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

to tho other on the slightest prOvOca-
rom The Stars and Stripes Forever
yerbeer and other deceased musical
d is allowed to spray cultured audi
nished seventies. After person has
ces Of several defunct composers who
were in the flesh, he will look upon the
arks with new respect.
my brother would be 80 pleased ia
make the unprofessional acquaintance
Of his jailer."
II think said the doctor, appearing
In the doorway, that Mr.. Ellsworth
has talked quite enough, and that you
and !, Mr. Bond, had better be on our
way back to the city; particularly az
Mrs. Ellsworth has some news for her
husband. which think 1t only fair she
should have the pleasure Of telling
him In private"
And it's really so?" said Mr.. Bond,
getting to his feet.
Yes said the doctor. II think we
may safely say 1t Is So"
Mr.. Bond turned at the doorway.
I'm selling the old house." he said.
and getting another much more cheer
full. and with q pipe organ In 1t and
the best private aviary in America.
Nobody's asked me for my blessing
yet. but you have 1t, my children. I
am coming back again tomorrow or
the next day When Mason is strong
enough want to have business talk
with him. Good-by, Nancy, my dear.
You have the best thing in the world,
love and good husband"
AS her father talked, Nancy had sat
as l have seen children sit at festi-
val. supremely happy, but half dazed
by the very completeness and multipli-
city OF their happiness; for this father
OF hers, now alive and well, even viva
ciously humorous, had been for years
only memory to her, memory and
sorrowing anxiety. To have him so
| suddenly restored, to have the remem-
bered dear one given back, not as she
had been taught to think Of him. but
as she recollected him and had last
seen him, seemed q miracle scarcely
credible. From time to time her fin
gers would touch him softly with lit
tie familiar caressing gesture had
come already to recognize, a gesture
full of tenderness, as II she reached
out to assure herself Of the tangible
reality of the loved one. Held close
to his breast she studied with enrap-
tured eyes the kind, old face SO long
held reminiscently dear. turning them
only at last that they might seek out
mine. and share with me this new
found, half-incredible. overwhelming
10Y. Strangely enough she let him 60
almost in silence. as II by old custom
there was no need of spoken words
T, between them.
When he had gone she stood looking
down at me, and together we listened
until the drone OF the automobile died
away in the distance; then. quite SIM
ply, Nancy turned, and coming over to
the bed. knelt on the floor beside me.
II think" she said, mo one has ever
been as happy as am. 1t was happi-
ness enough to have you, Mason, but
now am so glad for you; for know
how foolishly it has troubled you. You
know, dear heart, that when he shot
you, your hands were frightfully scald-
ed. When the surgeon came he said
that there would have to be an opera
ton, that, II you were to get we'll, little
bits Of healthy skin must be planted
on the burned surface. Mrs. Lathrop
and both offered ours, and thought
1t would be so sweet to be able to help
you 9 little that way. But the doctor
"OuAu AoVC uOuc VI IL. re SalQ LQaC.
as you had fever, the grating would
be very difficult process, and that
the only sure way Of success was to
take little pieces from various parts
Of your own body. And he did Ii.
Mason, oh, the thinnest pieces in the
world; SO that 1t did not seem to me
as II It could possibly do any good.
But 1t did, Mason; your hands are half
we'll already, and miracle has hap
pened The doctor wants to write q
paper about 1t. They may, perhaps.
be little SCARED, but your hands.
dear love. are going to be as you would
want them, as white as other mem 8. =
A little sturdy breeze was rustlins
the branches outside the window. Il
ratified at the shutters and then glee.
fully tore one of them open, letting in
to the room flood OF the late NAV
morning sunshine, that shone in glory
on Nancy's bent head, lighting her
tear.bright eyes like summer heavens,
In spite OF her half-fearful protest i
raised my bandaged hands and drew
her close, until her lips touched mine.
| (THE END.)