Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-05-15
CHAPTER XIV. (Continued.)
PPETEY

.
The hammer-thrower drew up his
heavy shoulders "No use abusing me.
]. old chap he said in even we'll poised
/ tones. Gam I at fault for your I'M
popularity? Indeed"-as If arguing
with himself in his slow heavy fashion
II fail to understand why you have
made yourself unpopular. You seem
, 10 have proceeded with deliberate IN
tention. However, that is irrelevant.
You say there was some one IN your
room. or rather the room you were
supposed to have vacated; but to
which you have unaccountably return
ed-not, imagine, by way OF the
front door" Severely And after en-
/ terins in burglarious fashion you pur.
sued a phantom. The phantom van.
Ished leaving you In compromising
position. You expect people to be-
iieye that?" Shaking his head.
Il should be surprised if they did"
answered Bob gloomily. II suppose
you'll tell everybody tomorrow.
'That's the question" said the 9th
/ Ar seriously. What is my duty In
4 the matter? don't want to do you
an irreparable injury. yet appearances
certainly seem to indicate that you
He hesitated. :,
"Never mind the Latin for It," said
Bob. plain Anglo-Saxon will DO. Cali
me thief"
'It's an ugly word said the other
reluctantly, caldwell. I don't wish
to be hasty. MY father always told me
to help man whenever could; not !tt
to shove him down. And maybe
He paused. There wns really nice
expression on his strong face.
"Oh, you think may be only a
young offender Juvenile In crime?'
exclaimed Bob bitterly.
s'The words are your own" observ-
ed the other. ITO tell you the truth"
seriously. II hardly know what to
think It is all too extraordinary-too
unexpected. I'll have to ponder on it.
The profs. at college always said | had
the champion slow brain. The pecu-
liar part to me is that puzzled look
returning to his heavy features. Il
can't understand why you're making
people think what they do Of you?
Frankly. don't believe you're 'dippy'
You we're always rather-just what
is the word ?-'mercurial'-yes; that
win do. But your head looks right
enough to me-"
whats the Latin for Thank you''"
said Bob.
40 you really think this Is trivi-
al natter" asked the other, bending
q stronger glance upon his visitor. i
helieye YOU are somewhat obligated
I, me. Please bear that In mind"
with quiet dignity. "As was saying,
your conduct since coming here
seems to battle explanation-that Is,
the right one. I wonder what is your
.lay.' anyhow? What's the idea?
like to be able to grasp people. For
cefully. "And you escape me. ! cant
get at the tangible in you Nor.
with sudden quick glance-"can
Miss Gerald"
Suppose we leave her name out"
said Bob sharply. you've done me
! favor which ought not to have
accepted. And tell you frankly I'd
rather have accented 1t from any one
else in the world"
~ think l understand replied the
other quietly, with no show OF resent
ment on his heavy features. Have
cigar?" Indicating box on the
table.
''Id rather not"
every WE'LL"
For some moments Bob sat in
moody silence. Then suddenly he got
up.
"Am I to be permitted to return to
my room?' he asked.
FL believe told you ! would con-
slider your case said the hammer
throWer.
And Bob passed out. He regained
his room without mishap which rath.
er surprised him. He almost expected
to be intercepted by the monocle man
but nothing of the kind happened.
CHAPTER XVI.
Il took great deal OF courage 1or