Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1916-08-20
IoRPE OBJECTS TO THE ARTIST BEING WITH HIS SWEETHEART

The next day happened to he a
Sunday, and a Sabbath peace de
seconded on the household John &C
Companlcd the Simmses to church.
where the farmer was evidently held
in high esteem. being an cider of the
community, After the service, when
groups OF residents gathered for a
few minutes chat before going their
separate ways, big, hulking fellow
approached and hailed the Simms
family with grufi cordially. Smms
introduced the newcomer.
This is Mr. Thorpe" lie said, with
a significant look at Burton. He's
the man who has spoke for Jessie
and he'll make her good husband
too.
The significance OF this needlessly
frank statement was not lost on John
1t was clearly meant as a climax to
the strained situation of the previous
night. Thorpe grinned, and at once
took Jessie away in the direction OF
the farm, so John merely uttered a
casual "Indeed2" and followed with
the others.
Thorpe did not go far. Waving a
hand to Simms, he lifted his hat i'll
awkward farewell OF the girl, and
turned into a path leading to his own
homestead, whcreupon Burton had tc
hear a long discourse on the mans
qualifications as JesSie's prospective
bridegroom, his main asset. apparent
! ly, being a we'll stocked farm clear OF
any mortgage.
After the midday meal. Burton In
vitcd the two young people to accom-
pany him for walk. The farmer gave
a grudging assent and the three went
off. John purposely steered the con-
versaton clear of personal matters.
He spoke Of the benefits of education
even III agricultural pursuits. and tried
to show that farming ought to be as
scientific as any other occupation.
He laid particular stress on the quiet
happiness attainable by reading good
books, and, choosing a sunlit clearing
near a stream, invited the others to
sit down while he read few selected
passages from Ruskins Sesame and
| Lilies"
Peter Simms listened eagerly, but
the girls mind seemed to wander
! Whether by accident or design Bur.
| ton could never determine afterwards
she got up after little while and be.
gan picking flowers Soon she was
hidden by the trees, but John and hel
brother assumed that she was not fat
distant Now, the fact was that Jessie
either knew, or guessed accurately
where a certain good-looking young
artist would be found at work At any
rate, she undoubtedly met Rober'
West, and the two began an earnest
talk, which quickly developed into
Jesse's posing as model while WeS
sketched her.
This. OF course, was very delightful
to the artistic temperament at Swee
seventeen, and the well-considerec
compliments of the town-bred mar
made strange music in the girls ears
In word. matters were progressing
quite nicely when Bill Thorpe brok,
in on an idyl. BY unfortunate chance
he happened to pass that way Will,
making for the Meadowland farm, anC
his anger at the sight OF what he re
garded as dissertation Of the Sabbath
was heightened by jealousy,
He approached so threateningl,
that Jessie screamed. and Yves
sprang up to protect her, whereupol
he was sent reeling by blow from
man twice his weight and OF mucl
/ stronger physique. Disregarding hi
PROSTATE rival, Thorpe seized the girl
lifted her in a bear-like hug and car
ried her home. Naturally, sh'
screamed and struggled, but her ap
peals fell on deaf ears. They did
however, reach Burton and he
brother, who feared that some evi
had betallen her, and could not at frs
determine where to search. When a
last they hit on the right direction anC
ran in swift pursuit, they were too
late to prevent Thorpe from fulfilling
his loutish purpose. Setting the CIR
on the ground in front OF her aston
ished father, who, with Mrs. Simms
was seated in the porch, he bawle(
angrily:
Nice thing, amt it, that felle
should find the girl he's going to mar
ry carryin' on with dude down Their,
in the woods?"
What d y mean" cried Simms
rising slowly and blinking at the &C
cuser and his captive.
lust what I've said" was the furi
Gus answer Some artist chap il
LAWN around Freshheld, and you
Jessie was down there settin' fer him
fer a picture, on the Sabbth.'
4 Each phrase formed wrathtu
crescendo which seemed to arouse ii
Simms an almost maniacal rage. HI
eyed the girl vindictively for few
sec ud>
! You JUS, hold her right there HI