Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-01
CHAPTER II. (Continued)


The April night was warm and they
walked home, unenvious of the limou-
sines that streamed past, of the lights
and music Of cafes. Half of youth 8
desire for those things is the desire
for love- These two would have de-
MED that they had found love-they
were cousins, Chloe always explained !;
"Step cousins" Alex added; but they
turned from the brightness as content
kedly as though they we're happily mar
Hprobation. Their old intimacy was
back, quickened and deepened.
"How people do work to have good
time" she said as they passed car
peted and awninged entrance. And all
1.-THE time it Is just matter of being
with the right person. You and l can
Ebe as gay sitting on the front steps
Us In rose-palm-g goldfish garden with
an orchestra and five soloists. And
Crackers and milk on the kitchen table
are lust az much fun as anything you
Ecan get at Demonico's. People don't
sealize it, that's all"
Alex was smiling deeply, as though
she had told him more than she knew.
E..But everybody can't have the right
Eperson-as you and I cam" he said.
"For3 some there isn't any right per-
faon: 40 they have to have sound and
color and taste to keep them awake"
Chloe had flushed. by right per-
son, mean any one you IKE 10 talk
with. she insisted.
"Of course. But take that NAM
moth turquoise bearing blonde who
Sat 1ust in front Of us>do you sup
nose she ever had an interesting con-
Iversation In all her fat life? 1t is only
IeopIe with brains-like you and me
Who can be Just as happy at the kitch-
an table. With the right person" She
danced up quickly, but If he was teas
ins her. there was nothing to show it.
N..But people who haven't brains do
Nalk. and enjoy it," she maintained.
they tell their grievances and their
auArrels. Women on the cars are al.
ways saying And / says to her
~And then some man marries them
md has to listen to that all his life"
Alex squared himself for attack. Il
have no patience"
sfIow true!" put in Chloe, and
rou9ht him down laughing.
They turned into their dark little
coyrer of town, lingering because
mere there was so much to say. Where
ne ain of park divided the street,
theys crossed to lean on the broken
fence and look up into the face of
Serene Gage. Chloe had done this all
her life. but tonight the little act felt
newly rich and reverential.
81 could never live very far from
here" she said impulsively. ut would
not be home to me if couldn't see
Jim every day. You don't know what
he means to me.
Alex drew closer. Tell me-" he
,aid.
The old houses were all dark and
lsleep: they stood alone in the below
"a presence, and from the bit Of
,hreadbare sod at their feet came a
i'm. fragrance. Chloe, who had kept
he quiet heart Of little girl all her
wenty years, was filed with sud-
len. exquisite sense of change. 1t
vas as though bare rod in her hand
lad blossomed.
II have never told any one" she
aid.
k"But YOU can tell me?" His shadow.
tOvoTlnX QGT, JUOh uCL llito illc us pio-
ection. She looked up at her father
md mutely told him that she was hap
", happy.
Il live with him." she said slowly;
tut even to Alex she could not go on.
That secret companionship, their
aughter together, her tears against
lis breast, the unfailing wisdom and
latience that had helped her to grow
10, were too precious to be cheapened
" words. 1T is what he means to all
I u.s." she said instead. Without
his, our family would fall apart. The
fly would swallow us. Standing
ere. he is like "a fort We can't
ute be downed. We have had dread
i'll struggles. you know, and even
aother couldn't have pulled us
trough without this figure standing
here above the crowd She turned
mpetuously. her eyes wet. What can
do to be worthy of him. Sometimes
i. troubles me. Alex. Sabra is doing
liz, things, and Ralston is trying to.
m only little Chloe at home! Do you