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

wanted, he took his wine into the naiI
drew a small table up to the fire, and
finding matches and cigars on the
mantel, prepared to enjoy the even
ing TEe-nights grow chilly early on
the coast of Maine, and the fire was
more than welcomed. Sinking into
the soft depths OF leather chair, Al
gernon stretched his weary battered
legs to the blaze, and the pup, dry
again, well-fed and happy, sank into a
deep and peaceful slumber in the rosy
glow Of the flames.
What more can heaven ofer?
unused Algernon again, in blissfui
content.
The cigars were OF quality to COM
pare favcrably with the wine which
had been of the best, and between
them and the genial warmth Of the
fire, Algernon dozed happily. The
clock at the head of the stairs struck
eleven slow ponderous strokes. A log
fell with shower of sparks and Al
gernon awoke. The fire was almost
out and tho hall dark save for the
subdued lights from the adjoining
rooms. Algernon yawned, stretched,
and throwing more wood on the fire,
stirred it into a blaze. He drew on
the buster that had been drying over
a chair-back, as. in the absence of his
coat, more seemly attire In which TO
greet lady who. he decided. would
arrive any moment now, and sank
comfortably hack into his chair again.
He was just dczing off when the chuh-
chuff of an automobile and the half
brave, half-fearful growls Of the pup
"wo'-o hin eHactNall- H'ha t"0n'
door orened and the cool damp air OF
the night rushed In, accompanied by
the loud throhs of the machine and
the ripple of a woman's laugh. me
pup cast enc longing look. as 1t
seemed to Algernon. at the seclusion
under the nearby settle. but re-
NAMED stanchly by the only friend
who had said good word to him in
many a day, sitting behind his mas
ter's feet. on the stubby tail that "oulo
persist in getting between his legs,
one ear cooked, small nose weighing
and bright eyes on the door.
Come in and have bite to eat
called P gay sweet voice. evidently to
some one still in the motor-car. A
mans voice replied that he guessed ne
would. and presently the two entered,
Molly O'Toole and stranger. tall,
hroad-shcnldcrcd young fellow. look
ing, in his faultless attire. with his
frank blank face. like the original OF
an up-to-date advertisement of first
class mems clothing store. as he stood
pulling off his gloves. his cap under
his arm.
Molly wore the softest, daintiest and
most expensive of automobile wraps.
From a fleecy cloud Of gray yelling,
her piquant face "None radiant as
flower. She was g~od to look at as
she stood there in the Pickering light
of the dancing flames. drawing off her
gloves, her head bent, her adorable
mouth dimpling at some remark OF the
strangers. Then she nushed back her
veil and looked around.
Glow dark 1t is said she. NO
in answer to a. question. I'm not sure
lust when Algcrnon will come"
Algernon rose in. the long flowing
duster. "He Is here" said he. "Al-
gernon Van Rensselaer,. Todd atTyour
service" And he bowed gracefully In
the freight.
Molly's face turned suddenly white.
The strange young man, however, was
not looking at her, but at the grotes-
que figure in the shabby buster, the
NANCY pup sitting at his feet. and his
ewes filled with frank amusement. AS
Molly took in the tall figure. the we'll
worn buster, the shoes that we're down
at the heels, and the cotton shirt with
the faded tie. the red came slowly back
to her face and the sparkle to her irish
blue eyes. This man was the young
drummer whom she had met that
morning in the road and who had
kindly helped her with the balky horse
but most certainly was not the I'M
maculate youth who had softly whisp,
cred to her amused self not two
months since in the darkened fra
GRANGE of the rose-garden. though IN
figure and bearing they We're marvel
ously alike and their voices strangely
similar. Hardly! She laughed q
laugh OF amusement
She tossed her gloves on the table
and loosening the wrap at her throat
she threw it back, pausing a moment
with chin up.tilted, to regard the un
welcome intruder with cool tndiffer
ence. Then she spoke in her soft
sweet voice with the Tilt that made
one think vaguely Of the springtime.
"You must have been uncomfor
table sleeping in that chair" said she
There are plenty OF beds upstairs
Why did you not ask the servant to
take you to one?"
" have not seen any OF your ser
wants. except my humble SELF" Alger
non and bowed again, gracefully IN the
freight.
The girl was startled and angry
"How did you get in?" she asked.
Through the pantry window" re
turned Algernon; ~ and my dog anc
he motioned to the mongrel pup SIT
ting beside him on the great fur rug.
"A thief" sneered the girl. "Why
did you not take what you wanted al
cnco and leave?"
81 was waiting for you." said Alger
non. admiring eyes on the face OF the
Indignant girl.
| "Meanwhile." said she coolly, I an
glad to see that you have made your
self at home, as you certainly seen
! to have done
81 have" agreed Algernon. won