Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-10-05
Jacks CONSPIRACY.
By Albert Payson.

s. htWeN W WVuuSu uuupuVVe q,
& BY Albert Payson. g
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Jack" sobbed the girl, tits no use
Papa will never consent"
"Then let's run away and marry with
out his consent"
eve must be patient, Jack. Papa will
never relent. Whenever 1 speak of the
subject he talks about family pride and
asks how /, Ethel Marston, daughter of
the great fnancier, can think of marrying
mere clerk in my fathers employ"
| I'm not mere clerk Ethel. 1 am
assistant superintendent, and Pm earn
ing $500 year. In three years / ought
to have $4,000 year"
II know all that, dearest, and I'd love
you every single bit as dearly if you were
a beggar."
Jack Davis had grown thoughtful dur
1 ing the last few moments. AS Ethel fin
ished speaking he raised his head.
"Ethe," he said, your fathers family
pride is the very thing that will unite
| u.s."
"You have some plan, them"
eyes. sweetheart, ! have. But can't
tell it even to you"
"But, Jack, dear, il there is to be any
| blame I demand the right to share it with
! YOU
'Dear little grill" answered Davis, ten
Derby II know you would shield me from
all blame if you could. All ask is this,
whatever is said or done that you don't
understand don't be surprised-take it as
a matter of course" ~
II promise, Jack. but l don't under
stand"
81 mean that you must show surprise
at nothing-evcn if your father insists on
your marrying me-
Jack, forbidden to call on Ethel ut her
fathers house, had met her this January
afternoon on Fifth avenue. She WIS on
her way to the home Of an old school
friend, with whom she was going to dine
and spend the night.
"By the way. dearest" asked Jack rs
they said goodby on the steps Of the
friends house. Eat what time do you e1-
pect to go home tomorrow morning."
"About 10. think" she answered.
''Will you promise to reach your ia
TIERS house exactly at 1912"
why, yes,' said Ethel, utterly mysti-
fed, and was out of earshot before her
question was finished.
Amos Marston sat leisurely glancing
over the paper in his dining room the
following morning.
The mantel clock struck as the stolid
butler entered the dining room and an
: nounced:
"Mr. John Davis!"
Amos Marston started at the name.
) Then it occurred to him that Jack, in his
capacity of assistant superintendent, had
called in reference to some matter OF
business, and he growled:
''Show Mr.. Davis in here"
A moment later Jack Davis entered the
room. His demeanor was easy and con-
fdent, yet in nowise staggering.
"Well, sir?" said Amos Marston.
. "Well?" remarked Davis, sitting down
. unbidden and smiling benignly on the
older man.
There was short pause. and then Da.
Wis spoke:
II may as well come to the point" he
said. Congratulate me on my marriage
II am heartily glad to hear of it," an
severed Mr.. Marston. II am glad you
4 have got over your infatuation for my
j daughter and married some one in you,
own rank Of life. Who is it that yor
have honored now with your adoration?'
Miss Ethel Marston," .coolly replied
Jack.
do you mean
Jack said nothing.
Marston quickly reviewed the events o.
the past day. Ethel had left home OF
the plea of spending the night with ,
7 friend She had then met this fellow b.
: appointment and secretly married him.
Ethel will be here at 10 o'clock" wen
on Jack, with the same easy coolness o
manner. II came on ahead to talk t,
you"
4 Marston's only answer was a groan.
The thing was done. There was II,
use crying over spilled milk. He rang tn
bell fercely, scrubbed few words OF
half dozen cards and handed them t
. the butler.
"See that each of these notes is sent a
: once to it's address," he commanded.
t The cards were addressed to severt
: well known members of the social coteri
: which the Marston family adorned. o.
: each card was written:
4 Ny daughter Ethel and Mr.. JOHN Davis. VIII
have been secretly engaged, with my full consent
= for some time. are to be married at my home d
10 a. M. today. The necessity Of Mr. Davis in
). mediate departure for Europe on pressing bus
d uSsS NhA hio capacity do JuuluF PuiliieE III
: firm Of Amos Marston 4 Coz causes this hurrie
ceremony
Mr. Davis refuses to leave America unless m
v daughter accompanies him. My beg YOU to b
present at the marriages AMOS MAnsToS.
" At exactly 10 o'clock the bell rang, an
Ethel Marston entered the house. Mars
ton called the two young people aside.
"Since you have chosen to disgrace tn
u Marston name by vulgar selopement
Ethel" he began sternly, II insist o
: your both making such slight reparatio
S as is in your power. Mr.. Davis, on you
i, return from Europe you will be my par,
s ner. Here is money enough for you
travelling expenses. But" with a brea
: in his stern voice. ETHEL, I'll never fol
give you this deception on your poor oil
father. ! make this concession to saw
u our family name from stigma. But mint
s ! demand that you both swear never I
reveal the fact that you were secret
# married last night"
Five minutes later Jack Davis an
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