Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-05-06


every year, which IL usually pulled on
Just in advance Of the time when the
mine operators get together and erect
gatm emit Mapped softly against the
glass. He half rose. listening. There
was silence outside.
Have I fallen into another mys-
tery?" cd Kent. SIS there no
rest for the weary"
The footsteps mounted the side
porch. Kent awaited q knock. None
came.
'Odd!" he observed to his pillow.
"F4w people find the outside Of door
so fascinating that they stand Tor two
minutes in wet gale admiring 1t.
Tiptoeing to the door. he threw II
open. There was a startled cry from
without and an equally startled grunt
from within. Chester Kent and Mar
jorte Blair stood face to face.
I'll beg your pardon" gibbered
Kent. whelmed instantly In morass
Of embarrassment. I'll didn't mean
to frighten you"
Feminine-wise she built up her self
possession on the ruins of his. Il
wonder" she said with smile,
"whether I'm the worse-frightened one
OF Gs."
"You see,' he said lamely, ut was
SO sudden, your-your coming that
way didn't. expect you"
"And for that reason you intend to
bar me from the house? It's quite
L ;gustingly wet out here"
With muttered apology Kent STEP
ned aside, and she entered. Even
amid his ill-ease he could not but note
how the girlish loneliness had ripened
and, warmed, yet without FORGETTING
anything Of that quaint appealing
usefulness which made her charm UNI
lioue. But there glinted now IN her
deem eyes an elfsh spirit of mischief,
partly inspired BY tho confusion Of the
helpless male creature before her.
parity the reaction from tho mingled
dread and desire Of the prospective
meeting with sedgwlck; for she had
come O., a sudden uncomfortable I'M
nulse to see him, and would have
turned and fed at the last minute, had
not Kent surprised her. Perhaps
there was little flavor Of revenge for
this, too, in her attitude toward him.
.sWhat q surprise to ind you here
MRS. Kent" she remarked sweetly
cor are YOU calling yourself Mr.. Blair
nowadays? And how is your poor
Fear?'s
chester Kent Immediately seized
that unoffending member and chung to
Il van much the lost and anguished
expression OF the pale martyr In the
once .popular Rock Of Ages chrome.
HE tormentor considered him with
malicious eyes.
"Did any woman ever say Boo to
him suddenly. wonder? she unused
aloud1
Ike saving grace. there came into
Kerft's mind fragment OF The Hunt
ing of the Shark. In which he had Just
been reveling. Said he gravely:
"He would answer to Hi or to any
Such as Fry me- or 'Fritter my vigil"
She caught up the stanza:
"Tos' What ou-may-call-um' or What
as-his-name!'
Butsespecially 'Thing-um-a-jig.
$50 you know Lewis Carroll. How
really human Of you!"
! st is better to be humane than
human" murmured Kent, relinquish-
iing,nis aural grip as he began to touch
bottom. ),
he very gentle and soothing. But, oh, /"
she burst out irrepressibly, may the
kindly fates give me to be among
those present ~hen you fall In love!"
Kent favored her with an elabor-
ate bow "Your presence would be
+ha one essential"
sReally," she approved, you're pro
crossing. I begin to feel repaid Tor
nv -isit, already"
This time Kent looked her in the
eve. You're not very demanding In
the matter OF returns for your trou.
HE !" he remarked. ITO come through
| all this wind and rain and then be
content merely to contemplate the out
side OF a door-that argues an humble
spirit. TO be sure, however, It's q
very good door: one of the most In
terestine features Of our local archi-
tecture and may lead tO-all sorts OF
things"
It was her turn to grow red.
eYou haven't asked me about Sedg'
wick" he continued.
sis he well?'' she inquired formally,
but with quickened breath.
..He is more than that. He is cured
and a man. A man." he added mean.
! ingly. "for any woman to be proud or"
There was a step on the floor above.
Marjorie Blair's hand went to her
heart.
| 81 didn't know he was here" she
panted affrightedly. II came just to-
look at the place. Then saw the
light. and wanted so to come In: but
II didn't dare. can't see him now!
must 60! Don't tell"
!, Chester Kent raised his voice
prank" he called Come down here!
Quick!" !,
| Not twice in his life had Sedgwick
heard that tone in his friends voice
The bungalow shook to his long tread
jacross the floor. The studio dool
I nnened and flew shut behind him. H<