Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-06-01

Bob, looking at the hammer man
For a moment he wondered II hi
should speak further. He could i'm
agine how his words would be receiv
ed He didn't forget that he hadn't &
shadow Of proof against the hammer
man. Miss Gerald would think he
was accusing an innocent person and
she would despise him (Bob) only
the more-if that we're possible. Tc
speak would be but to court the con
tempt of the others, the laughter OF
the hammer man. Bob's thought.
were terribly confused but he realized
he might as we'll remain silent; in
deed. perhaps it would be better fol
the present.
| Anyhow, what told you wasn't
So said jolly little pal to the mon
ocle man. And I repeat I will never
testify to it." She was awfully de-
jected.
Yes, you will said Bob, monoto
nously, GAS I told you, I won't let
you get into trouble" -a
Besides there's all that other evil
dence," suggested the monocle man.
81 can explain that away" return
ed Bob Then he thought: Could he?
Would Dan and Clarence stand by
him now and acknowledge 1t was they
he had let out of the house at that
unseemly hour? He doubted it.
.Dickie, too, wouldn't be very friendly.
Their last conversation over the tele-
phone was far from reassuring. No:
, am not sure that cam Bob added
He still had to remember he was the
impersonation of Truth.
You refer to Miss Geralds having
seen you wandering about the house
after the others had retired. pre-
sume?" suggested the monocle man,
who was enjoying the conversation
immensely. 1t was the kind of stu
alton he liked. He wouldn't have cur
tailed it for the world. When the
hammer man heard the question, his
brows lifted slightly. Surely mo-
mentary CLINT of gladness or satisfac-
ton shone from his gaze. But 1t re-
coded at once. He listened attentive
ly.
Yes, was referring to that" an
swered Bob. gazing at Gwendoline.
She, condemn him to prison cell!
ed wistfully, almost sadly at the sweet
memorable lips which might ruin his
life. He didn't feel resentful; he only
determined to put up the best fight he
could when the time came.
"Is-is it necessary to proceed to
extremities?" said the hammer man
at this point sedulously. Would not
the mere fact that We all know about
the matter be suff1 cient punishment?
He appealed to Miss Gerald. my
father used to tell me that when q
man was down If we could see the
way to extend a helping hand. we
would be doing the right thing. l
think. the world is becoming more toll
Grant and there is a tendency to give
q person a chance to reform, instead
of locking him up"
Again Bob laughed In spite of his
unhappiness and that weight of mel
ancholy, the others heavy humor tick.
led Bob's funny bone. Think of the
hammer man pretending to try to
keep Bob out of Jail! Didn't he know
how to play his cards? The deadly
joke was on Bob.
Don't appeal too hard in my behalf,
old chap; you might strain yourself
he said to the hammer thrower.
But the hammer thrower pretended
not to hear. He kept his sedulous,
humane glance On Miss Gerald.
you mean you would have my
aunt take no action in the matter?"
she said, and the lovely face was now
calm and thoughtful.
'.Please do" This from jolly little
pal. Dear, dear Gwendoline. It'll be
such a favor to me. And I'll love you
dearly
You certainly are very doughty
champion Of Mr.. Bennett, Dolly" OBJ
served Miss Gerald. There was a
question in her look and her words
might have implied that Bob had been
making love to- the temperamental
little thing, even when he dared tell
Miss Gerald he cared for her. Gwen
dolines face wore an odd smile now.
I'm not interested for the reason
you think" answered the Temperament
tai little thing spiritedly. He never
made love to me-real love. l tried
to make him, because he is all that
should appeal to any woman, but he
wouldn't" she went on tempestuous-
ly. regardlessly. And then we VOW
ed we'd be pals and we are. And
III stand by him to the last ditch
"You are very loyal, DEAR" said
Gwendoline quietly.
Besides, he's in love with some one
else" she shot back, and Bob shifted.
There was directness about jolly