Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-25
CHAPTER XVII.
Shall the Secret BE Told?

Fran had expected ROBERT CinLOn )
return in four or five days. as had
Grace Noir, but secrets that have been
buried for many years are not picked
up in day. However, had the chair
man of the school board returned the
day after his departure, Abbott Ash
ton would have met him at the sta
ton. Twice, In the opinion of Fran,
the young man had failed her by al
lowing Graces mind to flash 20 i'm
portant discoveries along the path OF
his insulated remarks about the
weather. This third test was n ore
equal, since he was to deal with no
Grace Noir-merely with man.
AS Littleburg had only one railroad,
and it a Branch it was not difficult
to meet every train; moreover, Miss
sapphira's hasty notes from her broth
er kept Abbott advised. AT first, Miss
Sapphire said, 1T will be week; !"
later-"Ten days more-and the bust
ness left like this!" Then came the
final bulletin; II may come tomorrow.
Look for me when you see me" 6.
What the secret was that Abbott
must prevent Clinton from divulging,
he did not care to guess; doubtless
the picture OF Gregorys past. with it's
face to the wall might be inscribed,
Some other woman" For surely
Grace Noir. was some other woman.
Having admitted the truth to himself.
he wondered that all the world did
not see-or was it that all the world
needed a Fran to open eyes willfuily
blind?
With these thoughts. Abbott met
the evening train, to see Robert Gin
ton hastily emerge from the solitude
he had endured in the midst Of any.
Robert was In no pacific mood and
when he found himself almost in the
arms Of Abbott, his greeting was
boisterous because impatient at being
stopped Abbott, knowing that Robert
was not ordinarily effusive, thought.
"He has the secret
Robert shook hands without delay
ing progress toward the waiting hack,
bearing Abbott along on waves OF
greeting.
But surely you are not going to
ride." Abbott expostulated.
"Business-very pressing. see you
later"
But I have business with you. Mr..
Clinton. that can't wait. Come, walk
with me to town and I'll explain: it'll
delav you only few minutes.
Like a FESTIVE horse on finding HIM
SELF restrained, Robert Clinton lifted
leg without advancing. ooh. very
we'll" he agreed. SIN fact, I've some
thing important for you. old fellow.
and I'll explain before before the
yes. BEFORE" he ended. turning his
back upon the hack with a smothered
growl.
They penetrated the silent by
streets of the outskirts OF Littleburg.
Robert going as fast as he could drag
his companion, and Abbott walking
as slowly as he could hold back the
other.
LUCKY I was at the station Alb
bott exclaimed, "since you've SOME.
thing to tell me, Bob. What is it,
In thus addressing his old friend rs
"Bob' the young man was officially
declaring that their relationship as
teacher and school director was for
ever at an end, and they stood as man
to man.
Clinton spoke rapidly. with his
wonted bruskness: Guess you know
I'VE been knocking about the country
for the last three or four weeks --saw
a good many old friends--a fellow
can't 20 anywhere without meeting
somebody he knows-curious. isn't It?
Well. I've set an opening for YOU.
You know how sorry am because we
had to plump another teacher on to
your job. but don't you worry il Fran
did hold your hand-iust you keep
your hands in your pockets after this,
when there's danger-Say! I've got
something lots better for you thar
Littleburg. School out in OklahoEIs-
rich-private man behind THE owns
the whole plant, and he's determined
to run it to suit the new ideas. This
rich man-chum of mine-went wes.
bought land, sat on 1t, got up with his
Jeans full Of money. Wants yon 10
come at once"
Abbott was elated. what kind Of
new ideas, Bob?" he asked joyously.
ooh. that impractical nonsense Of
teaching life instead OF books guess
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