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

|
ing to hear what Holmes said in reply
hurried away through the woods.
i Instead of taking the path to the
garage he chose the one through the
rhododendron bushes to the great
| house. But the stretch Of lawn before
1T was empty and after waiting mo
/, ment or so. he decided that Molly hac
repented of her friendliness and was
not going to have any more OF 1t, IN
stead, taking her swim decorously
after breakfast at the regular bathing
beach.
| CHAPTER TX.
Endearing Young Charms.
Molly ordered one of the cars for ten
o'clock. and promptly on the hour AL
gernon rolled to the door, feeling that
all was we'll again, for the girls voice
over the telephone had been friendly
! the good-natured tones Of Molly
! OToole and not the austere ones OF
Mrs. Todd she was wont to assume
when she sought to keep him In his
place. Molly appeared on the terrace,
drawing on her gloves. She paused a
moment in the full glory Of the sum-
the house, the lawn. the woods and
the sparkling sea. The morning, as
| It advanced, had become clear, warm.
/ drowsy, the air heavy with the cdor
of freshly cut grass and moist, newly
turned earth, while the breeze that
wandered seaward brought with 1t the
scent Of balsam and sun-warmed pine
needles. The birds raised a joyous
discordant clamor among the vines
that covered the house, and from the
distant fields came the steady hum OF
a thrashing-machine.
Pausing in the open doorway, Molly
drank in the sweetness of the morn
ing. head uplifted, a graceful slender
figure with the background of ivy and
brownstone walls. Her gown, as usual,
was white, exquisite in its well-made
perfectly fitting simplicity. her large
charming hat was of the same color,
and between the embroidered hem OF
her gown and the rim of her dainty
white shoes, one caught glimpse OF
| slim ankles incased in the softest OF
white silk stockings. She carried
herself with girlish dignity that was
piquantly emphasized by the saucy
little nose and the dimples at the cor
iners of her crimson mouth. Algernon
! gazed at her with the calm satisfaction
Of an artist in sartorial art, and the
gardener, wedding the pansy bed at
the foot of the terrace steps, stopped
his labor to stare frankly.
She wished the gardener gay good
morning, nodded to Algernon and
climbed into the car, giving him a
feeting glance of amused understand
ing that filled him with warm glow
of delight.
What do you Think" she asked as
they turned out of the gates; do l act
| the great lady well?"
"You are one," declared Algernon
his voice athrill with the glance she
had given him.
"Do I act like rich one?' she per-
sisted. zone to the money born?"
IT couldn't do it BETTER" declared
Algerncn.
"You!" she laughed.
Algernon blushed. "I always feel,
! said he airiliy, that l and perfection
are one"
THAT must be comforting" said she
at is agreed Algernon. why
didn't you come in swimming this
morning."
81 started. but I found the beach
occupied He didn't see me, though
and crept back. Is he the stranger
we raced WITH"
YES said Algernon. HE won't
come again, though. He is only wait
ing for part of his car to come from
Boston and then he is going on to Can
ada"
81 hope he won't come again. said
she. ~ like to swim before break
fast and should hate to give it up"
"He won't come" said Algernon re
assuringly.
They said no more as they rode to
/ the village. Molly was busy with
thoughts for the coming lawn party
and Algernon with thoughts Of her
He would win her away from Hancock
and keep her for himself. His mother
always said that he would be married
simply because of the money he
owned. He would show her that II
was not so, that unaided, unknown, an
| humble chauffeur, he could win the one
girl worth winning away from money
itself. He would beat Hancock In the
race for woman's hand, Hancock with
+, the advantage of his wealth and posi-
ton. he himself in the humble guise OF
a servant, without money or reputa
! ton.
They stopped in front of the village
store and while Molly went in, Alger
non sat in the car and dreamed, in the
drowsy warmth of the long dusty
street. He caught a glimpse Of Mr.
Holmes lounging on the porch OF the
hotel, but passed him simply with a
! wave of the hand. Mr.. Holmes made
no attempt to claim his friendship
Presently Molly returned, her arms full
of bundles, and accompanied to the
door by the admiring Higgins.
The storekeeper helped her into the
car and arranged her bundles with
great care.
Don't forget tomorrow and my
party" said she gaily.
Higgins beamed, and swore he would
be there
Cant I send my car for you ane
your wife,"
Higgins protested and after good