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


did tell her that since she---yes,
remember now--since she was to be
out of town all day, would wait UNI
til tomorrow to bring her book she
wanted to borrow"
ooh! And then she wanted to know
who told you she would be out OF town
all day, didn't she?"
Abbott reflected deeply, then said
with triumph, yes, she did. ! remem-
Der that too. She asked me how |
knew she was going to the city with
Bob Clinton. And avoided telling her
1t was rather neat. l merely said
that it was the understanding they
were to select the church music. Not
another word was said on the SUBJ
iect."
THAT was enough. Mighty neat. 40
soon as she saw you were trying to
avoid direct answer. she knew I'd
tod you. That gave her clue to my
leaving the choir practice before the
rest Of them. She guessed something
important was up. She might not have
guessed all the details, but she didn't
dare leave me an open field. Well, Alb
bolt, you are certainly an infant In her
hands. but guess you can't help 1t.
Self.pride was touched, and he re-
taliated: Fran, hate to think of your
being willing to take her position be-
hind her back"
She crimsOned.
| you'd know how feel about It" he
wont OH, If you understood her bat
ter. know her duty drives her to act
in opposition to you, and I'm sorry for
it. But her religious ideals"
| abbott, be honest and answer n
there anything in it--this talk Of do
ing Gods will? Can people love God
and hate one another? Oh, isn't It all
| just words?" Her eyes burned fierce
". II wouldn't have the love that some
folks give God, I'd feel myself insult
ed! l want something better than he :
gets. want love that holds out. I
just hate shams," she went on ,becom-
ing more excited II don't care what
fine names you give them-whether
it's marriage, or education. or culture.
or religion, IL there's no heart In 1t.
it's a sham, and hate 1t. / hate
lie. But thousand times more, do
hate life that is lie."
! Fran! You don't know what you
are saying?"
| eyes, do know what I'm saying.
Is religion going to church? That's all
can see in It, want to believe
there's something else, I've honestly
searched, for / wanted to be comfort
ed, I tell you, need it. But can't
find any comfort in mortar and stained
windows. II lightning ever strikes .
church member between services. 10
his face toward God? No, people Just
name something religion,-an then
! it's wrong to find fault with 1t. ! want
something that makes a man true to
his wife, and makes family live to.
gether in blessed harmony, something
that's good on the streets and In the
stores, something that makes people
even treat a show girl we'll If there's
anything in 1t. why doesn't father
She snatched away her hand that
she might cover her face, for she had
burst into passionate weeping. Why
doesn't a father who's always talking
about religion and singing about It,
and praying about it-why doesn't
! that father draw his daughter to his
breast close. close to his
heart-that's the only home she asks
for-that's the home she has right
to, yes right, don't care how TAR
she's wandered"
"Fran!" cried Abbott, In great dis
tress. Don't cry, little one!" He had
no intelligent word, but his arm was
full of meaning as it slipped about her.
who has been unkind to you. Non
pareil?" She let her head sink upon
his shoulder, as she sobbed without
restraint. What shams have pierced
your pure heart? Am the cause Of
any of these tears? Am II"
eyes" Fran answered, between her
sobs, you're the cause Of all my
happy tears" She nestled there with a
movement of perfect trust; he drew
her closer, and stroked her hair ten
Derby. trusting himself.
Presently she pulled herself TO-
rights. lifted his arm from about her.
and rested 1t on the back Of the scat
a friendly compromise. Then she
shook back her hair and raised her
eyes and faint smile came into the
rosy face. I'm so funny" she de-
clared. Sometimes seem SO strange
that I need an introduction to myself"
She looked into Abbott's eyes fleet
| ingly and drew in the corners Of her
mouth. II guess. after all, there's
something in religion!"
Abbott was so warmed by returning
sunshine that his eyes shone. Dear
Fran" he said-it was very hard to
keep his arm where she had put it.
She tried to look at him steadily, but
somehow the light hurt her eyes. She
could feel it's warmth burning her
cheeks. @
i ooh Fran" cried Abbott impulsive-
ly. "the bridge in the moonlight was
nothing to the way you look nowso
beautiful--and so much more than
just beautiful
"This won't do" Fran exclaimed.
hiding her face. I'VE must get hack
4 to Grace Noir Immediately
"Oh Fran. oh, no, pleased"
! Il won't please. While we're In
! sure-Enough Country, mean to tell
you the whole truth about Grace
Noir" The name seemed to settle the
atmosphcre-she could look at him.
i now.
81 want you to understand that
something is going to happen must
happen. just from the nature or
/ things. and the nature Of wives and