Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-01
The Eobhs- Merrill, Company.


the afternoon, and Molly perforce took
up her old station at the terrace steps,
with James on one side OF ner and
; Hancock suggested that James go for
hand had been shaken, tbe last gocd-by
received and returned, she sank weari.
ly on the terrace steps behind her and
Hancock suggested that James go for
An ice or something to drink. The
female native element having depart
ed. James felt he could do so without
danger and hurried away with alacrity,
admitting to himself that country
made ice-cream was certainly com.
parable with any one could get IN the
city.
/, "Molly, you're tired-dear,' said
Hancock gently. bending over her.
The girl nodded, feeling suddenly
limp and exhausted now that the
strain of keeping up before her guests
was practically over. Why are
parties considered pleasure, she
asked plaintively. when they leave
one worn to a fragile, irritable and
desiring nothing 50 much as to COM
NIT murder?''. Z. ~ 9 &.
Hancock laughed and made a lit
tie notion hastily suppressed, to lay
his hand on her shoulder. ASK me
something easier" he said. "why dogs
have four legs and humans only two or
what happened to James to make him
dislike the country folk so. Come to
the rocks for while-just you and
T.
Don't said the girl sharply, rising
to her feet.
Dent what-dear?"
Dent ask me to 60 to the rocks"
she answered, and leave James be-
hind she added flippantly as she
caught a feeting glimpse OF the
wounded surprise on his face.
Enough ice-cream would compens-
ate James for life in the Wilderness,
urged Hancock. Il want to talk to
you"
One ouietly.veiled shy glance at his
eyes and Molly had read his inten-
tions. After two months, young Han
cock had determined to put his for
tune to the test, to lay his honor and
his life at the lady's feet, and after
two months of waiting for this mo-
ment. the GROWING success OF her
masquerade. the goal for which she
had worked and striven-come now
when she was discovered, come Just In
time to save her from her own folly
she could think Of nothing but long
lean youth, with sandy hair and kind
gray eyes. youth who was bit fool
ish, wholly irresponsible and care.
free without cent in the world and
absolutely no prospects. They had
laughed and played and swum together
for a week, one short week, and the
girls heart cried out at the sacrilege OF
willingly listening to another man. It
was a moment Of weakness, soul be-.
numbing, improbable weakness, but
at the time too strong for her to Tight
against. She wanted Joe as home
sick child wants it's mother and no
tempting offer of new doll, a gaudy
stick of red and white candy, would
suffice. She shook her head gaily and
retreated- up the terrace steps.
I'm talked out, absolutely" she
laughed, II couldn't tell you the time
even if I had a watch in my hand.
Let us join James and the ice-cream
freezer and simply eat"
Hancock reached boldly for her
hand Molly he pleaded, II want to
ask you something"
when a woman is tired, leave her
alone" insisted the girl. Homes are
wrecked, fortunes lost, nations sent to
war, by mans inability to know when
to leave a woman alone
"The ice-cream is all gone"
James appeared on the terrace above
them and beside him Mr., Joseph Hol-
mes, Patterson, now, he had explained
airily to James,. when they had met
by chance in the empty dining-room.
"To help Todd out, you know" said
Holmes lightly "He is having some
fun, it seems, with the young lady,
cousin of his fathers. I believe he
said. They have never met before and
Todd wants to masquerade for few
days as q chauffeur and I am helping
him out, as l broke in on his little
game Internationally and won't be
here long, not more than day or two
at most. Don't say anything about this
to any one, please. 1t Is secret be-
tween Todd and me and we don't want
any one to know. You understand"
Certainly" said James coldly. 1T
is no affair of mine and shall say
nothing AID
Molly turned to the two with relief
and introduced Holmes-alias Todd
to the others, suppressing wild desire
to laugh aloud at the farce of it all.
Hancock bowed stiffly and declared
that he must be going. He had doubt
less already stayed too long.
"You have only been in town few
days, believe. Mr.. Patterson" said
he in ominous calm.
Holmes nodded "My motor broke
down and had to send to Boston for
a new part. -Beastly bore. waiting.
was on my way to Montreal, you
know"
you are stopping at the hotel, sup
pose. Can I take you back to the vii
lage in my car? Jim and are going
directly"
"Why, thanks awfully," drawled
Holmes. 1T would be lift. Much
obliged. became interested in a
book and forgot the time. Mrs. Todd,
you must excuse me, really, out-stay-
ing the rest of your guests like this.
1t was Jolly kind in you to take pity on
4