Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-04
Copyright, The Bobbs-Aierrill Company.

to the village. She would not be
gainsaid and Algernon gave in with a
sudden vague. but half-formed idea
that she was in some way suspicious
of him and wanted to see what became
of him.
Where shall take you?" she asked
as they started back.
ITO the hotel, please" said Alger-
non. Il am stranger in these parts
She looked at him curiously, and he
saw the desire to question him frankly
in her eyes. wonders where my
1T is a beautiful place. said she,
"but very. very slow. Indeed it
seems as if it, too, had baked"
Baking" said Algernon gafly, "is
right In my line"
eft certainly is,' said she. laughing.
But do not suppose you will be here
long enough to have to make use OF
IT, Her wc"ds were either statement
or question and Algernon perferred to
take them for the former
~ would hate to have to set the
town On fire." said he.
II hope you would leave first said
she, politely trying to- learn the ex-
tent of his stay.
II should certainly have to after
ward said Algernon cheerfully.
"If you are going to be here, long"
said she, not looking at him, 81 ad-
wise you to get rooms at the old Misses
Aliens if you can. You will like it
much better than at the hotel"
II shan't be here long" said Alger-.
- Sr,O tn
politely discovering his intentions and
wondering what she wanted to know
them for, modestly aware that she was
rather anxious to have him 20.
They drove back, past the town
pump, past the store and up the vii
lage street to the gapnt. unattractive
hotel. It had once been white but was
now p dull gray With dusty sagging
blinds and dreary dirty windows. The
long narrow porch in front was desert
ed, and the girl for some reason
seemed relieved as she drew up and
Algernonf once more alighted.
"Thahk you SO much" said she,
amusement and friendly admiration
lighting for a second the deep blue
eyes and twitching the corners of her
dimpling mouth. 1T was SO so
thoughtful in you. Good-by."
Thank you for the lift returned
Algernon, raising his hat as he stood
on the porch steps, the dog beside
him.
mot at ALL" said she, distantly po-
lite once more, and turning the cart,
she drove rapidly away, sitting erect
and graceful in the high ungainly cart,
charmingly dainty In her soft white
dress and large black hat, his coat for
gotten on the seat beside her.
Dinner was sad affair, eaten IN
lonely grandeur in the big empty din
ing-room, served by clumsy maid OF
all work Algernon ate hastily. gave
his last nickel to the maid servant as
a tip and departed. :,
The front stoop of the one and only
store the village boasted was the
lounging place Of the village elect.
Here war was declared and fought to
triumphant conclusion. peace rati-
fed, presidents were elected. blamed
and censured trusts abolished and repu-
tations made and lost, here in the old
weather-beaten stoop, in the drowsy
warmth of summer afternoon, While
the village slumberd and only the
ceaseless drone Of insects and the low
monotonous chant of the sea broke the
heavy country silence. The runaway
was a topic of thrilling interest, in
GLIDING as 1t did, not only the notorf
GUS Elizabeth. but a stranger, a man
and young. Who was he and where
did he ccme from? And what had
made Elizabeth run? Gosh!
The hero of the adventure, approach
ing at that moment, stopped all con
lecture as old man Brown hailed him.
Had a bit of runaway" called the
old man.
Algernon strolled up, NANCY yalle1
pup at his heels. pushed his hat on
the back of his head and selected a
comfortable packing box for an hours
peaceful rest. It rather panied him
that one Of his horses. sent to Maine
early in the summer when his mother
had left for Europe, should already
have acquired Elizabeth's reputation.
yes said he. and added: that Is
q fine horse, fine horse" He nodded
approvingly, with the calm air of a
conncisseur in horse-fesh, and draw
ing fouth his pine, filled it slowly al
though still musing on the undisputec
worth of his mothers favorite steed
The pup -curled up at his feet IN the
shade and went to sleep.
"r guess YOU be from the city, sug
gested Higgins, the storekeeper, kind
ly. The others chuckled.
Algernon lighted his pipe and toss
ed away the match. From severa
Cities" he admitted. thereby confirm
ing their suspicion that he was drum
mer and had left his cases at Brock
ten until he found if there was an!
chance TO make a sale at the small
village of North Brockton. my fathe
owned . stock farm down in kentuck!
where the finest horses in the worlt
are raised you know"
There was surprised silence
Clearly the youth was not lying, TO-
there was no reason for him to do SC
and in the country one does not III
without reason. Could it be possible
that Elizabeth had been misjudged
That she was as fine In every way a
she looked? The stranger must know
about horses. Not only was he from
Kentuscy, but his tones were calml!
positive. firm with the knowledge o
one who knew, and impressive a
from one who had no object in prais
inc tho horse IT wasn't his and h.