Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-11-04

the page and forgot the chocolate.
spoke Involuntary"
Grace laughed. II was so absorbed
in the story that forgot the candy
Do have some" she said, extending
the box.
mo, thank you. came to bring
you some letters" he said. crossing
the stream in one stride and drop
ping handful of letters in her lap.
"You said you were looking for a spe-
cial letter."
"It Is here!" she cried gladly, tear
ing it open.
!; II am very glad" he said stoically,
moving away.
ooh, wait moment, Mr.. Winters, .
she protested II want to tell you
something's very special friend of
ours is coming on this afternoons
train. Will you take me to meet him,
please?'
| Certainly. "A man, suppose?"
She nodded. "Mr Carver-yOu will
like Harold immensely" she said en-
=, Enthusiastically.
"Why shall I like him." he de-
manded. Because you do, Miss
Pitt?'
"Why-no-because everyone does.
Il like him very much indeed, Mr.
Winters. I have always known him
| he is splendid"
He hesitated and turned away.
II don't suppose you'll have time
to take any more rides in the little
red car" he said glumly.
: I'm afraid won't have mucn
time" she admitted. "You have been
SO kind-and given me so many de-
liehtful excursions in the car. l shall
,, always remember the dear little red
car" she smiled.
Long after you've forgotten tho
owner?" he asked quizzically, ~ he
strobe away.
She called after him to tell him that
Horace Carver was coming on the
a: 10 train He nodded grimly and
went on his way.
Grace watched him, fine, upstand-
ing young man, a successful farmer
q power in the village, man with
future ahead of him, people predicted.
If he were only our sort, tnougnt
Grace. remembering Horace Carver
and his social prestige. She had often
wondered why her plain, practical
parents criticised the indolent Horace
and his pleasure-seeking life. only
last night Mr.. Pitt had declared that
the girl who married young Winters
would be mighty lucky.
CAS- If there were any choice be-
tween Horace Carver and Ferd Win
ters.'' she thought disdainfully. Il
can fancy fathers look Of horror II /
proposed marrying Ferd - pooh,
rooye," she chided herself with hot
cheeks. what would sensible
youth like Ferd want with an airy
butterfly wife like me?"
She amused herself with this
thought and then, finding that it was
not unpleasant to consider, dismissed
it in a panic Of fear Drying her feet
she put on her shoes and stockings
and went across the fields to the
farmhouse.
Ferd's little red car was at the
door. There was a rumble seat where
either Grace or Horace might sit on
the return trip. But the little red
car seemed reluctant to meet Horace
Carver and by the time Ferd had
coaxed it up to the railroad station
the 4:10 train had come and gone ana
the station agent reported that the
solitary arrival had crossed the road
and taken the short cut through the
woods to Mapleshade Farm.
Eve will overtake him on the wood
road" said Ferd confidently, for the
little red car was not afraid OF deep
ruts or bumps and hollows and grace
fully took thank you, ma'ams'
whenever they occurred.
The wood road wound through
miles Of oak trees. Thunder rumbled
ominously, the sun darkened and was
hidden from view and warm drops or
rain battered on the leaves.
eve can reach the top of the hill
and run home across the pasture,
called Ferd above the pattering rain.
"What shall we do with the carr"
shivered Grace. She was afraid of
the sharp lightning flashes.
leave it up at the top of the hill.
IIu spread rubber blanket over It,"
"Poor Horace" sighed Grace. I'm
afraid he will get awfully wet
Gle wont mind that" treasured
Ferd carelessly.
Grace wondered if Horace would
mind. She knew he would; he was
very particular about his clothes.
She liked to see man fussy about
clothes, although Ferd wore his we'll
fitting garments with careless I'M
concern that was vastly becoming.
"Why am always comparing these
two men?" she asked herself indig-
|nantly. IT expect to marry Horace