Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-19

! Antoinette's book slipped unnoticet
to the floor as her fingers relaxed
their hold. Her head leaned agains
the window frame as she gazee
dreamily down the green vistas of the
old rectory garden.
It was June and the sun lay warm
on the roses and enticed the rich fra
GRANGE from their hearts. Bees boom
ed in and out Of the prim hollyhocks
A thrush sang on the topmost twig Of
the pear tree.
, Time moved back 800 years. An
toinette Carey was not the rectors
pretty daughter-she was Lady Betty
Fraire of the romance she had been
reading. Sitting in her oriel window
Lady Betty had waited for her true
lover to return from the wars. She
had given that bold knight a red rose
to wear against his heart, and any
day he might return in triumph to
Lady Betty and lay his honors at her
pretty little feet.
Antoinette could almost see him
striding up the long walk between the
high-clipped hedges, handsome, DO.
bonair smiling, sweeping his plumed
hat to the ground at tho sight Of the
beloved face in the window.
Hello girlie!" called tender voice,
and Antoinette's dream fed as her
lowered glance encountered Bobby
Ortlepp's frank gray eyes. Thinking
OF me?" he asked softly, as he stepped
under the window.
Antoinette stared at him resentfully.
Bobby's plain face, rough tweeds
and villianous old pipe were a rude
awakening from dreams Of Sir Gala
had of romantic charm.
Whats the matter?" asked. Bobby
ooh, nothing-on I'm tired OF
everything!" sighed Antoinette.
Except me-" added Bobby, rushing
blindly to his fate.
i. Antoinette was silent, Her brown
eyes were staring into the dimness Of
the hedged path.
Bobby's mouth looked grim.
Except mel" he repeated signih-
cantly.
Silence and still that rapt, faraway
look.
Autoinette was twisting her engage
ment ring around her slim finger. The
diamond flashed and almost dazzleo
Bobby's quick glance.
Except mel" he repeated dog9edly::
At that moment the ring shipped
from Antoinette's finger touched the
window sill and then bounded into the
bed Of forgetmenots.
"Oh!" cried Antoinette, forced DacK
into the disagreeable present.
Bobby's face crimsoned and tnen
went gray as ashes.
He bent down and searched the for
getmenots for the lost ring. AT last
he found 1t and held It toward her.
There was a queer expression IN MS
honest eyes. J.
Perhaps you'd rather not wear 1t,
Antoinette," he said.
Antoinette thrilled with the excite
ment of the moment Their engage
ment had followed lifelong intimacy.
There had never been any doubt OF
their love for each other, and their
engagement was an occasion for de-
lighted congratulations from both
families.
No wonder Antoinette felt as though
she lived in real romance when
BOLDLY aShSu uCA ShAo AAAOAAAoASSOo 49,
ton:
would you rather not wear it again,
Antoinette tilted back her head and
an imp Of preversity whispered in her
ear.
"Really"-she managed to assume
slightly bored expression really
Bobby, I don't especially care"
Every well,' cut in Bobby, turning
on his heel Good afternoon"
He strobe toward the he'd ed path,
passing the splashing fountain. With
a vicious motion of his hand he sent
the sparkling jewel into the air, to fall
and lie hidden in the water that filed
the deep basin.
my ring!" gasped Antoinette, star
ing after Bobby's form as he tramped
down the path. He did not turn
around. His broad shoulders were set
resolutely and his firm chin did not
turn the fraction of an inch as he
swung through the gate at the end OF
the path and vanished.
Resentment followed swiftly upon
dismay.
There goes a twentieth century
Knight" she laughed shakingly.