Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-13

the night stole into his blood. Be-
meath them, the brook murmured
drowsily In it's dark bed. Beyond,
stretched the meadows. and, far
away, the woods. Before them, and
behind them, ran the rutted road, hard
and cleaning. Over them, the moon
showered it's profusion of silver beams
Within them were-wishes.
The last plank was crossed" Now!"
Fran cried breathlessly, what did you
wish?" Her body was quivering, her
face glowing.
THAT l might succeed" Abbott an
swered.
obi" said Fran My! That was
like cold breath. Just wishing to be
great. and famous, and useful. and
rich!" ..
Abbott laughed as Alphabetically as
If the road were not calling them away
from solitudes. Well, what did you
wish, Franz"
THAT you might always be my
friend, while we're together, and after
we part"
ut doesn't take a new bridge to
make that come true" he declared.
She looked at him solemnly. DO
you understand the responsibilities Of
being a friend? A friend has to as.
sumo obligations, just as when man 8
elected to Office, he must represent his
party and his platform"
"rll stand for you!" Abbott cried
earnestly.
Twill you? Then I'm going to tell
you all about myself-ready to be
surprised? Friends ought to know
oh DtI Tn, hn
eighteen years old. and in the second
place am a professional lion-trainer,
and in the third place my father is
but friends don't have to know each
others fathers. Besides, maybe that's
enough to start with
YES" said Abbott, 1T is" He
paused, but she could not guess his
emotions, for his face showed nothing
but a sort Of darkness. 81 should
like to take this up seriatim. You
tell me you are eighteen years old?"
And have had lots of experience"
Your lion-training: has it been
theoretical, Or"
"Mercenary," Fran responded: real
lions, real bars, real spectators, real
pay-days"
But. Fran said Abbott helplessly,
Il don't understand ..
"But you're going to, before I'm done
with you. I tell you, I'm show girl.
a lion-tamer, Jungler. I'm the the
famous Fran Nonpareil, and my car
nival company has showed in most of
the towns and cities of the United
States. guess you feel funny to have
such a celebrated person talking to
you, but in ordinary life, great people
aren't different. It's when I'm in my
blue silks and gold stars and crimson
sashes, kissing my hands to the audi
ence, that I'm the real princess"
Though she spoke lightly, she was
we'll aware Of the shock she had i'm
parted. For time her face had never
looked 50 elfish. but in the silence that
ensued, the light faded from her eyes,
Abbott was unable to analyze his
real emotions, and his one endeavor
was to hide his perpleXity. He had
always treated her as if she We're
older than the town s. Nosed. hence
the revelation Of her age did not 50
much matter; but lion-training was so
remote from conventions that it
seemed in way almo uncanny. 1t
seemed to isolate Fran. to set her
coldly apart I. ON the people of his
world.
I'm going home" Fran said ABRUPT
f f1Gff1m RcuYBK1, &c hrdlu mfw
ly.
He followed her mechanically, too
absorbed in her revelation to think Of
the cards left forgotten on the bridge
From their scene of good wishes, Fran
went first, head erect, arms swinging
defiantly; Abbott followed, not know.
ing in the least what to say, or even
what to think.
The moon had not been laughing at
them long, before Fran looked back
over her shoulder and said, as if he
had spoken, Still, I'd like for you to
know about it."
He quickened his step to regain her
side, but was oppressed by an odd
sense of the abnormal.
although she added indistinctly,
lit doesn't matter"
They walked on in silence until,
after prolonged hesitation. he told her
quietly that he would like to hear all
she felt disposed to tell.
She looked at him steadily: Can
you dilute few words with the water
I'll speak the words, if you have the
imagination.'
AS he looked into her eyes. all sense
Of the abnormal disappeared. II have
the imagination, Fran he exclaimed
impulsively, eff it is your life
'In spite of the lions?" she asked,
almost sternly.
Abbott rested hand upon each Of
her shoulders, and studied her face.
The moonlight was lost In the depths
of the unfaltering eyes, and there
came upon him surging tide as from
the depths of the unknown, sweeping
away such artificial barriers as the
mind prepares against all great shocks
or surprises.
"You needn't tell me a word Alb
fbott said, removing his hands. /
know all that one need know; it's writ
ten in your face, story of sweet in
nocence and brave patience"
But I want you to know
Good" he replied with sudden
smile. Tell the story, then; If you
were an Odyssey, you couldn't be too
long