Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-20

jam-thief, who for once finds himself
innocent when missing jam Is men,
toned.
She was not convinced by his look
OF guilelessness. "You seem to be car
rying away your books"
81 want to breathe in this June
morning without taking It strained
through window-screens," he ex-
planned.
Miss Sapphire gave something ike
a choked cough, and compressed her
lips. abbott" she said, LOOKING at him
sidewise, please step to the telephone
and call ND Bob-he's at the store
Tell him to leave the clerk in Ncharge
and hitch up and take me for little
drive. I want some of this June morn
ing myself"
Abbott obeyed with alacrity. On his
return, Miss Sapphire said. "Bob's 60
ing to fight for you at the board meet
ing, Abbott. Wen do what we can. and
/ hope you'll help yourself. don't
wish any harm to that Fran-girl. Bob
says I'm always expecting the worst
of people and guess am; but must
say don't expect half as bad as they
turn out"
AS Abbott went down The fragrant
street with it's cool hose-refreshed
pavements, its dangerous shadows
athwart rose bush and picket fence,
its hopeful weeds already peering
through crevices where plank side
walks maintained their worm-eaten
right OF way, he was in no dewy-morn-
ing mood. He understood what those
wise mods had meant and he was in
no frame of mind for such wisdom. He
meant to go far. far away from the
boarding house, from the environment
OF schools and school boards, from Lit
tleburg with It's atmosphere of ridicu-
lous gossip.
OF course he could have gone Just
as far, II he had not chosen the direc-
ton of Blubb's Riffle-but he had to
take some direction. He halted before
he came in sight of the stream; II
Fran had mind to fish with Simon
Jefferson, he would not spoil her
sport.
He found comfortable log where
he might study under the gracious
sky. Across the road, a bill board
Haunted a many-colored advertise
ment, but it did not distract his atten-
tion-it had lost its novelty from over
production. There was to be street
carnival beginning July l. There would
be a fortune teller, lion show. a
snake den, etc. The Fourth OF July
would be the big day. day OF con-
fetti, of fireworks Of riotous mirth
and patriotism-th last word was the
only one on the bill not capitalized.
Abbott studied hard. He did not
learn much-there seemed a bird In
every line.
When he closed his books. scarcely
knowing why, and decided to ramhle,
It was with no intention Of seeking
Fran. Miss Sapphire might have
guessed what would happen, but in
perfect innocence the young man
strolled, seeking a grassy by-road sell
dom used, redolent Of bush. tree. vine
dust laden weed. 1t was road where
the SUN seemed almost stranger; q
road gone to sleep and dreaming OF
the feet OF stealthy Indians. OF noisy
settlers, and skilful trappers. All such
fretful bits of life had the old road
drained into oblivion, and now 1t
seemed to call on Abbott to share
their fate, the fate of the forgotten.
But the road lost its mystic mean
ing when Abbott discovered Fran.
Suddenly it became only road-nay,
it became nothing. 1t seemed that the
sight of Fran always made wreckage
of the world about her.
She was sitting in the Gregory
buggy, but, most surprising OF all
there was no horse between the shafts
no horse was to be seen. anywhere.
Best OF all, no Simon Jefferson was
visible. Fran in the buggy-that was
all. Slow travelling. indeed, even for
this sleepy old road!
mot in hurry. are your
"I've arrived" Fran said. in un.
friendly tone.
Smaller than ever. she anneared,
shrinking back in corner Of the seat,
as IL the vital qualities of her being
were compressed to bring all within
the scope Of one eye-flash. Abbott
loved the laced shadows Of the trees
upon the barred head. he adored the
green lap-robe protecting her feet
The bugey-top was down and the trees
from either side strove c"ch 10 he
first. to darker Fran's block hair with
shadow upon shade.
"Are You 'ired of fish'no Franz"
eyes and o. being fi"hed
She had closed the dor in his face.
but he said-as through the keyho'e--
"Does that mean for me 10 go away?'
"You are a pretty GOOD friend. Mr..
Ashton" she said with crr' OF her
lin. 81 mean when we are alone.
awhile we're together and after
we part" he quoted. Fran. surely
YOU don't feel toward me the way you
are looking"
Exactly as I'm LOOKING at yo',,
that's the wav feel. Stand there as
long as YOU Please"
"I don't went to stand moment
longer. want 70 sit with '-c'' IN the
buggy. Please don't be $3.50 DID,"
Fran laughed out m''sically. hut i'm.
mediately declared: Il 'aughed be-
cause you are unexpected: it doesn't
mean ! like you any better. hate
friendship that shows Itself only in
private. Mr.. Chameleon like people
to show their true ro'ors."
81 am not Mr. Chameleon, and
want to sit in your buggy"
well. then get in the very farthest
.ar NJou, lool, ma in Tho eyaS"