Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-08-24

great" he braathed Perhaps her
fluffy femininity made a stronger ap-
peal because Of the fact that khaki
and camping outfits were the rule
among the girls at the mountain re-
sort where he was spending his vaca-
ltion.
such loneliness and such an af-
fiictton!" he said. Every once in
a while, forgetful Of the fact that she
could not hear, Maldon broke out
with remark, but she paid no heed.
unless she happened to be glancing
that way. then, she would give
brave. pathetic little smile.
Dropping, sifver-leaved poplars bent
over the waters edge and the two
seemed alone together on the heart
OF the lake. Over all was that peculiar
silence, which, in lonely places, pre-
codes the sunset.
All too soon. for Maldon, they
gained the opposite shore, and re-
gretfully he helped her to alight. He
started to lead the way in the dlrec-
tion Of the settlement OF Glen Echo.
but she shook her head and started
down winding path leading among
the pines When she had gone sew
eral rods she paused, and, standing
on tiptoes with butterfly motion,
placed one hand on his arm, the
other against his broad chest, and
touched his forehead with a soft.
light kiss. Then she gathered up her
fluffy skirts and ran like some wild
creature OF the forest and disap-
peared among the trees before the
surprised man realized what had hap
pened. In moment he plunged
after her, but all his eager, earnest
search proved Ruthless. The girl
seemed gone from the face OF the
earth. Forgetful that she could not
hear, he called and implored her to
come back. Until darkness fell he
searched, then retraced his steps back
to Glen Echo, but nothing had been
seen or heard of girl who answered
his description and he was obliged
to recross the lake with the mystery
unsolved.
Next day he returned. and for sew
eral succeeding days he made him
self q nuisance with his attempts to
find some trace of her. With q
Young mans usual fear Of ridicule,
he said not word about 1t to the
other boarders at the hotel where he
was staying. Jean McNarth, life
long chum, alone was taken into his
confidence.
Thouth sympathetic and interested
to satisfying degree, she could offer
no solution.
maybe she was j water sprite, or
spirit Of the lake." she laughingly
suggested; but promised to lend him
her aid.
It was not until the days had
heightened into a week that trace
of her was found.
."The first of the week there was a
bunch Of college girls having house
party at the old Clemmons place, on
the other side of the hotel" remarked
Sam Clovis, the Sandoon postmaster.
They're all likely lookin', and the
young woman you describe may be IN
Itte party; but judgin' from the clat-
ter they make when they come for
their mail. they amt none OF EN-
deaf and dumb"
"You say they were here the first
of the week; are they gone now?'
J demanded Maldon.
"Gone for awhile Another girl
on the other side Of the mountain
invited them to finish out the week
with her on the ranch. But I'M
derstand the whole bunch are comm
back Saturday night to attend
the hop at the hotel whore you're
stoppin'."
No further news was to be OBJ
tanned from the old man. so Maldon
was obliged to possess his soul In
patience till the night OF the dance.
/ 80 M a
to me; her eyes and her smile make
up for all.
Saturday night he was on the
hotel veranda when large car drove
Up and six girls alighted. They made
n pleasing picture, but with their long
coats and enveloping wells, he could
not distinguish one from the other.
He stationed himself where he could
see them come from the dressing
room. and as he waited he felt the
reaction from his keyed-up hopes.
Probably am mistaken, and she
isn't in this crowd. It II unlikely
that I shall ever see her again. oh,
why did meet her, only to lose her
so scor?'' He glanced out ut the
happy couples strolling up and down
in the soft summer night, then up
at the moon which, to him. looked
furnished and dull. "The light seems
to have gone out" he said.
So preoccupied was he, that he
looked up with start at the sound
Of Jean McNarth's voice saying:
Miss Lander, let me present Mr.
Maldon.'' He found himself looking
into the blue eyes Of a lake-idyl girl
It'll let Lillian do her own explain.
ing" mischievously added Jean, and
left them alone together.
s"1 think do owe you an explana-
ton. Mr.. Maldon," laughed Miss
Lander
For moment he stared at her In
blank amazement. "You-you speak :?
he b1untly asked.
'Quite fluently, rye been told" she
gayly responded.
His dazed faculties awoke with
fervor. I'VE cannot talk here with
out interruption. Let US go where II
is more quiet" he suggested, and led