Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-05

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! her, hat in hand.
Hello said he. ION your way t
| the village?"
She bowed coldly and for moment
struggled to remain distant, behind the
barriers of mistress to impudent ser
want, and Algernon felt the old embar
rassment beginning to mount in hin
and nullify every intelligent thought
II do not know when shall gel
there, but am on my way" said she
and smiled irresistibly, sudden mis-
chievous, halfchild. half-woman glee
sweeping over her face in joyous rec
ognition Of her foolish predicament
Algernon laughed with relief. She
was the same, quaint and laughing
and adorable, like the Glove pinks and
johnny.jump-ups, back in his mothers
old-fashioned garden.
Did you forget to set the alarm
clock?" he asked gaily. 81 waited and
waited for you this morning and you
did net come"
She smiled again and then frowned
recalling her determination of last
night that it would be best for all
concerned to discourage Joe bit more
than she was doing 81 am sorry you
waited" said she gravely.
She gathered I'D the reins and CHR
ruped to Elizabeth, plainly wishing to
avoid his society Elizabeth flicked
her tail slowly, Topped one small ear
and stood still.
ITS no USE laughed Algernon.
you can't leave me with Elizabeth
as the motor power ! want to talk
to you. | am going to get in"
He pushed the dog along and
climbed in
Please" begged the girl with sud.
den rush of CONSERVATION. There is
nothing to talk about"
Eyes, there is" contradicted Alger-
non promptly. why didn't you come
in swimming this morning."
Because" said she.
Because" said he. lis woman's
reason
Il am woman said she.
He laughed in gay derision. You're
little tiny girl. Just about four years
old"
Her face darkened wistfully. 81
wish were,' said she.
You are" said he.
~ shall tell you what am said she
with quick rush of self-disgust. II
am swindler and forger."
She looked at him defiantly and Al.
gernon flushed. II forged the check"
said he.
you did it for me, SO I am to
blame"
you told me not to and I insisted
"Piffle. and you know it, Joe. am
all to blame. I have led you into
crime and it's weighing on me ter
ribly. Joe. wish you would go away.
Go on north to your relatives"
Dear said Algernon, laying his
hand on hers. II didn't cut my first
tooth yesterday
81 know, but you never forged be-
fore you met me. made you lose
your honor and l wish you would go
away. Think of your mother, joe"
my mother will never know, dear.
Don't worry about my honor. Think
of your own"
She WINGED as though he had struck
her and grew slowly white. IT have
none,'' said she holly.
mot If you sell yourself body and
soI body and soul, Molly, to the high
est bidder
II haven't yet" -
"You will. He will ask you, but be-
fore he does take my advice, Molly,
and tell him who you are, tell him all.
He loves you"
Love-" she sneered, tears in her
xry(l1 III -
"Try him." pleaded Algernon earn
estly, leaning toward her that he might
see beneath the brim of her hat. "Try
him, Molly. Go to him with nothing
concealed, clean and sweet and true
as you can be when you want to. He
cares for you. He will understand"
Understand! He has forty mil
lions. What can a man with that
amount understand about temptation,
about hunger and sickness and pow
erty?"
What If he doesn't understand, he
will forgive. We all have to be for
given, sooner or later, Molly"
Hes a man." she sneered. "And
it's only women who can fEgive,
seventy times seven"
There's no sex in love, Molly. A
mans is the same as woman's, and
love forgives everything"
and if he forgives me and still
wants to marry me, would you advise
me to take him." she questioned al
most fiercely.
Yes" said Algernon slowly, IF you
do not care for another more"
"Sell myself, body and soul?" she
tainted him gleefdlly, for she read
the love in his voice even when he
advised her to accept Hancock.
II know, but I have been thinking
about what you said yesterday, safe
and protected, than out in the world
alone, If you won't marry me- You
will learn to love him, and he will take
care of you, anyway"
Elizabeth showed signs Of return
ing life. and Molly gathered up the
reins. II have waited so long,
think, shall 60 back now, instead Of
to the village as intended said she.
thankful to dismiss the subject. Shall
/ drive you home, Joe?'
mo, thanks said Algernon. II
have my car back there. left it up
the road a bit"
He climbed out and she watched him
with puckered brows.