Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-05-09
TIMES REPUBLICAN. MARSH ALLTOwN IOWA, NAY . 1919

the delicate form. ths youthful ace.
and whistled. "wlll you please tell
me whore your homo IL. Nonpareil?"'
She waved her arm inciusively.
America. wish It were concentrate
ed In some spot, but it's Just spread
out thin under the Stars and Stripes.
NY country's about all have" She
broke of with catch in her voice
she tried to laugh, but 1t was no use.
Suddenly 1t came to Abbott Ashton
that he understood the language of
moon, watching woods. meadow-lands,
even the gathering rain-clouds; all
spoke Of the universal brotherhood OF
man with nature; brotherhood in
Guiding the most ambitious superin.
tendent of schools and a homeless
Nonpareil: q brotherhood to be con-
flrmed by the clasping OF sincere
hands. There was danger in such a
confirmation. for it carried Abbott be-
yond the limits that mark superin-
tendent's confines.
As he stood on the bridge, holding
Fran's hand in warm and sympa-
thetic pressure, he was not unlike one
trenches to hold friendly parley with
the enemy. Abbott did not know there
was any danger in this brotherly
handclasp; but that was because he
could not see feshy and elderly lady
slowly coming down the hill. AS SUI
perintendent, he should doubtless have
considered his responsibilities to the
public; he did consider them when the
lady, breathless and severe, ap-
pound Of her ample form cast its
weight upon the seal of her disapprov-
ing, low-voiced and significant, Good
evening, Professor Ashton"
Fran whistled.
The lady heard, but she swept on
without once glancing back. There
was in her none of that saline ten
dency that made of Lot a widower;
the lady desired to see no more.
Fran opened her eyes at Abbott to
their widest extent, as she demurely
asked, "How cold is it? My Their
mometer Is frozen"
The young man did not betray I'M
easiness, though he was really
alarmed, for his knowledge of the
fleshy lady enabled him to foresee
gathering clouds more sinister than
those overhead. The obvious thing
to be done was to release the slender
hand; he did so rather hastily.
"Have got you into trouble?" PSan
asked, with her elfsh laugh. "If SO,
we'll be neighbors, for that's where l
live. Who was she?"
Miss Sapphire Clinton" he an
swered as, by common impulse, they
began walking toward Hamilton Greg
ory's house. Bob Clinton's sister.
and my landlady." The more Abbott
thought of his adventure. the darker
it grew; besore they reached their des-
tination it had become deep gray.
"Do you mean the Brother Clinton
that couldn't get through"
"Yes - He's the chairman Of
the School Board"
"Ah!" murmured Fran comprehend
ingiy. At Gregory's gate, she said.
"Now you run back to the tent and
I'll beard the lion by myself. know
it has sharp teeth, but guess it won't
DUO me. DO you tIy 10 get Oack 10
the tent before the meetings. over.
Show yourself there. Parade up and
down the aisles."
He laughed heartily, all the sorrier
for her because he found himself in
! trouble. t'
"It was fun while 1t lasted, wasn't
it," Fran exclaimed, with o sudden
gurgle.
Part Of 1t was" he admitted.
''Good-by. then, little Nonpareil."
He held out his hand.
mo, sir!" cried Fran. clasping her
hands behind her. That's what got
you into trouble. Good-by. Run for
it,"
ITO he Continuedl