Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-01

III HeT udTk DIuo eyes. Ills HotACl o
favorite steed tapped one ear slowly,
and gently, languidly, whisked fly
from her flank with her tail. Alger.
non raised his hat with airy grace
and bowed gallantly In the dust of the
highway. His coat, ready made, cheap
but neat, hung over his arm. Beneath
the folds Of his long buster, one could
see his clean blue shirt with the soft
black tie like that Of his friend, Mr..
Holmes, and his narrow well-worn belt.
His shoes had clearly seen hard SER
vice, but were still whole, aud above
them, the modest rim of his black
socks bespoke rather a gentleman OF
limited means, than one of simple
tastes.
Her first surprise over at finding a
stranger where she had expected to
see no one, the girls startled fear
vanished and an amused little smile
dimpled her rosy cheeks. She return
ed his bow with gentle courtesy and
then settled herself comfortably in the
corner of the seat as one used by SAD
experience to the eccentricities of her
steed
T., Engine broken DOWN." inquired Al
gernon kindly.
1.-THE engines all right said she.
"Tire trouble?" suggested Algernon.
YES" said she, II guess that's it.
Algernon pulled once or twice at his
pipe and looked thoughtful. He had
spent many dismal hours in that same
dog-cart with his mother, devising
means. which his mother would never
allow him to try, to break the death
- a
lady thought herself perfectly COM
petent to drive. He felt for the girl
Its warm" said he after moment,
disliking to leave her alone IN her
trouble, which was apparently 1mmov'
able, and never averse to spending his
time in the society Of a pretty girl.
He decided in one of those rare flashes
of his, which he mistook for genius,
that he would not reveal his identity
Just yet. The situation of conversing.
unknown and unrecognized, with his
mothers housekeeper was amusing
and appealed to his whimsical fancy.
yes, said she, ut is quite warm"
Are these-er-equine musings
upon nature chronic" he asked, cor is
this merely a temporary forgetful'
ness?"
"It's becoming more than tenn
porary," said she, quite permanent.
Algernon gazed up into the laughing
blue eyes under the brim of the great
hat and for once in his life could think
of nothing to say. His mind was numb
and he wondered If he had had sun
stroke.
That's a nice cart" said he desper-
ately. compelled to say something to
end the agony, aware vaguely OF the
fact that she herself was amused and
had no intention of helping hem out.
EYES," said she demurely.
That did for the cart.
Its warm" remarked Algernon
again. feeling that his remarks were
hardly brilliant.
1T is warm" she agreed sweetly.
and gazed past him at the dog that
had followed him into the road and
now sat few feet behind him, tongue
out, humble adoring eyes on his tenn
porarily adopted master.
That's my dog" said Algernon, In
spired.
"Is it," said she. -
II found him back up the road"
did your asked she.
'He is a nice dog"
EYES," said she.
The dog having been exhausted as
a topic Of conversation. Algernon
strove heroically for another, while
the girl, aloft socially as we'll as ply
sically in the high cart, gazed dreamlly
before her, and the horse dozed placid
1y on. :,
gernon.
Home" repeated she.
els that far?" asked Algernon
ruwely.
mot far" said she, and turned her
attention to a distant glimpse of the
sea through break in the woods.
'Im not going far either" said Al
gernon.
'@Where are you going?' she asked
as one would question child.
Crazy" thought Algernon, but he
said aloud, ooh, to North Brockton,
guess"
II would offer you ride" said she,
her mouth suddenly dimpling and her
eyes laughing, "but I am not sure how
soon I shall start
II am in no hurry" said Algernon.
Get in then," said she politely,
ready to accept a situation that she
herself had created, though convinced
at the time that he would not under
the circumstances accept her oher.
Thanks" said Algernon.
"Put your dog in. Poor little thing!
See how warm he u.s."
Algernon picked up the dog. whose
eyes protruded with fright, while his
short tail tried in vain to get between
his coiled up, tapping back legs. The
girl moved farther along, and Alger..
non deposited the dog on the floor OF
the cart, climbing in himself just in
time to grab the pup who made one
wild bound for the liberty and safety
Of the road. :.
i, "Put him on the seat between u.s.
said the girl, patting the place. "You
can hold him more easily"
Algernon did as she said and settled
back in his corner, feeling that they
were all three there for the rest OF
eternity.
Can you make her go?" asked the
girl, nodding her graceful head at the
recalcitrant nag.