Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-04-10

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Then, logically, should be carry
ing your svalise," retorted Bob.
"Ha! ha! That's good" The fellow
had been transporting the overflow
OF Mrs. Ralston's guests for years,
but he had never met quite such an
eccentric one as this. He chuckled
now as II 1t were the, best joke. "Pll
tell you what--I'll take 1t for nothing,
and leave 1t to you what you give
mel" Maybe, for joke, he'd get
fifty-dollars, not cents. These young
millionaire men did perpetrate little
funnyisms like that. Why, one OF
them had once beat him down"
quarter on his fare and then given
him ten dollars for a tip. "Ha! ha!"
repeated the fellow, surveying Bob's
elegant and faultfess attire, I'll do 1t
for nothing, and you"
Bob walked away carrying his grip.
Here he was telling the, truth and he
wasn't believed. The man took him
for one Of those irresponsible merry
fellows. That was odd. Was it aus,
picious? Should he derive encour.
agement therefrom? Maybe the 9th
ers would only say "Ha! hal" when
he told the truth. But though he
tried to feel the fellows attitude was
a good omen, he didn't succeed very
we'll.
No use trying to deceive himself!
Might as we'll get accustomed to that
truth-telling habit even in his own
thoughts! That diabolical trio of
friends had seen palmer than he.
They had realized the dazzling diff
culties of the task confronting him.
How they we're laughing In their
sleeves now at darn fool Bob" Bob,
q young Don Quixote sallying forth
to attempt the impossible! The pre-
ppsterous part Of the whole business
was that his role was preposterpus.
Why, he really and-truly, in his trans
formed condition, ought to be just
like every one else. That he was a
unique exception figure alone in
his glory, or ingloriously alone-was
fine commentary on this old world,
anyhow.
What an old humbug Of q world 1t
was, he thought, when, passing before
the one and only bookstore the little
village boasted of, he ran plump into,
or almost into, Miss Gwendoline Ger.
aid
80 Que, 6L luaI uOAAcuI, Ahu JuSS
emerged from the shop with a supply
of popular magazines in her arms. A
gracious expression Immediately -sof-
tened the young ladys lovely patriot
an features and she extended hand.
AS in dream Bob looked at it, for
the fraction Of second. It was a
beautiful, shapely and capable hand.
It was also sunburned. 1t looked like
the hand of a young woman who
would grasp what she wanted and
wave aside peremptorily what she
didn't want 1t was strong hand.
but it was also an adorable hand. It
went with the proud but lovely face.
It supplemented the steady, direct,
violet eyes. The pink nails cleaned
like sea shells. Bob set down the grip
and took the hand. His heart was go
ing fast.
"Glad to see YOU, said Miss Gwen
doline.
Bob remained silent. He was glad
and he wasn't glad. That is to say,
he was delirioHsly glad and he knew
he ought not to be. He found 1t diff
cult to conceal the effect she had upon
him. He dreaded, too, the outcome OF
that meeting. SO, how should he an
swer and yet tell the truth? 1t was
considerable of a poser" he conclud-
ed. as he strove to collect his per-
turbed thoughts.
.tWell, why don't you say some
thing?" she asked.
Lovely day" observed Bob.
The violet eyes drilled into him
slightly. Shades Of Hebe!' but she
had fine figure! She looked great
next to Bob. Maybe she knew 1t.
Perhaps that was why she was just
shade more friendly and gracious
to him than to some Of the others.
They two appeared SO well together.
He certainly did set her of.
&. us that all you have to say?' asked
Miss Gwendoline after moment
"Let me put those magazines in the
trap for you?" said Bob. making
a desperate recovery and indicating
the smart rig at the curb as he spoke.
Thanks" she answered. make
yourself useful And gave them to
him. But there was now slight re-
serve on her part His manner had
slightly puzzled her. There was a
constraint, or -offishness about
him that seemed to her rather new
symptom in him. What did it mean?
Had he misinterpreted her "Will
you?" The violet eyes flashed slight
ly, then she laughed How ridiculous.-
"There!' You did it very well,' she
commended him mockingly.
Thanks" said Bob awkwardly, and
shifted. 1t would be better If she let
him 60 Those awful things he might
say?-that she might make him say?
But she showed no disposition to per-
nit him to depart at once. She ling
cred. People didn't usually seek to
terminate talks with her. AS q. rule
they just stuck and stuck around and
it was hard to get rid of them. Did
she divine his uneasiness? Bob show
ed he certainly wasn't enjoying him
self The violet eyes grew more and
more puzzled.
what a brilliant conversationalist
you are today, Mr.. Bennett" she re-
marked with a trace Of irony in her
tones.