Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-20

Laurie wandered over the cool, big
house with the feeling Of peace that
comes with the knowledge that re-
sponsibility has for the time being
taken wings and that no one In the
world expects anything at all of one
The girls had gone motoring, mother
and dad were away and the two maids
were out. S. <5-.s.
maggie will leave everything fixed
for your supper" Marjorie had ex'
planned as she tied on pink motor
veil I'VE won't be home until late,
and told her there was no use COM
ing back to get dinner for Just you.
It's too hot to eat, anyway! You'll
find the table in the breakfast room
all set and there's salad and sand
wiches and fruit and all the fixing In
the refrigerator. You'll get along
buddie, dear. Now be good boy"
Laurie had played tennis until four
Then he came home, had a shower
and put himself into fresh white linen
clothes. After which he wandered
over the house with the delightful
sensation of having several precious
hours ahead in which to do as he
pleased.
He got a book. Not that he want
ed to read: that was the one thing
he was most unlikely to do. Then he
chose a secluded corner OF the vine
covered veranda, pulled smoking
stand within reach and threw him
self down on the cushions of the
swinging seat. And just because he
had so much time to enjoy, to do ex
actly as he pleased, he elected. man
like, to fall asleep immediately and
waste the best part of summer day
The sun swung around to the west
and slowly slid over the edge of the
world, cool, faint evening breeze
sprang up and gently stirred the
leaves Of the trees; little wisp Of q
moon looked out Of the twilight and
still Laurie slept. The telephone
rang. Then it rang again-and again
louder He turned. muttered some
thing about watching out for the am
bulance, and slept sounder than ever
From the distant street came
sounds Of evening merriment; but the
mingling noises blended into a soft
hum that had no effect on the sleepy
man. He was making the most Of his
freedom.
A taxicab stopped at the curb and
girl with travelling bag got out
She paid the driver and, after lookine
around for a moment, started up the
gravel path to the house.
Helen said directly across from
the library" she soliloquized. 80 this
must be the place. I wonder if they
got my telegram! There was no one
at the station and it must be tina
they didn't. What delicious smell!
This is Helen's place, all right. SHE
couldn't live without flowers"
The little crescent Of moon wal
away in the west. but enough Of thu
long summer twilight remained for thu
girl to see the house.
mot a light! It's perfectly eviden
they didn't get my word. There's thu
telephone. Maybe it's Helen!" Sh'
set her bag in the hall and CROPPED he
way through the darkness toward tn
sound of the bell.
Hello No; this is not Ogden g
You have the wrong number. Good
bye"
'Ill just make myself comfortable
until they come back. It's lucky the,
left the door open. They're out for
drive. I suppose. Now, where are tn
Ilights?"
She found switch finally, and
light flashed on. That's better. Wha
a lovely room! Now for the dinin
room. I'm, nearly starved and mayb
/ can find some bread and butter"