Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-06-03

Women are curious creatures" the
other said slowly. There is no under
standing them. Ever since he was a
student at the University Of Virginia
he has been interested in a girl IN
Charlottesville. One day he did the
asinine thing-took Grahame> to see
her He Is handsome fellow and
good looks will count with a girl
against every sterling quality. jim,
as you know, possesses the qualities
but is not much for looks.
THE outcome was she threw him
over. Then. actuated by the devil,
she insisted that he should be an ush'
er at the wedding.
"Jim took his medicine like man
He is that kind of fellow, and walk,
ed down the aisle with as dainty a
vision of womanhood as a mans eye
could rest upon-a younger sister OF
Mary Houghton, and, from my point
of view, the more attractive Of the
two. I have often wondered If she
would not get him In the rebound but
of late there has been more or less
talk Of Fieldings sister-in-law."
Not the kind of man to marry for
"True. But the best Of us do in
comprehensive things at times. She
is a handsome woman. and, if Mrs.
Grundy speaks truth, all Jim has to
do Is ask her. They were the only
unmarried people on board for part
of the cruise and you know the posi-
bilities of moonlight nights at sea-
F. The other laughed as he rose. Not
much chance of escape unless a man
is made of adamant Still, would
bet on Jim not doing the obvious
thing. He is one Of the cleanest mind.
ed men I have ever known and the
vulgarity in that set is revolving. No
reflection on the girl. She may have
everything that is desirable, includ-
ing the money. BY the way, has she
money? thought Fielding married
a poor girl"
'sAs much as he has, believe" And
with a friendly nod the two men part
ed.
Jim Marshall paused as he reached
the avenue and looked across at the
stream Of cars and pedestrians enter
ing the white house gates. It was a
reception day and the day was one
Of those blessed, sunshiny. MINDLESS
days known to the capital city in the
early spring Back of him. in Lafay-
cite park, tulips and hyacinths were
abloom Near to them japonicas and
forsythias made vivid clumps of color
Across the avenue the grass showed
green under the great elms In the his
toric grounds.
The man heaved a sigh of enjoy
ment 1T is good to be home" he
thought, as he swung across the street
narrowly missing little car coming
slowly toward him.
The driver, woman, called to him.
He had not seen her and as he went
up to the car he wondered at the
change in the girl he had walked
with down the aisle of country
church twelve months before.
Surely you have grown up" he
said with smile as he took her hand
into a warm, close grasp. Your voice
brought back memory, else I might
not have known you"
Had you really forgotten me, DR..
MARSHALL" she asked simply. II
knew you at once -
II said might, did not?'' he laugh
ed. mo. could not forget such a
companion as you proved yourself
that night a year ago. I was merely
for the bewildering change
from girlwood to womanhood. All! l
seem fated to be run down today" AS
q limousine brushed by him he lifted
his hat.
The girl in the big car leaned for
ward, looking straight into his eyes,
then raised her glance to the fresh,
young face in the, little car. Her own
face hardened slightly, but she gave
a smile and friendly nod to Jim as her
machine passed on. i.
us that Miss Howard?" the girl be-
side him asked. "She Is very hand
some, and, hear, very rich" A slight
flush crept into her face, dying out as
quickly as 1t had come. Il under
stand your friends should extend con-
CALCULATIONS.
$50 you have heard that rumor,"
he replied shortly "Well, there isn't
word of truth in it. Ordinarily do
not take the trouble to deny it, but
want you to know" g.. ......
and why me?" she asked lightly.
"You have older friends who have a
prior claim, although I doubt If they
would feel more interest"
He hesitated long before replying.
"This is not the time or place would
choose to tell you" he answered at
last, turning his back fully upon the
passing crowd, but Mrs. Grundy Is
a persistent old lady and makes a
great deal of trouble. Ever since l
landed that rumor has followed me.