Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-10

ccme out one by one overhead, and
the horizon come nerrer and nearer
with the black wall Of night. After a
time he rose and went In. He was
filled with nvague longing for ne
knew not what, and wandered restless
ly through the library, drawing-rooms
and dining-room. For companys SAKE,
he touched a match to the logs in the
hall fireplace, and drew up a chair as
on the first evening, barely month
ago. He took his old smoke-olackened
pipe from his pocket and filled and
lighted it. long time later. door
opening aroused him from fitful
doze. He sat up and turned around.
He felt the freshness of the night
blowing through the open door and
heard low voices, mans and
woman's mingled. then Molly's quiet
distinctly. saying good night. Han,
cock answered and the door shut.
Molly, turning, saw him by the light
of the dying fire and came slowly for
ward. She was in white, with little
red Jacket, her hands thrust in Its
pockets, her dark head bare. She
looked sad and depressed. Her mouth
dropped like tired child's and her
eyes were filled with wistful longing.
She sank down on the huge carved
settee and held out her hands to the
blaze, shivering a. little. ,Algernon
stirred up the fire and threw on some
more logs. though she protested that
she was warm enough and must go to
bed, anyway. 1t was late.
Its just the edge Of the evening"
objected Algernon, drawing up big
chair. "Sit here. We want TO talk,
you and l."
Still murmuring that 1t was late and
shte must really go to bed. she sank
into the soft depths of the chair with
a contented sigh.
81 should think you would be tired
talking to- that empty-headed Boston
ian all day" said Algernon, looking
down at her tenderly, bit of red and
white in the depths of the big chair,
the freight playing on her delicate
face and dark hair.
II am she admitted truthfully, her
eyes on the fire.
why do you do it, child? We are
tired of him now,.yeu and l. We have
played the game and / have won. He
is a useless pawn. Throw him
aside.'
The girl did not look up or answer.
Algernon sat down on the settee be-
side her chair and leaned forward, his
elbows on his knees. his hands locked
together before him.
Molly, look at me, dear have
something / want to say. must say.
MOLLY, darling, listen-above every
thing in the world, want you. love
you. Marry me dear, and let us be
done with this vulgar sham
"Oh, Joe, don't-not tonight-never!
can't marry you" She edged away
from him as far as the arm OF the
chair would lett her and shook her
head stubbornly, empratically.
Look at me-" cried Algcrnon. "Ah,
you can't do 1t, you can't do it. Molly,
girl, you know you love me-" He was
On his feet and had drawn her into his
arms, little red Jacket and all. Molly,
Molly" he whispered kissing her soft
warm cheeks, her eyelids. the great
folds of her raven hair,
For a moment she was passive. then
she wrenched herself away and steod
at distance, flushed and disheveled,
her hands busy fastening back the
loose locks that tumbled over her tenn
pies and eyes.
"This is foolish said she, not look
ing at him. Il am going to bed. You
had better go, too. Good night
She turned Algernon did not move.
She glanced over her shoulder.
Good night, joe" she repeated.
Wait" said Algernon. I'VE have
to settle this thing now, you and /.
We can't leave it as it is, Molly"
(To Be Continued.)