Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-04
MeMAN n the.
BROWN DERBY B
&
WtLlS HASTINGS
~ Author Of ce1o
The Professors Mystery
(oersh,.l9llby BobbIlerr1 O.

BVV IS OVSSoVs y s/SJ
| (oersht.l9|lby Bobb,1era O.
CHAPTER Kit Continued
For two days had forgotten my
hands, and this sudden reminder
startled me, bringing back with
rush, as 1t did, the accustomed pain
of my affliction; and yet this time a
new thought and feeling mingled with
the bitter old one; for glanced down
at my gloved hands and remembered
how strong they were, with what a
compensation, poor though 1t was Of
unusual physical power they were en-.
dowed. and the reflection heartened
me. would bring my purpose to the
level Of my physical efficiency, and
matching sheer strength with sheer de-.
termination, knew that no world as
small as this could hide my love away
from me, nor him, who had taken and
frightened her, from the inevitable
terror of my grasp. In all my life l
c. I'D remember putting forth my
strength but once, and then 1t was
my boys strength.
The picture flashed grimly before me
now, as I sat gazing at my gloved
hads, standing on the instant clear and
distinct before my mental vision, as
such pictures will. 1t had happened
at school. when was second-former
and fourteen years old, think. I was
a newcomer, and, as I have said, not
popular. One OF the sixth formers, a
great meddlesome fellow and the ter
ror of the smaller boys, had stolen into
my room at night, to drag me out to
the hazing that most new boys, and
all unpopular ones, received. was
asleep, and he had pinoned me so
close and so suddenly, that awoke
with start, and yet was unable to
strike; but in the darkness and in the
confusion my fingers met his throat
and only frightened there. 1t seemed to
me. for moment. Yet he had fallen
across me in the dark, with twitching
body and breath that came SO rasping
ly that. as grew wider awake, it filled
me with concern, and had struggled
from beneath him and made light
His eyes were half open, half shut, and
his face strange and blotchy. rem
ember that called the master Of our
floor, that there was a scurrying of
feet and a general lighting of lights
and silly confusion.
The doctor had come and spoken of
"crushed bones in the throat" He was
around again in week or SO; but only
the fact that it had happened in my
own room saved me from expulsion
could get no one to believe that I had
but gripped him for moment, when
l. was stupid with sleep. But It was
the last physical trouble l had in
school, and had never used my
strength to the utmost since that
time 1t had grown, knew, but l
never thought much about it; my
hands had made me shy. and though
had hoped in vain for friends
at least had never had an enemy
never had an enemy until now; but
hate had come into my life almost
hand in hand with love.
/ looked up to find Mrs Lathrop
staring at me across the table. She
colored, but kept her eyes bravely
upon mine.
IF was you, Mr.. Ellsworth" she
said, I should 60 little easy. That
doctor deserves good beating right
now, but it won't help either you or
anybody else to kill him.
kill him." questioned.
Yes she said; isn't that what
you were thinking about? You have
been sitting there for the last five min.
utes looking like battle, murder and
sudden death"
II don't wonder the doctor thought
you observant, Mrs. Lathrop," said
TITS all right, though I'll remember
not to kill him, although 1t will be
pretty hard, once get my mands on
him"
"Well, 1 hope you do give him good
scare"
"You have asked me why did not
take my gloves of, Mrs. Lathrop. I
keep them on because people find my
hands unpleasant"
Mrs. Lathrop smiled incredulously.
do just as you like" she said, but
I shouldn't be afraid I should think
any such thing if were YOU"
stripped one glove away, because
I had had enough of the subject. To
my surprise her face showed no flicker
of establishment.
"Well, take off the other" she saia
they don't trouble me any. What a
queer young man you are! Do you
expect woman of my age to faint be.
cause your hands are little marked !?
Some folks have stick-out ears, but
they don't go around in ear tabs"
took off my other glove.
when did Mrs Ellsworth give you
the note?' l asked, after another lit.
tie pause.
This morning, just before the doc
tor came back for them. The nurse
was looking at her watch and then she
got up and went over to the window
to look up the road. 1t was on one of
these window trips she made, and
while she had her back turned, that
the young lady slid the note into my
hand. l was going through the room,
when she stopped me with her finger
on her lips l smiled and kept quiet
because, as 1 say, whether she was
right in her mind or not, liked her
And when stopped she put one hand
up to her hair and drew out that note
which was all rolled up like pencil
II a gentleman called Mason Ellis