Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-05-14


honest to God" he had never meant
to shoot. He was so cringing and con.
science-stricken that Matt could not
reproach him. He accepted his hand
instead, and told him to shut up. Lets
get to town." he added, beset by a
grinding anxiety. 81 have to know
If anything has happened to Miss
Marshall" .,-
In fever of Impotence. and stag
gering like drunkard, he drove them
into the automobile and commanded
.ctor to make haste. &" ,@
Hurry, hurry, hurry" he cried. in an
evaporation of suspense. 'The cars
good for a mile minute, and, by
God, she has to do it," $500.
CHAPTER XVIII. a
There was no news of the runaways
tin they reached Main street; 1t was
in turmoil, and knots OF people were
gathered in front of the shops, talk
ing excitedly A posser-by informed
them that there had nearly been bad
accident. "a man and girl In horse
back, going like the. wind, and my!
if there wasn't scurry to clear the
way. Been going yet If hay wagon
hadn't pulled square acrost and
brought them up all standing"
But nobody hurt?" asked Matt, full
of dread. 49,. 49,.
NAV! But they we're lathered to
beat the band, and 1t was wonder
nobody was killed. The old gentleman,
he give the driver dollar; patted his
horse a bit, and then went on like
nothing had happened"
And the young LADY,
"Oh, she went along. too, though
her hair was down her back and she
looked ready to drop"
Matt breathed a sigh Of relief; and
after verifying the report from another
witness, begged the mulatto to
take him home. He was glad to creep
in and hide himself in his room. Terri
bly, tired, terribly Inundated, the first
thing he did was to gaze at his face
in the glass. But no trace remained
Of the whip, except a slight discolora-
ton on the forehead. Here was an
other cause for thankfulness, for he
dreaded lest he might be marked for
days and be condemned to an ignomi-
NOUS seclusion. "
He spent the afternoon in bed, un-
loss to know what to do. Chris was
further from him now than she had
been in Washington; to meet her
again would be almost impossible; to
write was to incur the risk. almost the
certainty of his letter being intercept
ted and what could he say If he
did write? Only that he had failed,
and he had already told her that
There was no way out; no solution;
he could see nothing but deep-water
ship and an eternal farewell. "' .
After supper that night he was told
there was lady outside in a buggy
asking for him. He ran out barehead-
ed, not daring to think it was Chris,
yet unable to conceive how it could
he any one else. He was in a fevor
Eof expectation: If not Chris. could
It, possibly me Mrs. Crowther2 What
other woman could be seeking him?
But it was neither. There was a glim-
mer of spectacles, and he looked up
at thin, shallow countenance that
reminded him OF Miss Gibbs "a mid
dle.aged woman, plainly and poorly
dressed, similarly faded, and with the
same aspect of quiet decision.
She eyed him searchingly, and beg
ged to know If he were Mr.. Broughton.
On his replying that he was she hand
ed him a note. He read 1t by the light
of the lantern on the dash, deciphering
the penciled writing with difficulty.
my Darling: 4a..". @a
81 am sending you this by my Swiss
maid Flexner, whom don't trust too
much. She will tell you what l have
tracted that can not write It, though
have tried twice. am at the end Of
my courage and everything, and II
we don't snatch at our happiness now
we shall lose It for ever. 1t was wick
ed of him to strike you. Wicked,
wicked, wicked; Let Flexner do all
the talking till you understand. Don's
think she is devoted, it's because I
promised her 1000 dolls, and that is a
fortune In her, country, where I sup
pose she will settle down and yodel
for the rest of her days. She is very
sharp, so be cautious Oh, il could
only talk to you myself, but love you,
and she will show you how much.
Adieu.
Chris"
"P. S. When I shall have paid her the
500 she insists on in advance ! shall
have eighty-two dollars left
Matt pondered a moment, and then
inquired: "You are F1exner?"
Eyes, sir" ,... -. .... .r......
"Will you please give me your mes
sage?'
The woman hesitated; moved in her
seat: and then replied in low voice:
Had We not better move away from
the gate--people may see US here?"
Matt assented, and walked beside
the buggy as 1t was slowly driven be-
yond Mrs. sattanes, stopping oppo-
site vacant lot. He kept reminding
himself that this FlexDer was Every
sharp; also that 'she was not to be
trusted too much" He was stirred
and uneasy and in a state Of suppress
sed excitement. Something was on
foot; something vital and peremptory;
he was devoured to learn what it was.
"My young lady wishes to do a very
foolish thing said F1exner with dis
approving pursuing of her mouth.
Insists on 1t like the spoiled child she
is. In my country we would lock her