Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-15

RenSellear Todd with score CT oDeul'
ent well-trained servants quick to
do as he said, to realize that the situa.
ton was not so clear to the others as
to himself. He offered no explanation
and forgot that one was needed.
When he had finished his breakfast
and returned to the hall, Molly was
still there, leaning against the table,
head bent, thinking, thinking. thinking
and all her thoughts were on the one
subject, Joe and this trouble he was
In. Hancock. his love, his money, all
1t meant to be his wife, was forgotten.
The one thought of which\ she was
and she must help him. For some
reason he was angry with her. She
would ask his forgiveness whatever 1t
was, but she would not have him leave
her She looked up as he entered.
His hat was on the table and he had
to cross in front of her to get it. She
whirled and laid her hand on it as he
reached to pick 1t up.
"Joe," said she quickly, tell me
what you are going to do. Perhaps |
can help"
"You!" He gave shcrt ugly laugh.
And why not?" she demanded. II
can do lot of things. I can go to
the village and buy things for you.
Why can't I help? You wanted me
to once"
II wanted you for my wife-once."
he answered.
She shrank back and he snatched
up his hat and turned, but she was
beside him, her hand on his arm.
What have I done?" she pleaded,
that you should turn from me SO?
Last night you asked me to marry
you. What have done since them"
Don't" he begged. Lets and
this"
mo. You must tell me-"
You know as we'll as do. Let
me go, please am in a hurry"
II do not know. do not know,
really, ice. Tell me what have done
since last night. Nothing. can an
swer for myself. Absolutely nothing.
It is you who are changeable, you who
are at fault
"All right" said he. Let it 60 at
that. can't stop now"
Tell me what I have DONE" she
you must, Joe. The
criminal in the dock is told his crime
and allowed to defend himself. Am
l worse? Am I to have no mercy?"
Algernon turned away and started
again for the door.
Am to have no justice, even?" she
pleaded, standing forlornly in the mid
die Of the hall, her arms Imply hang
ing by her side.
Algernon paused Don't ask for
justice, Molly. You might get it,
and you!" she flashed out. What
CT yourself? am a thief, liar, a
but what Of yourself? Have
you been above reproach; even during
the last month Of your life. to say
nothing of what went before you came
here? My past is blameless. can
swear it on the bible if you wish me
to. I came up here with the intention
to do the very best in my power for
Mrs Todd. The country people got
it into their heads that I was Mrs.
Todd and kept calling me by that
name. didn't say anything at first,
just for the fun in it. did every
thing had been ordered to. put the
house in order, saw to the gardens and
stables-Wait-You must listen-Then
one day Hancock came to call. He
said he had heard that I was in the
neighborhood and came over in his
across the bay to be friend
". I cared for no one else. You had
not come. l played up to the part OF
Mrs. Todd as any one would, Joe, just
Tor fun, to see if could fool him as
I had the country people and to help
pass the time. It was so deadly dull
here. He-he seemed to care for me
right away, Joe, and somehow began
10 think of what It would mean to be
his wife. How could l help it? What
would not have thought about
It? He is young, good-looking. rich.
He knew nothing about the Todds and
It was easy to fool him. Joe, how
could l have helped not wanting to
marry him? You had not come"
molly, for heavens sake!"
mo, no. Listen. realized all it
would mean to myself for me to marry
him. Just having home and some
one to care for you and keep you from
being forced to earn your own living
" cS LCH pCCtlOA CAou6ll LII oiAy "oAAASAA'
Well, he began to come at all hours
If the day l did not have clothes to
i've up to the part was tempted and
fell Joe, am | the first and only
person who has been tempted beyond
MS strength?'
1T isn't that, and you know 1t isn't"
he interrupted DULY.
What Is it, then? I fell, but
thought would simply run up few
bills in the Todds name, that should
be married before they came due, as
good as married, anyway. and could
pay the bills myself. The Todds would
not be out anything. might not ever
know anything about it. And then,
about that check. I was desperate,
Joe Success was so near in day or
two, a week at least, it would be mine.
What was one little check? That, too,
could pay back. But you forged that
yourself. Why am I so beyond the
pale? What Of yourself? You Joined
in the cheating. You knew that was
not Mrs. Todd. l told you myself.
Why didn't you 60 then and tell the
authorities? Have you done something
In New York that you are in hiding
from the law yourself and didn't dare