Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-08
Euening Story
THE TOUCH OF A BABY HAND
BY susan e. cIasoett
Copyright. 1916 by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

Madeline Gralme was worn Out MeA
tally and physically. There was moth
ing the matter with her except strain
from overwork and little naggine
worry at the back Of her brain that she
had ignored for many months. bl'
that lately had forced itself into the
foreground and compelled recognition
When she found she must take it seri
ously she dropped her work and sailed
for Newfoundland.
The first two days out she had deck
and dining saloon to herself and it was
not until the steamer reached Halifax
that the tables began to FILL Then. to
her CONSERVATION. she saw the man OF
all others she did not wish to see the
man, in fact from whom she was run
ming away.
He was at dinner and his back was
toward her. so she slipped unseen from
the saloon to her chair on deck to face
her dilemma. There was no avoiding
him. That she fully realized, but be
fore she could 60 further in her
thought she heard him say:
Right here, Steward. there seems
room for another chair" and chair ant!
rug and Peter Lansdale took posses
sion Of the space beside her.
There was an instant's silence as
they looked straight into each other
eyes. and then he laughed.
did you think l would not find you.
Madaeline?'
Not after knew you We're on board
before then, yes. You have given me
surprise. Why did you Gomez" She
asked the question pleasantly, but she
was tingling with i'll suppressed irrita
ton that she could barely control.
The irritation was against herself at
tn considerable feeling that had come
over her at the sound Of his voice.
Peter Lansdale always gave her this
sense of security and well being,
Whether is was his bigness. his force
full honesty, his genial laugh. or his
confidence in himself that inspired
confidence in others. she could not
have told. but she felt his influence.
She loved him. This she acknowl-
edged. but she felt that in marriage
she would sink her personality and be-
very near to II. She had filed her own
particular place in the scheme Of
things too long to give up her indepen-
dence willingly for the seclusion of q
home. She was also afraid that in an
unguarded moment he would learn how
much he was to her. She faced this
thought now. For the moment it had
been forgotten in the pleasure of his
presence, but it returned with force as
he said slowly:
II had the feeling you were going
away and made it my business to find
out where. Don't blame your sister.
She was loyal to your wish | should
not be told. but that small nephew o.
yours took me into his confidence and
after five minutes talk broke every
speed law that has been enacted and
Just made train connections. | reached
the pier as the gangplank was pulled
aboard. Do you think II was quite fair
he asked abruptly.
1T was sudden decision" she re.
piled rather lamely.
He did not seem to hear her You
ask me why l came. Because ! knew
YOU could not get away from me: that
we would have ample time to thrash
out our differences, time for me to con
vince you of the futility of your pres
ent attitude You have evaded me
long enough Before we return think
our understanding of each other will
be perfect
She turned upon him enraged. You
will spoil my trip"
NO" he answered gravely. but yoc
must know WHY came. | will not re.
vert to this talk 1t is enough for you
to feel that am here because of you"
Thereafter there was nothing per
sonal in their conversation. So com.
pletely did he ignore their talk on the
first night out from Halifax that, even
in the pleasure of his constant com
she began to wonder over
his silence Perhaps it was that for
which he was waiting a growing Dr..
pendence that made him necessary tn
her. Be that as il NAV he kent silent,
and therefore kept her thinking.
Near Cape Race the steamer ran in.
to a storm and from storm into heavy
depressing fog that shut her in COM
pletely All of one night aud into the
following day the siren and foghorn
rasped nerves ALREADY tense. Then.
when the fog was thickest. a horrible
shiver ran the length of the vessel.