Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-05-18

of talking?
well, why don't you speak?'
ut is true l went in Miss Dolly's
room, but I thought it was my room,
said Bob monotonously. 1T was q
mistake" And Bob told how the
brooch happened to fall to the floor
Strange to say, truth didn't ring in his
accents. He hadn't much confidence
at that moment in the old saw that
truth is mighty and will prevail
Truth wasn't mighty: it was mon
ster that sucked your hearts blood
And Bob gazed once more with that
famished look upon Miss Gerald. He
found her Joy to the eye. Though
she stood in practical pose, the
curves of her gracious and proud
young figure were like ardent lines OF
poetry in a matutinal and passionate
hymn to beauty. And Bob's lips
straightway yearned to sing hexamet
ers to loveliness in the abstract-and
in the hesh-instead of plodding along
half-heartedly through unconvincing
and purposeless explanations.
"You certainly do look fine today
burst from Bob. 1t wasn't exactly a
hexameter nor yet an iambic mode OF
expression. But 1t had to come out.
Roses blossomed on the girls proud
cheek. Bob's explosive and uncon-
trollable ardency would have been dis
-concerting under any circumstances,
but under such as those of the pres
ent-Miss Gerald's eyes flashed.
"Isn't-isnt that rather irrelevant
she said after a moments pause
"I-yes, guess it is" confessed
Bob, and his head slowly fell. He
looked at the hard marble pavement.
A moment the girl stood with breast
stirring, like an indignant goddess.
Have you-have you any information
to volunteer" she said at length
icily.
ooh, | don't have to volunteer an
swered Bob. And then rushed on to
Niagara of disaster. why don't
you ask that hammer thrower? sup
pose you'd believe anything -he
couldn't keep back the bitter jealousy
he tells you"
An instant eyes met eyes. Bob's
now were stubborn, if forlorn and mis-
cradle. They braved the indignant,
outraged violet ones. He even laugh
ed. savagely, modify. What would
he not have given II she would only
believe him. instead Of! But it was
not to be. Yet this girl had his very
soul His miserable and forlorn eyes
told her that. Whose eyes would nave
turned first. in that visual contest IS
4 matter of uncertainty, for just then
the enthusiastic voice Of Gee-gee was
heard through the land"
why, Mr. Bennett-you here! So
glad to see you!"
Bob forgot all about heroics. Gee
gee drifted in as II she were greeting
an old and very dear friend, instead
of q casual acquaintance, upon whom,
indeed, she had rather forced herself
on certain memorable evening. Bob
wilted When he recovered little.
Miss Gerald was gone. Below them
the gardener who had caught Bob's
eye now drew bit nearer. Bob turn
ed on Gee-gee.
CHAPTER XVII.
A Good Deal Of Gee-gee.
"See here" he said rather savagely,
this has got to STOP"
Gee-gee stared. BLESS it's little
heart, what is it talking about?"
"You know" said Bob. The fact
that he now saw Gwendoline Gerald
rejoined afar by the hammer thrower
did not improve his temper.
Pardon me-" returned Gee-gee, tos-
sing her auburn hair, III fail to con-
meet. Mrs. Ralston has been good
enough to treat US as her regular
guests. And, indeed, why shouldn't
she ?" With much dignity. But II you
feel amt good enough to speak to-
your Lord Highmightiness, except at
stage doors and alleys and roof gar
dens-" Cuttingly.
"This isn't a question of social
said Bob. Gee-gee didn't
know what amenities" meant and
that made her madden you've come
down here to raise regular hornets
nest"
Gee-gee sat down. She was so mad
she had to do something. She wanted
10 slap Bob's face, but she couldn't DO
that. AS Mrs. Ralston's guests she
couldn't give way to her natural and
primitive impulses Her gown, mod
ishly tight all over, strained almost
10 bursting point; it seemed to ex-
press the state Of her feelings. A.
nigh-heeled shoe. encasing a pink
foot, agitated itself like a
flag in gale.
Il like that she gasped And who
are you to talk to me like that? May
be you think this is a rehearsal.
For arguments sake, I'll own I'm
not much account just at present"
said Bob. BE that as it may. I'm CO.