Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-05

Billy'S voice was rising to tears and
Chloe hastily broke in.
BILLY, darling. do you know that
grandfather is going to have a pres.
|ent? Nice new grass and nice new
fence-you tell him about it." So Ser
emo Gage was told his news with
much imaginary detail-he and Chloe
exchanged smiles over Billy's excited
head, and the little boy went home
very happy; but long after he had
been, put to bed he called for Toto,
clinging to her dress with hot little
hands.
That poor iii lame boy-a wicked.
bad train hurt him, Toto!" The broad
face, so like his grandfather's, was
quivering into tears. Chloe did not
seek to divert him now; instead, she
told him all that could be comforting
about manned lives, trying to turn his
passion, of pity into he idea of helping.
Young as she was. she knew 1t was
only by service that Billy could live
through the sorrows OF this world.
The others, absorbed in their own af-
fairs, had no idea what Billy was, and
Chloe never told them. He was her
secret Fine though her mothers SER
vice was, Chloe instinctively turned
from that kind for the little boy. She
did not want Billy to raise money!
She had left her dinner unfinished,
but she did not go back to it. Alex
might come any minute now, running
to her as she had to run to him all
day. She had planned to take book
out on the steps, that she might have
something to do with her eyes when
he turned the corner, but dealing with
Billy's trouble had lifted her above
nerves and girlish fears, leaving her
grave and womanly, deeply aware Of
the richness Of life and the bigness
his eyes and wait for him to take her
hands.
well, dear, l didn't half finish tell
ing you about my day" Mrs. Gage
came out as placidly as though the
warm dusk had not been sent for low
ers only. and seated herself on the
steps without seeing that they await
ed some one else Mrs Van Dusen
thought that the Commodore was feel
ing the hard times, but l went right
down to him myself"
The tale of prosperous day fell on
ears that were Indignantly deaf.
Chloe had tumbled from an exalted
woman spirit to very petulant and
uneasy girl. whose romance was
threatened. She tried by every device
but open speech to send her mother
in again, but Mrs. Gage was comfort
able and not afraid of damp and she
had much to tell. Half the evening
dragged by and still she made no
move: and Alex did not come.
II believe we can raise enough with
out an entertainment: Mrs. Gage was
enjoying the enterprise as an old cam
paigner might enjoy light skirmish:
but it wouldn't be much trouble.
Louisa Scarlet would sing-she new
er forgets that l introduced her to
the man who got her into the Metro.
politan.'
But that was five years ago.
Chloe objected, "and she has sung for
it three times already" She would
not have said that if she had not been
so strained with expectation, SO bitter
with disappointment; but Mrs. Cages
good humor was unfailing.
1T is very little trouble to her, dear.
will get some one to send car for
her. And Cyril DeKay will always
write poem"
Some one had turned the corner and
Chloe's heart had vaulted before she
saw that it was not Alex. Her shaken
nerves spoke.
Mother, l won't sell tickets. ! can't
stand it-that awful wait in the draw
ing room while they are wondering
why you have come and looking for
their purses. / can't"
Your mother and sister have done
1t a good many times" but the re-
proof was gently delivered. 1T won't
be necessary. however. We will sim
ply mail them in twos and tours to any
one who might be interested"
But then they have to pay or send
them back" said Chloe quickly. II
don't think that is fair. 1t would make
me"
Chloe, dear, if you can't do any
thing but find objections, you will not
be very useful. And should think, for
your fathers memory. you would want
to do what you could" The rebuke
was softened by kindly hand on her
daughters knee Chloe's eyes filed.
When they were clear again, Alex
stood at the foot of the steps.
He was late and lstless. with a
moody brow and cool handclasp, the
lover she had awaited all day, but
Chloe in her sudden gladness explain
ed and excused all. Something had
kept and troubled him. But now her
mother would go in and all would be
made right-for he had called her the
dearest little girl in the world.
Mrs. Gage welcomed him with her
hearty cordially that was like mans
clap on the shoulder. We'll, Alex!
How are you? Sit down. Have you
heard what Chloe and | are doing
did your father tell you?" She had
never yet drawn enthusiasm from
Alex. but she would never cease to
look for it in response to her stirring
communications. Uncle Harry himself
could not have given dryer answer.
Yes: he told me-"
Mrs. Gage set forth expansively
what they had done and what was
planned. and Alex listened in moody
silence Once his glance crossed
Chloe's, but it held no recognition of
her dearness.