Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-30

three delighted with Frank joyce.
Lauretta's romantic spirit had pro
duced many such episodes in the Car
son household.
They were all four sitting out under
the great gnarled apple tree having
cooling drinks, when huge yenOW car
stopped at the gate.
Lauretta's father went forward 70
see who the new arrival Was. ne
smiled geniaI'y when he discovered
the good.looking stranger to 20 On the
same mission as Joyce.
Jimmy Gains glanced swiftly 0Ve!
the group under the apple tree, and
approved most decidedly OF Lauretta.
He cast an unappreciative glance az
the recumbent Joyce. and pondexed
darkly as to his identity.
Lauretta smiled when Jimmy Gains
joined the unconventional circle ano
confided his reasons for coming.
"The letter that l posted IN INA!
box he said frankly. was proposal
to a girl. was highly upset at getting
no reply, and have been dashfng al
over the country trying to forget the
girl"
There was sympathy IN Mrs. Car
sons motherly expression, but Jim.
mys eyes seemed happily forsetfui
row that they had rested upon
Lauretta.
81 wish there had been dozens and
dozens of letters more in that box,
laughed Lauretta.
And a couple of dozen cars block.
ing the highway" Joyce insinuated'
and Lauretta had the grace to blush.
Jimmy Gains glowered at Joyce.
Jimmy had an odd feeling that
I.anretta was going to be the next and
last recipient Of a proposal from MIN
Things happened suddenly with JIM
my. Already he had thanked the tmps
of fate that had failed to give him
Blanche Markham. He had Known
only a passing love for her.
well. am lucky that Ignorance
led me to posting my letter In youl
box" Joyce said. Il say. why dom
YOU put the, old box back again. Yog
may catch some more messages ano
have a sort Of private mailing system
and friendshipmaker combined.
Bright head" laughed LaurettA 7
will put it back at once.
ut is using government property fo'
fraudulent purposes Jimmy put m
peevishly fearful Of whom Lauretts
might draw next into her net.
IT this is the result Of fraudulent
purposes" laughed Joyce gazing q
Lauretta. may we all become francs
I'm sorry you're not satisfied, OF
chap he added BY way OF rousint
| Jimmy's wrath.
Mr.. and Mrs. Carson exchanged al
amused glance. Lauretta went OH II
/ search of the box and more iced tea
81 am so satisfied" retorted Jimmy
/ that, I'll bet you I'll be marriet
| army officer before you're in khaki.
! Before further words fell from aston
ished lips. Lauretta returned.
.'Tne government property is m
longer government property. A TN.
wren has taken possession OF the OF
mail box. and I haven't the heart I
dispossess her. A little bird has save
me from further-blocking the hiSf
way" She looked mockingly at jim
my. We'll. has a bomb explode
/ here?"
Yes said Jimmy, grimiy, and gal
ed triumphantly at Joyce. "and Nv
taken the first enemy trench
| Go to it, old man. Joyce said. w
don't wear khaki in the navy, nor
we have trenches to take. I'm maj
ried. so can't enter the race
Jimmy found sudden liking 10
Joyce. He grinned and extended a
apologetic hand. Il fell so suddenly
he confided, and scant month late
told Lauretta Of his fall.
Miss Cecile Richards, 90l Jay stree
left Friday to visit relatives in De
Moines,