Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-15
Evening Story
THIRTY MINUTES OF GRACE.
Nv Richard Barker Shelton.
copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure


downright, 1918, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)
Kalter Jumped of the front plat
form before the train had come 70 a
stop, tore up the platform. all but up
setting an unwary old gentleman Nho
stepped in his way. apoloeized over
his shoulder. tumbled headlong into a
taxi and beloved an address and On
offer OF bonus for breaking few
speed laws to the chauffeur. =
Then he fidgeted about on the
cushions until the cab drew up at the
curb and he tore up fight of steps
and gave a strident ring at the door
bell.
A maid admitted him, took his card
and found him chair In the upset
front room.
All about were boxes and crates
and bundles of rugs in burlap. The
windows were guiitfess OF either
shades or draperies. A great pile CT
loose ashes in the bare fireplace told
of the recent burning OF useless
things there.
He heard the patter Of footsteps on
the bare front stairs, and his name
was spoken very softly, almost tlmid'
ly.
ward to catch both tic girls hands IN
his own He noticed those hands
were rather cold and that they tremo'
led within his own He could have
blessed them for that.
81 wrote you good-by Jack said
the girl.
Exactly" said he 81 got the let.
ter at camp Last night. 1t was
padded with two guides down to
Still river There l got car and
drove forty miles to Renforth juno
ton. I made the express by the skin
CT nv teeth, and here am
She smiled, he thought bit sadly
at was quite useless-all that trou'
BILE" said she,
Maybe" said he grimly like man
who speaks OF defeat. but will not
admit 1t.
ut is all settled. You see We arc
giving up the house here" @
He looked about him. His lips shu'
tightly. s
She nodded. I'VE are leaving ID
half an hour"
He pulled out his watch. Then ne
looked at the girl. She was in gray
travelling gown. She even had hef
hat on.
80 have thirty minutes Of grace
he said.
Eyes, think can grant you, that.
Thank you. 1t will be quite
enough" he said.
"You care for him." he began.
The girl lifted her eyebrows. "Of
course she said.
"Of course not" he snapped We
hemently. Don't dare to tell me
that. You don't care for him. You
don't even care for his money. You
are doing this thing because you
think it your duty. Duty! BAH!
give of your thirty minutes gone,
she reminded him.
"Ill make better use Of the other
twenty-five, said he grimly: "lsn'1
it your duty to be happy"
Il shall be-"
He made a grimace. "Oh. yes
you'll be very happy. You'll sit II
high places, and you'll have every
thing that money can buy or heart
can wish. But you'll think often OF q
long, dusty road, and a little wheel
ing old two-cylinder road car, and q
certain little country inn down Peter
sham way, and
DON'T" she said SO sharply tina,
he started violently.
He bit his lips to hide smile Of
triumph.
q won't think Of them-ever-
eyer-ever!" she cried. Nor Of yoI
I-never!"
Eyes, you will--just as shall think
OF you. ] can't help It. Neither car
you. | took it calmly when you TOLD
me your plans. let you take of the
ring and give 1t back to me. sale
I'd 70 away and forget you. l,
seemed best all round. You wanted
things couldn't give you-money
position, and all that. thought yOl
honestly wanted them more than any
thing else in the world. But when the
real test came, when you wrote me-
YOU were to go abroad Thursday to be
maui Wy AAy AAAAu w ! IA
down here and make sure you wonlt
be happy before gave you up forever
know now you won't be happy. 70,
told me so when you wouldn't lei me-
talk about the ripping times we hat
"Don't!' she said.
There you go again." said he
"How ia it going to be afterward wher
it's too late? II you can't think O
them now, how about them"
y shall never think Of them" sht
together before
said in queer shaking voice.
81 think you will" said he.
She turned away. Then she facet
him with a hard light in her eyes
you are wicked-wicked to com,
here and taunt me like this and to-
to make ii SO hard for me-" she farce
at him.
/ "I'm just trying to make II easy
dear-easy for both Of u.s. said he
I'm trying to show you your owl
mind-that you care more for wha
has been than what is to be-"
She turned away her head again
Its too late now. It's got to be a
it isl