv ~ tba