Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-25
Copyright, The Dobbs-aIcrrill Company.

They were near the gates OF Castle
Crags. Through the trees they could
see the stables and farther on catch
glimpses of the chimneys and gables
Of the house itself. Algernon kept his
eyes on the wheel and said nothing
Don't you see?" she asked sharply.
Eyes," said Algernon, II see. He
would be a cad if he throw you over.
But you are such cynic, Molly. |
should think believing as you do, that
you would hate to take the chances Of
a man not being a cad" l.
you would have me give up all
hopes of this" with gesture en-
bracing her clothes, the car, the wide
gates and tho pleasant vista Of wind.
ing driveways and well-kept lawns
"for the questionable possibility Of dis
covering that another man Is cad.
Stop the car and let us argue this out.
Stop the car, say"
Algernon redeemed uncomfortably,
but he stopped the car, moro to give
her time to regain her selfkcontrol
than from any intention of arguing it
out with her.
do what you want, Molly" said he.
Its too fine point for my intellect
to solve. am not going to say a
word. do not even know 1t is
right in the matter I never could d.
vide a hair 'twixt south and southwest
side"
"If you think it is wrong. and hold
your tongue, now that you know my
crimes, you are as bad as I am. You
are an accessory after and before the
act"
81 want to be bad" said Algernon
cheerfully. 1T will be change. I
was afraid was becoming officially
original"
''You are certainly becoming fool.
if you are not already One," snapped
the girl.
You flatter me-" murmured Alger-
non.
81 do, indeed. Go on am sick of
this discussion I shall do as like"
AS they drew up at the terrace
steps, the parlor maid came to the
door and called out cheerfully that Mr..
Hancock had come in the motor-boat
and said he would be waiting down at
the wharf for Mrs. Todd when she re-
turned. Molly nodded and let Alger.
non help her from the car,
He gathered up her bundles to take
them to the house, but she insisted on
carrying them herself, and as he laid
them in hor arms, he whispered to her
not to forget the papers.
Publicity will spoil your plan hope.
lessly, Molly" he warned her. Don't
let there be too much gossip until you
pull the thing off,"
This is my plan," returned the girl
coldly, mine, do you understand?
do not care to have it interfered with.
Algernon discreetly touched his cap,
climbed into the car and drove to the
garage. His policy with his mothers
sex was always to retreat If possible
If not to yield, gracefully and at once.
There was a time" said he to the
yaller pup, when I thought l under.
stood women. But now-you live and
learn, pupsie." He shook his head
whimsically and gently pulled the
pups short rough ears.
The shadows were growing long,
reaching across the beach to the
waters edge. Algernon lay on the
sand, his back against rock. Before
him stretched the ocean. on and on, to
the far horizon. His sloop, slim and
graceful, rose and fell In the quiet
waters of the little cove as If beckon-
ing him to come and open the closed
cabin, unfurl the long idle sails and go
to seek the never fond land Of perfect
content, over the sea, in the soft pink
clouds Of the afterglow. Behind him
were the woods. swaying in the even
~ n~{v
filed with the scent OF ferns, ever
greens and rich dark soil In virgin
sweetness. But for the dog at his feet
and few sea-guls, winging their way
across the sunset sky, Algernon was
alone The only sounds were the Sob
bling of the ocean and the dismal wall
of the bell-buoy.
II suppose you think me terrible"
said the clear sweet voice of her whom
he was thinking.
Algernon jumped up. She had cross
ed the sands unheard and was standing
few feet away, looking at him like
naughty child, mischievous, and withal
wistful. She wore no hat, but a large
fluffy parasol, aslant over one shoulder
threw into relief her head with its
crown Of black hair. 1t was raised
now, with small square chin up-tilted,
and saucy eyes half yelled under long
silky lashes.
"I suppose you think me terrible"
she repeated. But you are not so
good yourself. joe"
Algernon laughed and swept her a
low bow. Come and sit down and tell
me how it feel to have guilty con.
science" said he.
She dropped him a mocking little
curtsy. Thank you. was afraid
you thought had no conscience"
"You would rather have guilty con-
science than none?" ......
wouldn't your"
II can't say. I have none.'
Poor joe said she. She walked
to the waters edge and stood mo-
ment watching the waves slip softly
up the sand nearly to her white shoes.
The pup ran to her and she bent and
patted his little head. He leaped
away. joyfully awkward. picked up
stick and tore up the beach with it to
Algernon. She laughed and followed
him.
"We were ont all the morning." said