Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-07-24
Evening Story.

Evening Story.
THE BEToN EXPERIMENT
| BY Martha MccuIIough-NlIIlam
| Copyright, 1913, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
The lane was entiting "a Ions
arch of green and gold, checkereG
here or there by blur of May sun
shine, marking gap in the tree.
on either side Lacy shadows lay
upon the beaten roadway; 1t was
clean and brown, thereby proclaim
ing the recent fall of rain.
Melville refined in as he came fully
within It's green GOODNESS. He hac
been riding hard since breakfast -
was very warm and still. Melville
glanced at his reeking horse with
something of conjunction. He had
not meant to use the beast so hard
but once under the spell of swif:
motion, had let the good creature
over-spend itself.
go on! At a walk! Don't you
know anything about cooling out?'
somebody called from the hedge.
rows ambush.
Melville started, looking all about
The horse stood droop-headed and
painting he had not dreamed 1t was
so blown. He sprang down and led
1t two PAGES forward, then said
anxiously: II don't know the first
thing about cooling out Please
come and tell me whoever and
wherever you are!"
mo need! can tell you here,
Just keep walking your horse up
and down slowly until the sweat
begins to dry. Then mount and ride
him wee bit faster until he Is full,
dry. And then rub him down, let
him have little water after that it
won't hurt him to crop little
grass" ..-
But I have not time. must be
In Exeter by 10 o'clock" Melville
protested. Els there nobody around
no place where I can leave him
and get a fresh horse?"
What you deserve is motor
cycle. II you overdrive that 1t gets
0SsSn US JOu Wy IAAOW1A6 ySut SAC
unseen critic answered severely. ~
won't tell you where to get horse
you know 50 little what to do with
one.
Then must go and look for my
SELF" Melville countered Mean
time, I wish dared turn this poor
creature on, somebody's grass"
us he yours?" the voice inter.
rupted.
Melville nodded, saying, II bought
him Yesterday on purpose for this
ride -.
"Will you sell him?' the voice
again demanded. ..
Melville shook his head, answer
ing, "I'll give him to anybody that
will take care Of him properly and
tell me how may be in Exeter on
time" ....
s. you aren't afraid of motors?' the
asked.
Melville laughed significantly.
chug Of one would be sweetar
than angel voices to me about now,
he said. But I was told there was
only one in the county-and II not to
be had for love nor money"
Truth, for wonder the voice
There was a surging Of
hedgerow greenery-it parted finally,
letting through figure puzzlingly
1t was swathed in
long khaki garment something like
a Russian caftan, but so cut as not to
impede motion. A high collar hid
the throat, SLOUGH hat pulled low
masked the face above It. Below
were puttees and small very feminine
feet, rather delicately shod.
80! You come to my relief! The
lady of the auto? Otherwise, Miss
Reton? Melville said, recalling the
gossip of the county town, heard
while he was horse-buying.
Again you speak truth! Wonders
will never cease" 1t said, then lifting
the hat trifle, II dare say you think
shall take you and your horse at
your word. I'm fond of surprises,
when they disconcert the
other fellow. Come on! Lead your
horse. will see that he is cared for
and returned to you or your
agent, in good fettle. My charge will
be henceforth consideration on your
part for any horse you may ride. And
in reward you shall get to Exeter"
He followed her obediently to ons
If the sun-blurs. It resolved itself !
nto an open gate, giving upon
ush pasture, beyond which group
If buildings showed queer and quaint
n the sunshine: At his guides |
'halloo" men came in view. In al
rice they had relieved him Of the
,orse, now limping as we'll as droop-
headed; breath later there was an
,dd-looking ancient runabout max
no uyhoozv nntoo outside tho mad. |