Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04

the table.
Johnson Boiler came shaking pleas
antly, albeit with countenance grave
enough. Mary came daintily and
,,thoughtfully. But Anthony Fry came
as one going to his doom-because the
Iinescapable thought had fastened il
his brain and every new, terrible sec
ond held less hope than the one be.
fore.
Coffee was poured then and food
iseryed and wilkins moved out
! lis he gone nowo' Mary asked
quietly.
| Yes" sighed Anthony
! Then, without wasting any more
time, wouldn't it be as well to decide
just what we are going to do!"
/ Anthony sighed bitterly
| Now that you have elected to
change into a very charming young
woman, have no idea of what we are
going to do, if you mean by way Of
getting you out unnoticed'
Mary's head went little higher
! "That is exactly what I mean, of
course said she. "As for my getting
into my own clothes, what else was
there to do? | couldn't wear those
ridiculous things you gave me: moth
ing in the world could have tempted
NE to 80 on the street in them, even
lii ! could have worn them tele-
phoned for Felice and had her bring
! my things because II wanted to feel
sane again. think, and if she hadn't
made snch wretched disturbance,
poor child, I'd have been into them
and out Of here long ago"
And l." escaped Anthony, Should
have had TO expIain.''
You're very precious Of that good
name of yours, aren't your Mary
asked tartly.
81 have always been.' said Anthony.
And then, all unaware that Marys
her eyes we're flashing opinions which
caused Johnson Boiler fairly to quake
with glee, Anthony's head dropped
lower and he stared Al his uatouehed
plate. The thought was there still
the awful menacing thing. coming
nearer each instant, growing stronger
and stronger.
1T must be lovely to be such a
thoroughly good and proper man."
Mary said sweetly. Couldn't you
possibly forget yourself for moment
and tell me how you plan TO get me
out of here? Couldn't YOU spend just
five minutes trying TO think just what
I'm going to tell my people?'
"Eh ~ gasped Anthony
'Oh, yes, I have people-a mother
and father and then some more"
Mary informed him. mice people, al
most as proper in their notions as you
are"
Anthony merely stared at her
numbly. Unconsciously, perhaps, she
had driven the last nail into his coffin.
Her people! Momentarily, he had for
gotten that she might have people
and might have to explain to them
just where last night had been passed.
But now, that she mentioned father.
it seemed to Anthony that be could
see mighty man, man of wrath
and muscle and perhaps man who
could slay with one blow and--oh,
there was no other way!
All his life, Anthony had SHE'D
from woman. All these last twenty
1--WE years he had thanked his lucky
stars that one OF them had never
shared him! He had been alone, to
live as he pleased and act as he
pleased and think as he pleased; mar
ried men do not do that, as witness
johnson Boiler, ensnared by Beatrice,
a decent enough young woman but
mis- ruler.
Yes, up to the age of forty-fye he
had been alone and contented year in
and year out, indulging every little
foible without soul to question, 60
ing as he liked and coming as he
liked.
But that was over now. That was
over and done with. forever! Anthony
Fry, with a tiny groan, looked up
from his plate and faced Mary.
young woman" said he deeply, sol
EMMY enough to cause Johnson Boil
Ter stop quaking and take to staring,
81 have avoided women all my life"
"Yes?'' Mary said.
Il have done so,' Anthony went on
steadily, marching to the gallows as
brave man should, with never falter
once he has started, because to my
possibly eccentric-mind. matrimony
has no attractions. The bachelor
state, L fondly ina gined. was to be my
chosen state until death"
Mary looked him over rather too
critically, examining the wrinkles at
the corners of his eyes and consider
ing the extreme width of his part.
THAT was good enough idea she
said heartily What has it to do WITH
getting me out of here9"
1T has great deal to do with it,
as you will see," Anthony said, with
a great, quivering sigh. For the fact
Of your presence l alone will take the
blame"
Thanks said Mary.
And since the blame is mine,
will make what amends I can" An
,hony Fry concluded. and neryed
though he was. his voice broke. u
Will consent to marry you,'
Ito be continued.J