Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-04-20

bet he knows this minute that Sara's
right behind him looking like June
rose in her new silk suit and straw
hat, and I'll bet, too, that he won't
walk home with her after the sermon
either. if | can help it. Not if I am
in as good health as am this minute
he WON'T" o
The hymn closed and the sermon
began. Miss Lynda heard none of it.
Her thoughts were busy. There will
have to be something done,' she kept
saying to herself, land something
quick. I'm not worrying about that
donkey with the Norfolk coat so much
for, dear knows, he'll leave with the
circus Tuesday, but Billy will leave
town, too, if they have had a fight,
and maybe never come back, and that
will just about kill Sara, for I know
the girl better than she knows her
self. Billy got that offer from the
Dayton firm and he is hotheaded
enough to accept it. Poor things!"
She sighed and glanced again at Sara's'
unsmiling, unhappy face.
Her thoughts continued: "Of
course, talking to them will do about
as much good as trying to put out
fire with gasoline, they are both so
touchy. But there ought to be some
way! The circus is Tuesday and Billy
was to take her, but he won't now
And that ninny will hang around her
and cause more trouble. l believe |
have the faint glimmering of a plan!
Yes, have-the very thing"
And that, afternoon, after congratu'
lating herself upon her success at
frustrating the ninnys plan of walking
home with Sara, and satisfying her
self that there had been serious
quarrel between the two young people,
she managed to get her niece out of
hearing while she called Billy's father
on the phone. After very satisfying
consultation. Mr.. Langley concluded
with: Its bad business for young
men to lose their heads and leave
town, isn't it, Lynda? You and |
know that, don't we?" And the short
silence that preceded Miss Lynda's
reply was due to the fact that all her
blood had suddenly rushed to her
heart. 1t had all been so long ago
she was sure he had forgotten.
Eyes, indeed, we should, Henry"
she answered as lightly as she could.
On Tuesday at luncheon, Miss Lynda
said casually over a forkful of salad, !
81 think I'll go up to Potters and ex-
change those gloves before circus
time" rl 81.
"All right" agreed Sara languidly.
"Ill go with you" .-. -..
Now this was exactly what Miss
Lynda did not want. But she diplo-
matically waited moment before an
swering. IT thought maybe you
wouldn't mind taking those booties
I've Just finished over to the new Mar.
tin baby, I'd do it only it's the other
direction" ;.
certainly, I'll go. auntie, but We'll
never get seats together, unless we
meet somewhere
"Pve thought of that. Tickets are
on sale at Lynn's bookstore and I'll
stop in and get our two together. I
can leave yours for you in an envelope
with your name on it, SO it won't mat
ter If we don't meet first, you see.''
That's a good plan. for every one in
to- ir c,-'--c 2, and there will be an
awful crowd" g..- -:
AT lunch Henry Langley said to his
moody son over chop: Billy, l
can't get away until the last second,
so on my way down town I'll stop at
Lynns and get the tickets and leave
one for you with your name on it.
Don't wait for me. I'll go straight from
the office" 1914, go p .&--~@
VERY well, dad. -r"r
A little clever juggling of tickets be
tween the two older people and the
estranged lovers found themselves to-
gether in the tenth row of reserved
seats in crowd too dense to move
either one way or another. 50. ar&
Sara was munching nonchalantly
from a box of chocolates and her hat
had been knocked a bit lawry in the
crowd 1t tilted sidewise at a rakish
ANGLE that robbed her of all dignity. !
This was the view that Billy had of
her as he sat down, hishand deep in /!
his pocket after more peanuts and his |
Jaws working overtime.
The procession was starting around |
the ring with blare of trumpets and |
a band. The look of indignation on |
ara's face and the amaZement and per-
plexity on Billy's were instantly arres- |
ted. Primal instincts were obliterated |
in the magical parade before them, a
pageant of FAIRIES, magnific- |
cent royalty, gorgeous orientals, races
of five colors, animals of all countries |
with trappings right out of Arabian |
Nights and music calculated to lure i
the genii of Aladdin right into the big !
tent. |,
Billy watched and mumched. ara,
giving herself up to the delights Of the I