Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-04-24

sHE CAME HASTILY UPON A GROUP OF MEN.
she nearly collided with man in over
alls who was coming out with bucket
of whitewash.
She knew at once that he must be the
sternly inquire what she wanted there
at half past 10 in the forenoon. On the
contrary, he did not even look sur
prised, whereupon she was angry with
him and more than ever convinced that
she was committing an indiscretion.
She felt q woman's impulse to stop
and tell this man her errand-that she
had just learned that Mr.. Morton's best
friend was in peck of trouble, that
3 she had every reason to believe Mr..
Morton to be totally unaware of it and
that she knew that Mr.. Morton would
4 be heartbroken If he should miss the
h chance to proffer instant help at such
q time.
Avoiding this absurdity by q strong
effort of common sense, Miss Weld hur-
ried up the first flight of stairs. 1t was
a crazy old building that had once been
great residence. The lower part had
recently been remodeled in the inter
ests Of trade and the upper part for
studios and bachelor dens. Its tenants
escaped all restrictions and formalities.
There was no one to care about their
I manners or morals, no one to receive
the cards Of visitors or aid or hamper
them in finding whom they sought.
AS she reached the foot of the second
hight Of stairs a mans head that had
not known brush or comb that morning
was suddenly thrust out into the hall,
and stentorian voice cried, 'Edward!"
Yes, sir" responded the janitor's
colored assistant, looking over the ban
lister rail above.
Miss Weld had been so startled that
she had run up the second stairs as if
for her life; otherwise she might have
perceived that there was something 60
ing on in the hall above and might have
turned back. AS it CHANGED, she came
hastily upon group of men, some Of
them in shirt sleeves and all talking at
5fSOnce.
They blocked the passage that led
i rearward to Morton's door. Miss Weld
knew where his rooms were. She had
been in them several times with other
young people, and adequately chaper-
oned. * She remembered that the hall
narrowed running backward from the
stairs and that Mortons parlor door
was the one, onsthe right at the end Of
this little corridor. -
is; She,thoughtYto pass the group of men,
but instantly perceived behind them a
more serious obstacle. 1t was large
sideboard of antique design. Miss Weld
perceived at once that the men were
moving it into the suit beside Morton's.
The door of those apartments was open,
and the young lady caught a glimpse
of the tenant enveloped in all enormous
bathrobe. She had slight acquaint-
ance with this gentleman, but she had
no inclination to meet him under these
circumstances. ! 1t seemed better to
wait until the siaeboard should be
moved in and the door closed.
Therefore Miss Weld lodged back
just as the gentleman started out to-
ward tile hall. She knew that he had
not seen her, and he could not do SO if
oAiC lue 5uclLtI VI Tic WalI
that curved around with the stairs. The
sideboard would prevent his coming
4 out, and she would have to wait only a
few minutes. Being somewhat exhaust
ed by the stress Of her emotions, she
sat down in @ niche that had been in
+ tended for a statue, having first spread
q newspaper over its dusty surface.
why in blue hades don't you bring
the thing in?" inquired the owner Of
the sideboard.
ITS stuck, sir" replied one Of the
men. 4
Z Miss Weld heard this with despair.
III the sideboard were going to make
my trouble, sshss could not wait for it.
Surely 1t would be better to go away
and find a messenger Office.