Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-03-04

thing ought to be left precisely as II
IL, because It's been that way 20 long
II mean the church; and schools: and
and society. But I've made up my
mind that nothing Is right. unless 1t
works right"
Mrs. Jefferson listened In desperate
eagerness. "A watch?" she hazarded.
Exactly" he responded hastily.
III a watch doesn't run, what's the use
of it's being pretty! And II churches
develop q giit Of tongue instead Of
character. what's the value Of their
prayers and Songs? And i've con.
cluded that IL schools don't teach us
how to live, they have the wrong kind
OF springs and wheels. Where 10 Fran,
Mrs. Jefferson!"
"Still," she temporized, I've cant
get along without watches, Abbott"
mo, nor schools, nor churches. But
they must have good works. 10 Fran
down at the fair do you think?
The other bent toward him steadily
ASK where Mrs. Gregory is," she said,
wonderfully significant.
"Weal?"
Abbott, listen: she's gone a-visit-
ing!" ........
WISHING. AUUOJt WAS ouI HIIOUu.
Eyes. visiting, she that hasn't been
of this place to visit a soul for ages.
I tell you, boy, times have changed.
here. Maybe you think nobody'd b
left at home to visit; but Fran has
found there is woman In town that
she used to know, and the woman has
a mighty sick child. and Lucy has
gone to sit by It, so the mother can
rest. Think Of that. Abbott, think OF
Lucy going anywhere. My! Have you
heard that we've lost secretary At
this place? mean the future Mrs.
Bob. Yes. she's gone. I'd as soon
have thought Of the courthouse being
picked up and set in the parlor.
Mrs. Jefferson drew back and said
succinctly, Fran did IT,"
Her cap quivered as she leaned for
ward again. Get her to tell you all
about 1t. We darsen't speak about It
much because OF the neighbors. We
conspired. Fran and l. Yes. she's
down 1t the carnival, you boy"
Abbott hastily departed. Later he
found himself In cloud-burst Of con-
fetti, on the "city square" and when he
had cleared hts eyes Of the red and
white snow, he saw Fran disappearing
like bit Of crimson glass at the bot
tom of a human Kaleidoscope. Fran
had thrown the confetti, then fed
how much brighter she was than all
the other shifting units of humanity.
He fought his way toward her de-
terminedly. finding she was about to
be submerged. Was she actually try
ing to elude him?
Fran" he cried reproachfully as
he reached her side. How have you
the heart to run away from me after
I've been lost for weeks? Nobody
knew I'd ever be found"
Fran gave UP fight, and stopped to
look at him. A smile slipped from the
corner of one eye, to get caught at the
corner of her demure mouth. when
you disappeared. you left me yourself.
A friend always does. I've had you
all the time"
Abbott glowed. Still. It isn't ex-
actly the same as II had been able to
touch your hand. Suppose we shake
hands, little friend; what do you say
81 don't say anything" Fran re-
torted; II just shake"
Her handclasp was 50 hearty that he
was slightly disconcerted. Was her
friendship so great that 1t left no room
in her heart for something greater
Fran's emotions must not be compress
sed under friendship monopoly, but
Just now he hardly saw his way to-
ward fighting such trust.
81 want to talk to you, Fran. talk
and talk, oh. Just about all the long
night through! Come, let me take you
back home
Home? Me? Ridiculous! But
I'll tell you the best place that ever
was, for the kind OF talking you and
want to do to each other. Abbott, It
won't matter to you-will it?-at what
place say to meet me, at about half
past Miner"
why Fran! It's not eight o'clock"
Abbott demonstrated. CHANGING toward
the courthouse clock to ind 1t stop
ped, and then consulting his watch.
do you think am going to wait
till"
It'll half-past nine," said Fran.
nonchalantly. Very we'll. then"
"But what will we do in the mean
time, II we're not to talk till"
ever" she Knocked him. Listen,
Abbott. don't look so cross. I've q
friend in town with sick daughter.
and she's a real friend SO must 90
to help her. a while"
He was both mystified and disap-
pointed II didn't know you had any
such friends in Littleburg," he remon-
strated, remembering how unkind
tongues had set the village against
her.
Fran threw back her head, and her
gesture was full OF pride and conf
dence. "Oh!" she cried, the town IL
full OF my friends"
He could only stare at her in dumb
amazement.
"All right, them" she said with the
greatest cheerfullness, "at half-past
nine. You understand the date-nine-
thirty. OF course you wouldn't have
me desert friend In trouble. Who're
shall we meet, Abbott nine-thtrtys?
Shall we say, at the Snake Eater's?"
mo We shall not say at the
Snake Eaters. Fran, I want you right
now. know nothing OF this sick
friend, but need you more than any
body else in the world could posi-
Z s.