Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-01-31

once"
When she had left the room, a
strange, glorious light in her young
face, he began again to walk the floor
He was tingling in every vein. His
heart had begun to beat excitedly. He
tried to think of Jeanne, the awful
disease which was eating Blanche's
life away, but he could only feel the
pressure of his wards hands, the
warmth of her breath on his face, the
depth of her great, trustful eyes.
''Great God. what can this mean?'
he exclaimed.
He continued to walk back and forth
across the room for half an hour, then
he stopped suddenly and rang.
James obeyed the summons.
Where is Mr.. Talley?" he asked.
"In the study, at work. sir" James
saluted in military fashion.
THAT is ALL" The major went to
the study. where he found his private
secretary at work at typewriter.
"Talley,' he began. you wanted to
see me yesterday. | belieye?'
II did. major. | believe the amount
You were keeping for me is exactly
$5.O0o?"
you are right, Talley; that is the
amount, and, as told you, you can
get it at any time you wish. All you
4 have to do is to draw the check. |
will sign it,
Il have it ready now said the young
1 man handing Goddard slip of pa
per.
81 hope you are not thinking of leav-
ing me?" said the major, as he signed
the check.
"Not that, hut I am fatty disobeying
your iniunctions, major. You have
tried TO keep me out Of speculation,
but the temptation is too strong to re-
sst. This check covers all my savings.
and yet am going to put every cent of
it into &. n. & W. railway stock
"Oh, you can't be SO foolhardy, Tai
ley!"
81 am fortunately on the inside as
to the future outcome OF the stock,
declared the young man. Il have a
Young friend. Hubert johnson, the son
of the Wall street johnson. You know
him by reputation. Well, this friend
of mine happened to overhear con.
versation in his fathers Office which
let him on to an important secret. Ills
father and other big spectators have
formed syndicate to depress this
! stock. 1t has been going down like
lightning for the last two months
1t has reached its lowest notch. They
are certainly buying aitthegss.an lay
: their hands on. ! know l cannot b.
running any risk. / am in a sure deal
J l tell you this because l hope that yo,
! will take hand. had rather see you
make money than anyone. major, fol
1 YOU have been the best friend | hav,
ever had"
'sI shall not invest" answered God
dard; but wish you luck, Talley
9 hope it will make you rich.
0 Thank you major" The secretar.
put the check into his pocket.
ST have an important commission
for you, Talley." The major cleare
his throat, sat down at his desk
turned in his revolving chair an
crossed his legs. A slight color ha
risen in his face. Talley had neve
seen him look so handsome.
II am at your service. major"
What il l We're to tell you | ar
going to get married, Talley?"
The secretary stared. The carriag
of his typewriting machine, wit
which he was toying, fell with shar
click.
Are you in earnest, Maj. Goddard
"Quite in earnest, Talley. | hay
decided to marry my ward"
Miss Briscoe?" exclaimed Tale.
his face suddenly falling.
: Eyes, Miss Briscoe. And we have d.
cided, under existing circumstance
: that we will have the affair take plac
e in as quiet manner as possible.
want YOU to drive over to Rev. M
! Strothers at once and see if we ma
come to his house tomorrow NOR
? ing. If he consents, then I want yc
to attend to any other arrangement
without delay"
i The private secretary had turne
quite pale. His eyes were expande
anu HNtd III Il lielPlSss otdiC ou u
: face of his employer.
eHave you thought over this we
major?" he blurted out. suddenly.
e "Why do you ask that?" ask,
y Goddard, suspiciously.
pardon me-" stammered Talley,
only thought'-but it was not clear
+ Talley what he thought
= 81 do not understand your-yo'
= question, Talley," insisted the maic
''You know Miss Briscoe is young
= answered the secretary, "and-and S,
= has been so upset over your rece
= bereavement that I was afraid thu
through sympathy and vast intere
in you as her fathers friend and h
J benefactor, she might"
: 81, see," broke in the major; 'y
think she may hastily take step til
= might be regretted later, but you ne
= not be afraid, Talley. The truth
: Blanche and / once thought of ms
:. rying before met Mrs. Goddard.
- think you need have no fears on th
- score"