Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-01
Copyright. The Bobbs-AIerrill Company.

--zsa----3syDks 7IL Copy
CHAPTER II Continued.
Algernon escorted her to the door,
then ssauntered around the house to
the rose-garden. The air was heavy
with the scent Of flowers. Over in the
east the silver bow OF the moon was
SINKING slowly toward the tree-tops,
throwing the shrubs and bushes in
sharp silhouettes against the. sky and
making the sheltered places darker
than ever Algernon stood moment
TO contemplate the beauty of the
scene then he drew a little breath
and lighted cigar.
ION such night as this" he be-
kan softly. when he noticed that there
was some one sitting at the foot of the
sun-dial. Surely it was not his
mother! She would hardly be mus
ing on the beauties of the night by
the silyery light OF the new moon IN
the quiet seclusion of the rose garden.
Besides, he had but just left her at the
front door. He threw away his cigar
and drew nearer. It was girl in a
white dress. Her head was thrown
back and the moon shone full on her
soft black hair, on her stif white
skirt and tailored waist, the costume
Of his mothers maid in summer.
mothers maid" thought Algernon,
and bent to whisper in the small ear
nearer him:
with hair as black rs the DEVILS
heart"
The girl turned her head. and her
teeth cleaned in the moonlight,
through the curve Of her saucy mouth.
She raised her arms and clasped her
hands behind her head.
"And what Of her eyes" she
drswled.
sWith eyes Of blue, true blue,
IN whose darkling depths lose my
whenever come to WOO"
Alserpon leaned on the sun-dial and
repeated all the verses in soft cad
ence. his eyes on the girls profile,
barely discernible in the dark, as she
sat sidewise, chin uplifted. When he
finished, she raised her laughing eyes
to his face. :,
inspiration or memory" she asked
gaily.
"Inspjration," said Algernon softly.
"I was inspired this morning when
saw you in the rose-garden among
the bees and butterflies"
"Me?" she questioned In surprise.
"You," breathed Algernon, "a wild
Irish rose"
Her lids fell a moment over her eyes
and she laughed at him through the
heavy lashes. "Ah, yes" said she,
"but surely love alone could have in
spired those lines. Maybe your love
has black hair like mine, and mine
made you think of hers and so OF her.
And when do you 60 to woo?"
when the moon is near the zenith"
said Algernon, sinking in q sea Of
silver light
"You had better hurry, then The
moon has almost sunk. Would you
keep your lady waiting?
III she were waiting, it was not for
me. fear" said Algernon, cropping
for the others hand.
t.Does she care for another then?'
asked the girl, folding her hands de-
murely in her lap and gazing dreamily
at the moon above the tree-tops.
Her voice was low, sweet and we'll.
modulated, and for all the mischief
in her eyes. she held herself with
dignity and reserve Algernon had
never found before in his mothers
maids. She was different, not only
from other maids but girls in general,
and Algerhon realized that II he kissed
her, 1t would not be done easily. She
was laughing at him again under her
long black lashes.
He sat down beside her on the little
stone bench and she moved obligingly
away, drawing her dress primly aside.
mo-" he sighed, "she does not care
for me-" and he drew nearer.
Cant you make herr
"Can II"
"How do I know? do not know
the lady-or you"
1.-THE last can soon be remedied.'
said Algernon, and drew still nearer.
"How?" she asked.
Thus" said he, and tried to slip
his arm around the slim waist.
The girl rose with a little laugh.
mot soon, I guess" said she.
Algernon caught her hand. "Sit
down again." he pleaded. LET it
take one, two, three hours, the longer
the better"
1--WE are so different" she sighed.
when like a person, I want to be
friends right away"
"Do you want to be friends with
me, now, right away"
Chow can I tell? I have never seen
you. except now. in the dark" Her
voice Knocked and leased him from the
shadow Of the sun-dial thrown across
her face by the sinking moon.
+ ST know you want to be friends de.
clared Algernon, $50 come and sit
down.
"How do you know" she leased.
"They all do said Algernon, reach
ing for her hand. Come and sit
down."
Y The girl drew her hand away and
glanced at the moon now just visible
through the tree-tops. I'VE have no
time tonight said she. Look! In an
hour the moon will have sunk and then
YOU will have to wait until tomorrow
night before you can keep tryst with
your lady. You had better hasten and
il she be not far away, perhaps you
can reach her yet when the moon is