Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-12

apparent lnQlnerence, MS OBJECT, or
course, being to catch glimpse of the
girl who interested him. He found her
at the forward deck looking dreamily
out over the starlit waves, but when
he asked her to walk with him q cold
look came into her eyes and she de-
clined abruptly.
81 say Miss Livingstone" said Cur
tbs, not used to such indifference. you
are mighty unresponsive sort Of a
girl, aren't your
AT times yes," was her answer.
II suppose bore you, don't II" Cur.
tbs continued. "But I fancy you would
rather like me II you knew me. Come
on with me out to the stern. There Is
jolly place out there where we can
sit and watch the waves. The officers
will let me through all right"
She refused again and Curtis laugh
ed to hide his discomfort.
"1'll think you are afraid OF me In
q moment, Miss Livingstone" he said.
Curtis sat down in the chair beside
her, and before many minutes had
passed Barba found herself eagerly
talking to the charming stranger. But
before long Barba remembered and ex.
cused herself.
The day before landing, after I'VE
long days which Curtis passed in what
seemed to be futile pursuit OF the
girl who fascinated him. he found him.
self for the first time walking the deck
with Barba. When she saw her broth.
er appear on deck she quickly excused
herself. But Curtis held her arm firm
ly as he walked by her side.
"Mr. Curtis, will you let me got"
she asked angrily.
Certainly, when you ask me as rou
should" he laughed. There was a note
of challenge in his voice "Say you are
not cross and I'll let you co."
But am cross"
Curtis led Barba to her deck chair
and sat down beside her. miss Liv.
ingstone,' he said 1T Is rather alb.
surd to tell you now. but you have
forced me to. Your manner, yorr in
difference. serves as challenge. For
some reason you dislike me, and I
know that II you knew me you would
like me. In the meantime, more than
like you. am very much in love with
you"
Don't say that, please" she said.
III you have no respect for me, at
least you must have some for your fam
n.y.
my family" queried Curtis. "sure.
ly there is no reason why may not
fall in love and propose to marry the
most charming girl I have ever met.
What objection do you know!
"Only what your cousin wrote to u.s."
said Barba, almost with sheer, that
You are married. I have the letter
here" She fingered the papers in the
writing case that was tucked In the
side Of her chair. ut is the letter Dick
wrote to my brother Listen, il you
wish:
"I am taking this opportunity to
warn you Of my cousin, Curtis Duncan,
who sails on the same boat. He is a
charming fellow. as you will readily
see. but tell Barba to be careful. He
Is the worst hirt in New York. and the
fact that he has wife and three chill
dren doesn't prevent him from making
himself very attractive to women. If
you see him rushing any nice girls on
board You might put them WISE
Curtis Duncan laughed, long and
and when he had explain.
ed to Barba that this was all MS cOus-
ms promised scheme to get even with
him she laughed with him.
But it wasn't very considerable OF
him Barba said. Suppose we had
never found out?"
Would 1t have made any difference?
Curtis asked. Would you care just a.,
little if you never saw me again? Do
you think, Barba. that you could ever
care for me little bit the way care
for you?"
She did not speak, but he read his
answer in her telltale eyes.