Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-11-05

w lCNSI, WOulu Uc IdluCl eoiIu w 'A'S
with them and manage everything.
Ludmilla hated this sole suitor-he
was perhaps the real root of her i'm
pulse to run away. AS Beth stared at
her there came knock at the front
door-his knock, Ludmilla thought,
frowning. She had the greatest mind
not to open the door. Something made
her open it-Fate she always afterward
believed. And there in the dripping
swirl outside, she saw two strangers,
both young, one tall, one short, gentle
men by outer evidence-yet weary and
chilled to the bone.
1--WE are lost-and our car hopeless
ly stuck. Will you tell us where TO
look for help?" the tall one said, barring
his head in spite Of the pelting rain.
Ludmilla cried impulsively: Come
in to the fire-the fireplace, rather
with a glance at the feeble remnants
smoldering there.
Beth had darted outside for wood.
She came in with her arms full of dry
hickory The short fellow took it from
her almost forcibly. said ALLOW me,
and set to fire-making with art and
relish
Flames soon leaped royalty up the
big chimney-but they did not bright
en- the interior more than this some
thing happening frightened the races
of the young women
Ludmilla recklessly fetched wine and
cake-it was late afternoon-she
guessed the strangers we're hungry.
Mrs. Aston was asleep-her house
hold took pains not to wake her. In
side half an hour the big living room
was a scene of decorous gayety.
Move lack a phone Ludmilla
was saying, apologetically. "And there
is nobody we can send for team until
Ephrum comes to milk. Then it will
be too late to think of going on, over
our roads. So you must content your
selves to stay until morning-then l
daresay Mr. Teesdale-"
who is taking my name in vain?>
Teesdale called, half angrily, from the
door.
He had come in the back way, with
out knocking. as was his disconcerting
habit. Ludmilla presented him to the
were Tom Mclean
and Joe Ethbridge, whom the country
side knew we'll by reputation. Although
they lived cross county, their college
pranks were the talk of it. Teesdale
frowned at them covertly--sure in his
own mind that the breakdown was
Those two were always
up to something-it would be like them
thus to achieve acquaintance with the
Aston girls.
"We-oh, we are ladies of Shallott,"
he heard Beth saying, as he asked to
see Mrs Aston.
The phrase leased and msulted him
he had not the least understanding
of it. So when he had Mrs Alston's
private ear in the dining room. he pour
ed into it a tale OF presumption and
that, made her furious.
She was for ordering out the audacious
ntruders-Teesdale held her back.
Leave me to deal with them he
Of this family in short order
She was at his back when he strobe
into the living room, saying offensive
ly, (Which would you rather do, young
men-sleep in the hayloft or ride home
muleback through the rain? You've
got to do one or the other.
:Sure?'' Ethridge asked, stretching
lis damp feet closer to the fire.
Mighty sure" Teesdale growled.
Ludmilla had risen and was looking
1t him, her eyes shooting sparks. You
AXE too much on yourself" she began |
,rying to speak steadily.
Teesdale laughed insolently. mot
TOO much" he said. I'm head of this
family, since you're going to marry
NE"
"She is not" Mclean said, springing |
IN front of Ludmilla. Il did not mean ,
10 be so abrupt-but l came here to
ask her to marry me. I've loved her
ever since l saw her at church a year
ago-and been trying to find way to
ell her So"
81 thought your breakdown was a
AXE Teesdale sneered.
But my love is not" Mclean an
,wered sturdily. He turned toward
4udmilla-she was smiling rosily.
81 saw you too," she said, laying her