Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-07-27

so far appeared. But he had man.
aged to let her know he was interest
ed. She had fairly to fall over him
on her way to the dining-room, he
chose to battle at the place where she
took her daily dip, and at the same
hour, and he frequented the amuse-
ments she liked best. On the other
hand, the girl continually frowned her
displeasure at his presence, and it was
evident that she was just as keen to
avoid meeting him as he was anxious
to meet her.
The girl walked along with her com.
panion, but turned back as she saw
something lying on the sand. Ted's
heart nearly stopped when he saw her
coming, and he almost dropped the
baby. but he clutched it tightly, des-
perately, when she picked up the top
and handed it to him, with, Here is
your baby's rattle!" and, half stopping,
"Cute little thing-looks like you'll"
She was gone with that, and Ted
suddenly wished the sands would swal-
low him and spare him any further
torment of living. His baby! Merciful
heavens!
$50 you look like me! We aught
to be chums, then suppose. with
common grievance like that; but
think it's time We parted company.
Back you go where you came from,
back soon. I'll come along in five
minutes or SO to see if you are all
right" He laid the baby in it's soft
nest, gave it the rattle and tried to
collect his scattered senses by another
swim to the bar. Be-. =
Sure enough, when he returned baby
was gone! He breathed more freely
then. He felt personally responsible
as long as no one else materialized.
Another day Ted came out Of "a
movie just as woman passed wheel
ing baby peram bulator Something
flew out OF the carriage and landed
at his feet. He recognized the blue
rattle of his friend the baby and hand
ed it over. go
ooh, thank you!' beamed the moth
err "She's always throwing it out"
She was young and pretty-scarcely
more than girl. 1t occurred to Ted
to relate the episode of the baby's fall.
and he did so, suiting his step to her
own. = 49,. -. ~ -.sa -.|
OF course the girl passed just then,
as the young mother was listening
with all attention to Ted.
''DarnH' he exclaimed stopping
81 beg your pardon!" NF j. .s.
He apologized profusely II forgot
something and must 60 back If you
will excuse me-" he said, as he lifted
his hat and turned in the direction
the girl had taken. He could still see
her and, thank heaven, she was alone.
He followed. unabashed, desperate!
She turned into pavilion facing the
sea, sought a comfortable chair in a
quiet corner and opened a book 1t
was late afternoon and the evening
breeze was already blowing gently.
Ted came up beside her and after
like to talk with you. just a minute
If you don't object!"
She looked up. object? Well, I'll
have to listen, I suppose. Go ahead"
She closed her book.
THAT baby isn't mine!'
r know 1t isn't '~
What! Excuse mel didn't under.
stand. 7 thought, you thought" ..
He thought, we thought, you
thought, they thought she finished
mocklngly. ......... 80.
Ted was very red IN the face by this
time
"Now listen," said the girl, II am
that lady's aunt. I was only teasing
you, SO don't worry about it any more. /"
He digested this. why don't You
like me?" he went on. OTIS been go
evident in 9 hundred ways that you
don't I'm really curious about it. Do
you mind telling me?"
"Mercy!" she cried. Il have Ger.
tainly developed into regular bureau
OF information. But I'll tell you that,
! too! It's because you are here having
good time for month while George
Brownson, your partner. who happens
! to be my brother-in-law and that baby's
father, is at home working his head
off in hot Office when he is dying
to be here with his family. He can't
leave as long as you are away
! Ted was speechless. But I'd have
gone week ago if-if-it hadn't been
for you!" he declared suddenly f..
| Then the girl smiled, the very sort
of smile he wanted to see Its
wicked for me to keep George away
from May and the baby, isn't IT," she
said. "1'll go home tomorrow" .Es
Then I'll 60, too," smiled Ted. ..e
! REAPER HURTS GIRL.
! INV Ok WHILE To,poc p,,,,