Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-02-11
ByJ0Hh BRE( kENRlDGE ELLIS
Copyright, 1912, The Soi,hs

ByJOHk BRE(
Copyright, 1912. The Sohhs.!
CHAPTER X Continued.
In his official character as chairman
of the board Robert Clinton marched
with dignity into the superintendent
office, meaning to bear away the wilted
Fran before the eyes Of woman. Alb
lott Ashton saw him enter with a
sense of relief The young man could
not understand why he had held Frans
hand. that night on the foot-bridge.
Not only had the sentiment Of that
hour passed away, but the interview
Fran had forced upon him at the close
of recent school-day, had inspired
him with actual hostility. 1t seemed
the irony OF fate that mere child. a
stranger, should, because of senseless
gossip, endanger his chances Of reap
pointment--a reappointment which he
felt certain was the best possible
means of advancement. Why had he
held Fran's little hand? He had
never dreamed Of holding Grace's-ah.
there was a hand, indeed!
HAS she been sent DOWN." Bob
asked, in the hoarse undertone of a
fellow-conspiratoor
mo" Abbott was eager to prove his
innocence. II haven't seen a sign Of
her, but I'm looking every minute
glad you're here"
Condolences were impracticable, be-
cause of tousled-headed, ink-stained
pupil who gloomed in corner.
"Why, hello there, Jakey!" cried
Clinton, Disconnected: he had hoped
that Fran's subjugation might take
place without witnesses. What are
you doing here, hey?"
"Waitin' to be WHIPPED" was the
defiant rejoinder Co.. ...
"Tell the professor you're sorry for
what you've done. SO you can run
along" said the chairman of the board
persuasively.
Nav, amt sorry" returned Jakey,
hands in pockets. Then bethinking
himself-"But I amt done nothin'."
Abbott said regretfully, He'll have
to be whipped"
Clinton nodded, and sat down
solemnly breathing hard. Abbott was
restlessly pacing the floor, and Bob
was staring at him unwinkingly, when
the door opened and in came Fran.
Abbott frowned heavily, but the
wrinkles in his brow could not mar the
attractiveness of his handsome young
face. He was too fine looking, the
chairman reflected uneasily, for his
duties. His figure was too athletic,
his features too suggestive of aristo'
cratic tastes and traditions. Clinton
wished he would thrust pen behind
his ear AS for himself, after one brief
glance at Fran, he fumbled for his
spectacles.
Fran walked up to Abbott hesitant-
ingly, and spoke with the indistinct-
ness of awed humility. "You are to
punish me-" she explained, "by making
me work out this original proposition"
showing the book-"and you are to
keep me here till get It,"
Abbott asked sternly, "Did Miss Bull
send me this message?" .s
She is named that" Fran murmured
her eyes fastened on the open page.
From the yard came the shouts OF
children, breaking the bonds Of learn
ing for q wider freedom. Abbott,
gazing severely on this slip of girl,
found her decidedly commonplace in
appearance. How the moonlight must
have bewitched him! Her rebellious
hair hung over her face like a shaggy
mane-what a small creature to be
dressed as woman, and how ridicul-
GUS that the skirts should reach even
to her ankles! 1t had not been so, on
the night of destiny. He preferred the
shorter dress, but neither she nor her
attire was anything to him. He re-
joiced that Robert Clinton was there
to witness his Indifference. -.
''This is the problem" Fran said,
with exceeding primness, pronounc-
the word is II it were too large for her,
and holding up the book with a slender
finger placed upon certain italicized
words.
LET me see it," said Abbott, with
professional dryness. He grasped the
book to read the proposition. His
hand was against hers, but she did not
draw away, for had she done so, how
could he have found the place?
Fran, with uplifted eyes, spoke In the
plaintive accents Of flve-year-old
child: Right there, sir it's
awful hard
Robert Clinton cleared his throat
and produced sound bursting with
accumulated his and r's-his warning
passed UNDECIDED.
Never before had Abbott had SO
much OF Fran. The capillaries Of his
skin, as her hand quivered warmly
against his, seemed drawing her in:
and as she escaped from her splendid
black orbs, she entered his brain by
the avenue OF his own thirsty eyes.
What was the use to tell himself that
she was commonplace, that his position
was in danger because of her? Sud
denly her hair no longer reminded
him Of the flying name Of a Shetland
pony; it fell slantwise past the corners
of her eyes, making triangle Of
smooth white skin to the roots Of the
hair, and 1t seemed good, just because
it was Fran's way and not after a ma
chine-turned fashion; Fran was done
by hand. there was no doubt Of that.
"Sit there" Abbott said, gravely
pointing. She obeyed without a word,