Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-07-05


eyes. It always amused him to watch
the people dashing madly past the
ticket chopper and sorambling for the
train that was even then pulling out
Of tho station. Invariably the gate
was slammed in their heated faces.
why will they rush themselves
into fever over one train out Of
hundreds Just like TT" was Everly's
habitual mental comment as he leis-
urely purchased his ticket and even
more leisurely dropped 1t into the
ticket chopper and strolled along the
elevated platform at the 10th street
station.
Everly had long since admitted his
preference for waiting that moment
or two between trains to making that
frantic dash and becoming heated and
upset the first thing In the morning.
Besides, he had an amusing assert
meut of oddments that he had picked
up after these morning sprinters. BY
going slowly he profited by their
hurry. Nothing was worth stopping
for 30 long as they caught that par
ticular train. and Everly had picked
up elevated tickets. fresh morning
papers. quarter or two, back combs
and even lady's belt. His most re-
cent find was more or less remark
able button, and even in his mascu-
line ignorance regarding feminine at
tire, Everly realized that 1t was one
OF those costly ornaments that make
the entire trimming Of modish tail-
ored suit.
Had Everly seen the girl
lost the button he most probaD y
would have returned 1t to her. AS It
was, he could only imagine a suit
that was perhaps navy blue and
which was suffering for the loss OF 9
button. II the suit was imported
there was slight chance Of the owner
being able to match the button.
However, EVERY watched the fem.
mime contingent that made it's way
businessward each morning about 9
O'Clock. There was just chance that
he might see suit that boosted the
mates of the one he had found. 1t
became q habit with him to traverse
the length of the platform and then
the train looking for blue enamel but
tons that were framed in dull silver.
It was Just as the $40 express train
was pulling into the station one
morning in June that he saw her.
Her slim back was Everly's first Wis.
ion and down at the foot Of her trim
walking skirt lurked six blue but
tons. They swung with the rhythm
OF her feet and Everly hurried along
the platform and glanced at the re-
mainder of an almost perfect whole.
Yes, her eyes were blue, like the
buttons, and her hair curled beneath
dainty blue hat. EVERY liked every
inch Of the girl, and 1t was then that
he decided not to give back the lost
property-at least she should be made
to see and long for 1t before getting
It, But how? EVERY ,racked his
brain and followed the girl into the
train. No longer did he look at gen
eral feminine attire. His attention
was entirely claimed by the girl who
always glanced down as II seeking In
vain for something.
It irritated Everly to note how
seldom her eyelashes unveiled the
deep blue OF her eyes. When he had
found q seat opposite her 1t seemed
az II she never would glance over at
him. II that was to be the case he
realized that his scheme would sink
to failure.
He examined her suit carefully
and yes there was a deficiency In
buttons. Everly discovered that one
sleeve contained three and the other
but two buttons.
He smiled his slow amused smile
and gave her credit for doing the
best maneuvering possible. She had
reasoned that she could not be seen
on both sides at once by the same
person.
While he smiled the girl looked up
and across at him. From his face her
eyes travelled down and opened wide
as they rested upon the lapel OF his
coat. She gave an almost impercepti
BILE start.
Her lovely imported button was
adjoining strange mans coat.
EVERY watched, while seeming not
to do so. She bit her lip in indecision
made an involuntary movement as II
she would speak to him. then sank
back in her seat A mutinous express
sion dawned in her eyes. Evidently