Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-05-13
tors, she could stand almost anything.
But what about Bob?

tors, she could stand almost anything.
| But what about Bob?
That young gentleman, now seated
J in the hammer.thrower's room, had
! frankly revealed what had happened
to bring him out in the hall. In low
tone he told why he had approached
Gee-gee's door and what had been IN
his mind when he had placed his hand
on the knob. The hammer-thrower,
II not appearing particularly Impress
ed by Bob's story, listened gravely;
occasionally he shook his head. It
wasn't. on the whole, very reason
able sounding yarn. Truth certainly
sounded stranger than fiction IN this
instance. Bob couldn't very we'll
blame the other for not believing.
Still he (Bob) owed him that explana-
ton. Though he (Bob) might detest
him as the man who would probably
rob him Of Miss Geralds hand, still
the fact remained that the hammer
thrower appeared at present in the
suise OF his (Bob's) savior. BOD
couldn't get away from this unpleas-
ant conclusion. He didn't want to
have anything to do with the other
and vet here he was in his room, &C
tually being shielded by him. The
situation was. indeed, well-nigh intol-
cradle
The hammer-thrower studied BOD
with quiet earnest eyes, and the lat.
ter had to acknowledge to himself
that the mans face was strong ana
capable If Miss Gerald married him
las seemed not unlikely-she would,
at any rate, not get weak man. He
was about as big as Bob, though not
so reckless looking. Bob was hand
somer in his dashing way, but some
girls, sersibly inclined, would prefer
what might appear more RELIABLE
type. The hammer thrower looked SO
sure of himself and his ground he IN
spired confidence. He looked too sure
of his ground now, as regards Bob
"It won't do he said with his usual
directness to Bob, when the latter had
finished explaining. Sounds little
fishy! I'm sorry, old chap, but shall
have to have time to think it all over.
And then I'll try to decide what Is
hest to be done. You say you were
nniustly incarcerated in private
sanatorium." Bob hadn't explained
the ircumstances-Who mad near
cerated" him and why. THAT you
were incarcerated at all Is matter
of regret"
"Of course Firmly, but with faint
surprise. "You didn't think l rejoic-
ed at your misfortune, did your
81 didn't know. I thought 1t pos
sible."
The hammer-thrower' heavy broWs
drew together. "You seem to have
little misconception of my charac-
ter" he observed, with trace OF 1or-
mality. "You were incarcerated, ap-
parently, pro bono publico. | had no
hand in it. If had been consulted,
| should have hesitated some time be-
fore expressing an opinion
Thanks said Bob CURLY. Sucn
| generous reserve was rather CALLING,
coming from this quarter
I'm afraid you don't mean that,
replied the other. "And it's bad hab-
II to say what you don't mean. HOW
ever, we are drifting from the SUP.
iect. You will pardon me for not
swallowing, capite ad calcem, that
little Muchhausen explanation OF
yours"
1T don't care whether you swallow
tit head, neck and breeches, or not, "
returned Bob. The other had taken
classical course at college, and Bob
conceived he was ponderously trying
to show off, just to be annoying. He
was adopting doubly irritating and
classical manner of calling Bob liar
And that young man was not accus
toned to being called that-at least
not of yore! Maybe he would have
to stand it now. 1t seemed so. You're
like good many other people I've
met lately,' said Bob, not without q
touch of WEAKNESS as we'll as bitter
ness. "You don't know the truth
when you hear It,"
ITO be continued)