Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-16
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to call upon when ="
did he say what brought him?'
Tom Alden interrupted.
| "Who?
The doctor your prospective land
lord" Then he chuckled, 81 saw hin
in Washington ten days ago, but hi
! said nothing about coming out. l won
der - yes. l did tell him you were
| staying with us. He seemed interested
why, ! never before saw the man.
Perhaps he has seen you, and, Nan
when once seen some women are not
forgotten"
-, She regarded him thoughtfully. "It
is surprising" she said at last, "hoW
very silly really clever man can be
at times"
She had been in her home month
when the accident occurred that ma
lenally altered her outlook upon life
UP to that time she had been absorbed
In her work as an illustrator and had
succeeded beyond her utmost expecta
tons. Then the seemingly impossible
happened. She fell and broke her right
arm and wrist - slipped upon the top.
most step OF the little stairway and fell
to the bottom. Her nanny found her
trumpled heap on the floor and pick.
ed her up rs Wallace Irwin knocked al
the open coor. The old colored woman
looked at him distractedly.
Il don know what ter do TO- nah lii
white baby, nah honey chill Miss
Mar'grit hab gone erway an dom
know what ter do"
He did not hesitate. With skillful
fingers and sure knowledge as to
what he was ABOUT he made the girl
comfortable. AS he put the finishing
touches to the banGages she opened
her eyes and looked straight into the
Keen gray ones above her Even in
her pa1n their expression puzzled her
She had seen that look in the eyes of
other men, but tina, It should be in
Wallace Twins caused her wonder.
ment and annoyance She had met him
but once since she had told him she
wuold take the house. And now? He
held her eyes steadily until a slow.
painful flush crimsoned her face and
she moved restlessly.
Il don't know YOU. she said, resent
fully
"Not yet" he returned whimsically,
but from now on devote myself to
furthering acquaintance"
"No. I-have my work to do
There will be no time" She
tried to steady her voice, and. to her
shame. began to cry
For moment he stood looking down
upon her. then turned and left the
house.
. I
y. She refused 10 go to the Aldens
when they begged her to come to them,
refused with stuhbornness she could
not explain except ny the oft expressed
assertion:
This is my home and nanny can
take care Of me as she has done all
my,life." But they persisted until Wal
lace Irwin told them to leave her in
peace.
II he expected gratitude for his in
reference he was disappointed. Nan
drew more within herself and he knew
her reserve was due to his one moment
OF self betrayal. Thereafter he was on
his guard, but being a man of swift
action he could not long tolerate the de-
lay and few days after the accident
he demanded her attention.
"Why did you run away from me
two years ago, NAM"
Run away? Why should II" She
hesitated, looking at him oddly. us it
really you? did not know it."
II have searched for you everywhere,
he answered gravely.
THAT was unnecessary" Her eyes
flashed. Uncle Dick had no right to
make me party to such will = in
parceling me out as he did his stocks
and bonds. preferred,to make my own
living as l have done"
True. But he did leave you to me
with the stocks and bonds and it was
up to me to find YOU
Her glance was curious. Were you
pleased to have wife thrust upon you
in SO arbitrary manner - to be fore
ed to marry girl, stranger because
of the knowledge she would be penni-
less if you did not "
He laughed. II had seen you several
times and the venture did not look I'M
desirable. But you gave me no chance
to make good. That was unfair AS for
the money, l don't want it. but | do
want you. l want the opportunity to
make you care. Will you give 1t to
me?'
She hesitated long before she replied