Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-06-14

Wnen Sho passed MIN On inc pieI
few moments later he had coldly, dis
family raised his hat and let her pass.
Well, she argued with herself, II
he had really cared he would have
found her somewhere.
The robin chirped and she looked
about for his nest again.
Anyway, she was having q delightful,
time here with her aunt,
she assured herself. thinking It all
over. She would like to lie there al
ways wondering about the robin and
thinking about that stern. hurt face.
"Marjory! Oh, Marjory!" came her
aunt's animated voice. and moment
later Mrs. Nnmons hustled across
the lawn. "Marjory, what do you
suppose | have done. You know
little, Jane Jones, who lives down the
street! Well, her mother has one
of her headaches, and Jane had prom
Used an old friend to motor down
with him this afternoon to the Hale.
Thompson football game at Hale
college, and her mother can't chap
eron her, and she asked me. and l
can't because my club meets and I
have to read a paper, and Mrs. Grin
ham cant because her baby has
whooping cough, and Jane can't find
any one, and 30 I told her you'd 60,
and we'd call you Mrs. Drew. Do
you mind much, dear?"
Mrs. Emmons paused, out OF breath.
Marjory got laughinsly to her feet.
her old love Of fun coming back to
her face.
II think 1t will be a great lark. +"
she declared.
She came down twenty minutes
later, wrapped In veil and linen
duster, as the automobile drew up.
Here's your ring" said her aunt,
giving her a gold band. and Marjorie
slipped 1t, laughingly. on next to q
ruby, which she always wore. BE-
cause it had belonged to her mother.
Then she ran out to tho honking auto
mobile.
"Oh, Mrs. Drew" James young
voice greeted her. 1T was so good OF
you. Do you mind riding in front
50 that can keep Mr.. Stevens here
with me? Mrs. Drew, Mr.. Stevens
an old, old friend of mine ~.
Mallory got into the front seat be-
side the chauffeur as best she could.
It was the same Robert Stevens
but not the same cold face that had
haunted her for 90 many months. 1t
vas keen and animated and In mo-
nent Marjory hated the laughing
vivacious girl at his side.
She pulled her veil back from her
face and turned back to him.
eve have met before" she said
smiling.
ooh" said Robert, gazing at her,
and as he gazed his face grew stern
and hard Mrs. Drew? Yes, we
have.
Marjory turned back In her seat.
The rest of the ride was anything but
pleasant for her. She heard Roberts
deep, sympathetic voice and occa'
sional hearty laugh and James soft,
rambling chatter.
"The hateful, deceitful little thing
said marjory to herself.
When they reached the college cam
pus, half an hour before the game wal
scheduled to begin, a young mar
came rushing to meet them. He
greeted Jane and Robert with evident
enthusiasm.
"Oh, Mrs. Drew" said Jane. "Thie
Is Billy Stevens-Bob' brother. you
know. Mrs. Drew, Billy. She was
awfully good and at the last minute
consented to take mothers place and
come down with u.s."
II say, Mrs. Drew, that was good, .
said Billy Stevens, "for we would
have been awfully disappointed, and
YOU were q trump, too, Bob, to bring
Yar@ fAowp N0W ~ uc, fU0 don
mind. l am going to trot Jane around
a little. Well be back in fifteen min
utes. Bob, it's cool and shady on the
ether. side OF Henely hall"
Marjory watched the two go off to-
gether with CONSERVATION. Finally
she pulled herself together.
you go with Jane, too, Mr.. Stew.
ems" she said. II can wait alone"
Robert Stevens did not heed what
she said, but piloted her across the
crowded campus to the cool, shady
side Of Henley hall. It was de-
serted.
They sat down silently under the
elm. Marjory was tired and hot and
angry. She pulled of her gloves. and
unfastened her coat and took 1t OH
and united her veil and folded it pre-
cisely. She saw Robert looking al
her left hand. With a quick motion
she put it behind her.
We'll" she said.
YES" he said, I'VE might as well
talk it out 1t isn't honorable of me
know-but out there on the ocean
you know what l thought, Mrs. Drew
and yet you were wearing his ring
then"
Robert got up and paced back and
forth nervously, angrily. Marjory had
sudden dimming vision of crowd
ed pier.
But" she said, weakly, this ISM
his ring-it's my mother's-I have
worn 1T ever since she died. And"
Don't be childish" said Robert
there's the other ring" ....
But that isn't his either" sale
Marjory with tears in her eyes
chat is, mean, there isn't any he
don't you see? Oh, please understand
me and comfort me-"
Robert stopped short. Could it be
that she was a widow and was thus
gayly dressed and boldly weeping, ask
ing for his comfort? For moment
%ho oo1d lo@b vont from hia faco and