Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-06


left the woods behind to engage on
narrow path On one side was the
sea and the rocky coast. on the other.
the land rose in a steady slope to
large house standing on high hill,
looking out to sea. Trees surrounded
the place on three sides, but the fourth
that to the sea, had hardly shrub to
break the superb sweep of lawn down
to the cliffs The house was large and
in the dim light looked more like an old
Norman castle, perched high on its
rocky crags. than New England farm
house. Lights glimmered here and
there in the gathering darkness. from
the front hall to the servants quarters.
and also upstairs, in my ladys cham
Der.
81 am sorry to have to spoil your
summer, Molly O'Toole," said Alsernon
"but just at present I should be still
more. sorry to go without a square
meal and .. comfortable place to dry
myself-and'- with q glance at the
forlorn pup. sitting on his launches
in worshipful expectancy-"my dog"
He made his way to the side terrace,
on which opened the windows Of the
hall and the dining-room. He peered
curiously into the former through a
window 1t was dimly lighted by the
Pickering flames of the fire in an
enormous fireplace, but Algernon could
see that it was very wide. paneled in
dark oak, with heavy rough uncovered
beams for the ceiling. The wide low
stairway led up into the dimly lighted
hall above The place was furnished
with massive oak tables and chairs in
conformity with the Norman castle eff
feet of the exterior of the house. Two
quaint old-fashioned settles stood on
either side of the hearth. while on the
mantel above were odd-shaped mugs
and stems, long Dutch pipes and
uueerly tobacco jars. On the wall
hung guns and antique powder-horns,
and still higher, the head OF the only
the late Mr.. Todd had had the
luck to kill. Huge doors on either
side of the hall gave pleasant glimpses
of rooms warm and cozy, Of dancing
fires and softly shining lamps.
"Ah!" said Algernon. "Me for
home!"
He made his way to the front door
and rang the bell long and loudly, un-
conscious that he would not be admit
ted in his rain-soaked garments, and
certainly not recognized as the master
by even Molly herself, who had seen
him but dimly for the first and only
time that night in the darkened rose
garden, Swallowed by the many trees
and brushes No one answered the
bell, however, and he rang again with
the same result. He left the door i'm
patiently and tried the windows, all OF
which reached the ground. But they
were~all shut and locked, and he could
only catch fascinating and alluring
glimpses Of great armchairs and dane
ing flames. He went around to the
back of the house and pounded on the
rear door, and still no one came. He
glanced toward the stables. They
were gaily lighted, early as it was, and
from the upper rooms came the sound
of revelry. the clatter Of dishes ond
the merry hum Of voices, mingled with
the occasional yelp Of dog and the
moisterous outlaws Of a jovial company
Mistress away and the servants
celebrating in the barn." thought Al
gernon disgustedly.
He prowled around until. finding a
pantry window in which the screen
was unfastened. he pushed It open and
climbed in. The pantry was dark, but
through the crack of the door he saw
a ray of light and CROPPED his way to-
ward it, his outstretched hands telling
him what place he had entered. Open
ing the door, he found himself In the
dining.room. 1t was counterpart OF
the hall: dark oak paneling, rough
beams overhead, enormous fireplace.
Drawn up in cozy proximity to the
genial warmth Of the flames was
table, candle-lighted, spread with
snowy damask and set with dainty
meal as though in readiness for the re-
turn Of the master and mistress. There
were sliced chicken and ham, butter
cleaning yellow among melting
SQUARES of ice, olives stuffed and swim
ming in oil, and salad with its lettuce
leaves crisp and green. There were
nuts and fruits, apples. plums. peaches
and q dish of early melons. Places
were laid for two and at each place
were several wine-glasses. An,
breathed Algernon, IF only Jimmy
were with me now and no longer an
ass! What greater JOY can heaven
afford than a square meal when you
are hungry?"
He picked up candle and went
again to the pantry and through that
to the kitchen. The place was de-
serted, but after opening numerous
doors. he found the refrigerator and
returned to the dining-room with the
bottles that he had found waiting on
the ice. The pup. whom he had lifted
in through the window ahead Of him
self, followed him closely as he went
back and forth. fearful of being left
alone in the strange place made dan
eerous by the sound of distant banks
foretelling the near presence or un
friendly dogs.
you live high. Molly" remarked
Algernon as he uncorked one e the
bottles. Your nerve, however. IS my
pleasure tonight. Here's to our meet
ing, Molly O'Toole, and good luck te
you!" ~
: He bowed. with his hand on his
! heart. to the empty chair across the
table and raised the glass to his lip'
with flourish. Then he sank into
the chair behind him and fell to OF