Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-30

poOplo We AoII OcHAnu uS III tHo sono
torium."
"You got letter about Them" said
Nancy. II saw the postmark, and
opened 1t, because thought you would
want me to. 1t was from Doctor May
hew, and he says he has kept his prom.
Use to you and broken up the place. 1t
was written on steamer paper, and
came back by the pilot boat. Mrs.
Lathrop has come over here four or
five times to inquire about you, and
l read 1t to her" Nancy laughed.
"She hopes that he has eloped with
Mrs. Olsen. She said 1t would serve
them both right And now, Mason,
you mustn't talk any more, and must
wet your bandages."
lay quietly while she fitted In and
out of the room, lovely little vision.
seriously bent on her ministrations.
She did not touch the bandage at my
shoulder, but moistened those about
my hands with something delightfully."-
cool and refreshing.
Just as she was finishing her work
heard the drumming Of an approach
ing motor-car, and lay contentedly lis
tening to it, thinking of that last
strange ride we had taken together.
It did not even stir my surprise that
the car apparently came to stop be-
fore our gate; but Nancy left the room.
and I heard her going to the front
door. Presently there came sudden
sound Of mems voices In the hall be-
low. Then steps sounded on the stairs.
and big, fresh-faced, young fellow
came into the room, followed by a fig
ure in dust-coat and motor goggles,
with his cap still pulled down firmly
on his head. Last of all came Nancy.
why, Mr.. Ogilby" said, forget
ting in my surprise his wish to remain
unknown.
Il felt his need of an outing" said
Mr.. Ogilby, "and wanted to see with
my own eyes how you were getting
on, so brought the doctor down In
my car found motoring SO pleasant
when made the trip to Winford that
as soon as got back to the city I
bought car of my own"
Nancy changed color little, and
stood with her hands clasped at her
breast, gesture which already knew
meant that she was troubled or puz-
zled. But the doctor had come to my
bedside, and already was taking the
wet bandages from my hands.
"Glad to see you 80 we'll this morn
ing" he said, briefly. This Is fine.
this is fine Mrs. Ellsworth, would
like to give you some further direc-
tions about the case" He rapidly re-
placed the bandages; and with a smile
over her shoulder at me, Nancy left
the room with him.
Mr.. Ogilby drew up chair beside
the bed, and divesting himself OF dus-
ter cap and glasses, sat down beside
me.
"Well,' he said, you did have q
beautiful time. and wounded, scalded
and all, envy you. You must tell me
all about it some day; for am closely
interested, and, as told you before,
adventures at my time of life must
Of necessity be for the most part vica
rious. 1t may interest you to know
though, that have given up my tene
ment room; even there found my Sc
clusion almost too monastic. 1t Ia
right after all that man should take
his place in the world and now, thanks
to you, I am able to take It,"
"To me?" I asked, In some surprise,
with the recurrent doubt If he were.
after all, perfectly right in his mind,
eyes, to you,' said Mr.. Ogilby
well, my dear, l am glad that every.
thing is going SO well with YOU
This last to Nancy; for she had
come back alone into the room, and
now stood gazing wide-eyed at the lit
tie man who had risen to greet her.
"You-you--" she faltered, you
are"
quite 80, my DEAR" said Mr.. Ogilby
| 6 A e. toe
| To my utter surprise Nancy gave q
little inarticulate cry. and flew into
the arms outstretched to welcome her
where he held her fast, kissing heI
heartily and giving her little, affec
tionate pats as she sobbed happily
upon his shoulder. Presently Nancy
raised her head.
docs MASON know" she asked
doubtfully, as II she herself was hard
| ly sure. Then quietly, "Oh, we must
be careful Of him, for he isn't strong
yet"
mo; Mason doesn't know" Mr.
Ogilby chuckled, turning to me, but
still keeping tight hold Of Nancy'z
hand, "but l don't think it will hurt
him to know. Your memory is not SO
good as mine, young man. Do you
| by any chance, remember q line, MID
dle-aged gentleman who sat next you
on bench in Washington Square, a
gentleman who l am ashamed to say
may have been doing little?"
Eyes, I haid; II knew had seen
you somewhere before; and you gave
me paper, the paper by which l first
found Nancy"
Quite So" said Mr.. Ogilby dryly
"but I did not know about that Per
sonal' notice then, even though that
Lexington Avenue stable was my own
/ had been reading another piece OF
news which was really very interest.
! ing. It was my own obituary. You
may possibly have noticed it, Jared
Bond, dead after five years Of mild
insanity The notice omitted to state
that had daughter Nancy
"a daughter" I gasped.
eyes. my son." the old gentleman
said complacently. Il think you will
find me very companionable father
in-law."
"But how" Nancy and I com
menced in a breath