Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-22

boy.
Algernon shrugged village scanda
aside indifferently, meaningly, AM
turned again to the lamp.
"Why amt the one to blame him?
demanded the boy again, more hotly
you're Jim Brown, aren't you?
asked Algernon, pausing moment tt
put the question.
Eyes" .,..-
"Work at the store, don't you?"
eyes"
az thought you we're the one meant,
said Algernon darkly. He lighted TN
lamp and climbed into the car, start
ing II slowly that he might catch thu
how. last words and be sure tina
lanes advice to involve the other Eel
low had been successful in this case
Il had. The boys voice was tense
with excitement, curiosity and anger;
his round freckled face as seen In the
Iamnilieht was red, frowning. drawn
"sav" he demanded, "has any one
Noon telling YOU things about me?'
ooh we'll" said Algernon vaguely
soothingly discriminating, as he quick
ened the speed Of the car and lett the
unhappy youth alone in the middle o.
the road. in the darkness of the sum
mer night 80, 49,
He reached the top Of the hill on the
other side of the village, when he saw
the cutter of woman's white skirts
disannearing into the bushes at the
side of the road. 1t was early yet
Thought Algernon joyously, Hancock
had gone home without waiting fol
the moon to rise and here was Molly
coming down the road to meet him
Then cold reason told him that she not
O. " had not the slightest idea where
ne had gone but that she did not even
know he was gone.
Algernon climbed from the car and
waited a moment to hear, which way
she had gone. She was apparently 60
ing fast in a vain attempt to get as
far away as possible, for he caught
the sound of her breaking hastily
through the bushes and brambles. He
followed her and presently saw her
brought to halt by a barb-wire fence
Her arms were resting on the top wire
between the barbe and she was clearly
wrapped in dreamy contemplation OF
the marshy meadow-land and grove OF
pnarled and twisted trees beyond the
fence. for she did not turn, though it
seemed impossible that she should
not have heard him behind her.
Good evening" said Algernon, bow
ing calamity to her back.
Wood evening"" said she, not turn
ing Naround.
what are you doing?' he asked
pleasantly.
Nothing" said she, which was
evident.
Come and drive with me, then. It's
a grand night Come on. We shall
be in Brockton In twenty minutes; ten
II you say the word"
THANK you; but really, I-er-l am
busy"
ION night like this" urged Alger.
non, drawing nearer and whispering
into the small ear with the tender fall
in his voice he could not help. "On a
night like this, moonlit, cool, with a
good car, straight road, and-and-
why, it's pleasant"
Suddenly overcome with the embar
rassment she always aroused in him
when he realized that she was for the
time Mrs. Todd and he her chauffeur
he ended lamely and wondered why the
deuce he couldn't have done it better
and said what he had started out to
say relative to a glorious night and
good company.
II do not care to ride, Joe,' said
she clearly and sweetly. "Mr. Han
cock went early and came out fol
= little walk She stopped, realizing
that she had made a foolish mistake
explaining her actions and those OF
her guest to her chauffeur. What in
terest should he have in the matter?
Emboldened by her mistake, Alger'
non drew nearer and sought to see
Into her averted face. please come, y
he teased. TITS like swimming"
She laughed and turned, the bar.
riers down again by her own fault
After this she would have to be more
careful. Hancock had gone home in
pique, vowing that she was thinking
of another besides himself. and she
had denied that she was thinking of
anyone and knew that she was not tell.
Ing the truth when she did so. After
tonight she would be more careful.
Algernon, realizing that the Ice was
once more breaking, laughed too.
If clothes don't make gentleman
does a motor carr" he asked lightly,
holding aside the branches that she
might pass.
q don't know" said she. Does
IT."
That said Algernon, is conun'
drum like a telegram announcing the
coming of your mother-in-law. There
Is no answer; provided, in the latter
case, you want to tell the truth and at
the same time keep the peace"
"Poor mother-in-laws," said she and
laughed, feeling vaguely irritated. Joe
might be married for all she knew to
the contrary. 'I suppose you have suf.
fered yourself from one, or you would
not know"
mo- said Algernon cheerfully. my
childlike faith In humanity has not
yet been shaken, and l am going tc
see that it never is. When I marry
am going to marry an orphan with
a million dollars and an affidavit that
she has no living relatives"
poor orphan!' said she and laughed