Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-12
Evening Story
GIRL OF THE MARSH
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate,)
BY Temple Bailey.

John Deland, shooting over the
marshes of the Chesapeake, gave
himself up to the spell of sky and
sea and wide spaces. He had been
shut up for so many years in stuffy
little office, making his way in the
world, rising from the poverty Of an
orphan boy to some eminence as q
lawyer in big city.
And now he was shooting ducks
without thought Of business cares.
Ia fortunate investment had made
him rich.
He did not look like millionaire,
however, in his canvas shooting coat
and soft hat, nor did he feel like one.
Three ducks and a couple of birds,
he said to the man who rowed his
boat. well have them for supper,
West"
West beamed "My old woman shall
cook them" he promised and II you
want oysters. there's plenty for a
roast"
Deland laughed. I'm as hungry
as bear-let's 60 in. SO that Mrs.
West can begin"
West rowed the boat slowly. The
sun had set, and the stretches Of bay
to the east were Swallowed by purple
mists; to the west the marshes lay
tinged with faint silver in the after
glow.
John took off his hat and barred his
forehead. Az his eyes swept the
marsh he leaned forward. West
he asked quickly. whats that white
thing over there beyond the point?'
THAT" West turned, that's the
marsh girl-she lives with her old
aunt in a shanty at the Point. No
body knows anything about her. She
lust slips out in her boat and fishes
and shoots, and you mostly see her at.
ter the sun Is down. The darkies
around the place are afraid of her.
They think she's spirit"
AS the girl came closer Deland did
not wonder at the awe of the negroes.
Floating silently. the boat seemed to
carry supernatural passenger. The
girl of the marsh was dressed In white,
her features, blurred in the dimness
gave a hint Of wonderful beauty.
The boats passed each other. and
the girl went out into the night as
silently as she had come.
When she had disappeared John
Deland drew long breath. Strange
he said, Ito find such a woman In
this place"
While his supper was cooking John
Deland sat on the porch with Vests
two dogs at his feet, and gave him
self up to- the thoughts Of the mo
ment-and his thoughts were of the
girl.
Even as he thought Of her she came
out of the shadows. The dogs stood
up, watching her, their tails family
wagging a welcome. John stood up
too, and saw that she was running.
my aunt" she gasped, lis very I'LL
I must have some one--at once.
| John opened the door and called to
West. There's something the mat
ter at the little house on the point
the aunt is i'll. I'll run straight on"
Even as he finished speaking the
girl had turned and was flying back,
The dogs tore after John as he fol.
lowed her.
when reached home" the girl
painted, Il found my aunt on the
floor. lifted her to the couch, but
she could not speak"
The old woman lay on the couch,
her eyes wide open, her face drawn
John bent over her. "She mustn't be
moved" he said. make her as com.
Portable as you can. I'm going to
have West go to town for nurse
This isn't case for you"
The girl drew him out into the
hall. SIS she very ill.,"
"She has had stroke" John said
gently. 'She will need some one
who understands how to take care
of her expertly; that's why want
/ you to have a nurse"
The girls lip quivered. But
| can't afford nurse"
1--WE won't talk OF that" said John
"You must let me be .neighborly."
West came soon with his wife
and in little while the poor room
was turned into hospital. Mrs
West sent the men back to supper
with injunctions to bring her some
thing to eat.
"And something for this poor
dear" she said, looking at the girl
She'll faint and drop If we don't
look OUT
How good you are" said the
girl, and began to weep wildly.
didn't know people could be so good.
Late that night Mrs. West talked
to John. 1--WE got her to go to bed,
she said, "and the nurse is with the
aunt. You don't know how badly
feel about that poor girl. 1t Seems
that she and her aunt had a hard
time. The girls mother was on the
stage and the aunt took care Of the
child until the mother died. Then
they had nothing to live on, and
finally they just made up their mindt
| to go to some place where they could
| see the sky and fields. And they got
this little place for almost nothing
and they've lived on what the CIR
could catch, and they haven't beer
neighborly because they thought NJ
one would want to know them. lt's
pitiful."
Eyes, it u.s." said John.
! A week later the little old aun
drifted away on the tides which touch
the shores Of eternity and then Johr