Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1918-05-28

lay there snugly and securely, waiting
for the sheriff and his friend to rescue
them after dark.
'The lad had already disappeared,
smoking his corn-silks rapturously'
his dollar snug in the palm OF his
hand. And Kirke and I, without a
word, began patiently carrying the
bottles to the buggy. Again and again
we returned to the cluInp Of weeds,
counting the bottles as we carried
them out-a hundred and fifty OF
them, even.
"Then we got into the buggy, feet
outside, for the bed Of the buggy was
filled and piled high, covered with the
robe to discourage prying eyes, and
turned the little brown mare toward
town.
Connie, would you seriously oh.
iect to kissing me Just once? l feel
the need of it this minute-moral
stimulus, you know.
Ministers daughters have to be
very, very careful I told him IN an
even voice.
eve were both silent then as we
drove into town. When he pulled up
in front Of the house he looked me
straight in the face, and he uses MS
eyes effectively. y
You are darling he said.
II said, Thanks and went into the
house.
"He told me next morning what
happened that evening. OF course ne
was there to witness Matters dtscom-
future. He did not put in. appearance
until the sheriff and his friend were
climbing anxiously and sadly into the
light wagon to return home empty
handed. Then he sauntered from be-
hind a hedge and lifted his hat IN MS
usual debonair manner.
BY the way, Mr.. Sheriff. he be.
gan In quiet, ingratiating voice, l
hone am not to be called as witness
In that boot1egging case.
MATTERS snarled at him. Pooh, he
said angrily. you can't blackmail me
like that. You can't prove anything
on me. reckon the people around
here VIII take the word of the sheriff
Of their county against the booze
f,9htin' son of a Methodist preacher
"Kirke waved his hand airily Far
be 1t from me to enter into any de-
tense of my fathers son. But nun.
dred and fifty bottles are pretty GOOD
evidence. And speaking of witnesses.
I have q bunch that the people OF this
county will fall pretty hard for any
thing that comes from the lips OF the
baby daughter of the district super1n.
tendent of the Methodist church.
Matters hunched forward in his
seat. Connie Starr he said, In hol-
low voice.
"Kirke swished the weeds with his
cane-he has all those graceful affec.
tations.
MATTERS swallowed few times.
'old man Starr is too smart man
to get his family mixed up in politics.
he finally brought out. :,
Baby Con is OF age, think salu
Kirke lightly. And she is very all
vanced, you know, something of a re-
former, has all kinds Of emancipated
notions
matters whipped up and disap-
peared. and, Kirke went to prayer
meeting. Aunt Grace saw him; |
wasn't there.
"The next day met Matters on the
street Rather, he met me. :.
Miss Connie he said in friend
ly, inviting voice, you know there are
lots OF things in politics that girls
can't get to the bottom of. You know
my record, I've been a good, Metho-
dist since before you were born. Sure
you wouldn't go on the witness stand
on circumstantial evidence to make
trouble for a good Methodist, would
you?
IT looked at him with wide and
childish eyes. OF course not Mr..
Matters I said quickly. He bright
ened visibly. But If am called on \
witness stand ] have to tell what !
have seen and heard. haven't J. what
ever II is?'i asked this very innocent
~, as one seeking information only.
Your father wouldn't let young
girl like you get mixed up in any dirty
county Scandals he protested
n was-what do.you call it-sub-
poenaed-is that the word?' He for
got that was working In lawyers
ONCE. II was subpoenaed as a wit
ness, could father help himself?
"Mr, Matters went forlornly on his
way and that night Kirke came around
to say that the sheriff had informed
him casually that he thought his SER
vicos would not be needed on that
bootlegging case-they had plenty of
other witnesses-and out Of regard for
the family, ETC., etc.
"Kirke smiled at him. Thank you
very much. And, Matters, have a
hundred and fifty nice cold bottles In
the BASEMENT you get too warm
some summer evening come around
and I'll help you cool Off
Matters thanked him tncoherently
and went away.
THAT day Kirke and / had con-
fidential conversation. Connie Starr.
believe am half preacher right
now. You marry me, and will study
for the ministry
'Kirke Connor,' said, If any
fraction OF you is minister, 1t isn't
on speaking terms with the rest OF
you. That's certain And ] wouldn't
marry you If you were a whole con
ference. And don't want to marry
a preacher of all people. And anyhow
/ am not going to get married at all
AT breakfast the next morning
father said. I believe Kirke Conner is
headed straight, for good and all. Now
2 - IL,