Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-05
ing, then with a shrug he took him.

sell OIL.
| Chloe sat where she was until The
lights behind her began to go out
then she went to the corner and cross
| ed the street to look up into her faith
er's face.
HE does love me-" she silently tolt
him.. Perhaps he doesn't want to-
don't know don't care! It's al
right-he loves me. Oh, father, I'm
glad I'm glad!" With the blurring OF
her eyes the kind face seemed to smile
and the hand to move in benediction
CHAPTER w.
Mrs. Cartaret's big house was usu
ally closed by the first of May, but
this year she fingered on in town, and
Ralston was still hurrying over there
in the early morning, impatient OF
anything that came between him anC
his inspired .workroom. He returned
later and later Sometimes now it was
evening before his family saw him
again, his lips tightly closed but in
his eyes a fever of excited hope. They
did not admit what a relief it was to
have his, work out of the house. but
sometimes, meeting in the upper hall
Mrs. Gage still started to breathe q
necessary communication into Chloe's
ear, and then would suddenly remem.
Der that there was no one to burst out
on her, raging for silence, and they
would laugh together with voices joy
ously released.
do you suppose he'lets Mrs. Cartar.
ct telephone?" Chloe had the wicked.
70 ocly OF nf
A vision of Ralston jumping out at
the lovely and dignified lady of the
house gave her JOY, but her mother
answered seriously:
"He wouldn't hear it, up there at the
top OF the house. / hope he leaves
his door open in this weather" she
went on, for sickly and unreasonable
heat lay over the city. Dear me. isn't
it oppressive? We are going to have
ice cream for dinner-I've sent Lizzie
over to the Henrys' for the freezer"
The familiar line Of trouble appear.
ed between Chloe's eyes. But Lizzie
is so careless about returning it, she
said. Last time they had to send
after it. ] was so mortified"
We'll remind her. dear" Mrs.
Gage spoke with large reinsurance
that promised everything. and Chloe,
though she knew better, could not help
feeling relieved of responsibility II
am afraid it will be bad summer"
the mother added, wiping her fore.
head
81 hope the yachting tril comes
true" Chloe said, but she did not in
the least near It. Nothing could
have induced her to leave town just
then. Alex had been back for a week
and though he did not come or give
n sign, Chloe's bloom had returned.
BILLY ought to have some beach"
she added.
~ can take him on some Of the
Babies Outing trips: unless something
better turns up. What is it, Lizzie?"
The maid of all work was mounting
heavily to announce that the Henrys'
freezer was in use.
Then you will have to get the Car
eys'." was the prompt answer II am
sorry: 1t isn't In as good condition
as the Henrys'. But you can make 1t
do. Lizzie. I want something cool for
Rawly." she added to Chloe. "The
dear boy Is working himself to death"
Chloe turned away in silence. She
had to admit that, owning freezer.
she would be genuinely glad to lend
it; and yet she could not help vino
ing and wishing with ignhble inten.
sity that they had one OF their own.
Ralston did not come for his ice
cream. Nine had struck before they
heard his step. He paused in the door
way, looking about the plain little
room as though he saw it from some
fresh angle. Mrs. Gage was darning
Billy's flannels and Chloe was reading
to her, while Sabra at desk bent
obviously over pile Of papers. It
was comfortable home scene or else
a graceless. glamourless vision of ex.
lie, according to the eyes that saw
Mrs Gage met him with the embrac.
ing. well, dear!" that had never fail
ed one OF them on a return.
Ralston did not respond. His eyes
burned black in white face. and his
stiffness was more aresting than a
shout. Pen. needle and half turned
page stopped where they were as
though spell had fallen. II seemed
, very long before he spoke.
1--WE got my chance. my real
chance" he was as short of breath
as though he had been running Mrs
Cartaret is going to back my play. She
believes in it. She thinks 1t is--a
great drama. 1t will go on as it is
as ] want it-=no trucking to vulgar
ignorant managers and waiting
months and years for their notice, and
having them weigh it by the number
Of laughs there are to scene-good
God, 1t is going on whole. right, beau
tifully produced. because one woman
cares for pure art and isn't afraid Ia
stand by It, My life has begun. al
last"
They exclaimed. they wanted to re
joice with him. but Ralston in his ex
altaton was curiously aloof, as though
during his years of struggle they had
not had adequate faith Mrs Gage
was presently remorseful that she had
not long ago herself found means t.
/ back production.
But thought you had to have 6
manager she said in troubled apol
ogy.
$50 you do. but We shall hire him,
| was the unrelenting answer. I'VE
L