Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1902-06-10

olo 1t happen? Tell us about it,"
Well" replied Sampson, 81 heard
him hunting around in that closet and
opened the door to see what he was
up to. After that there's blank kind
of mixed up with shooting stars, COM
cts and other bright things"
Where did lie hit you?' inquired
Guy?"
Give it up"
THAT is exactly what Guy did. Either
the printer had had a timely attack of
heart failure or else he was shamming.
What's this?" asked Comfort who
had wandered into the closet and was
now standing with his eyes fixed on the
door. The next moment he stepped
back into the hall, pulled the door shut
and allcould see that there was letter
i fastened to one of the panels with a
pin. The crowd surged forward
eagerly.
For that arch-conspirator, Keev-
4 er, with the compliments of Col. Din
gle, read Mr.. Glimmer as he ierked
the note from the door and handed it
to the Colonel.
Read it, Colonel" chorused the
crowd, palpitating with curiosity.
The Colonel tore off the end of the
envelope and drew out the inclosed
sheet. His eyes flashed fire as he
swept over the few lines the note con-
tanned, his face became convulsed with
passion and his breast shook with his
labored breathing.
Read it, read it," clamored the BY
ISLANDERS.
"No!" roared the Colonel. "This is
for me alone, for me. I have borne
with this contemplate cur beyond en-
durance. The villain! The rascal!
Let him look to himself now if he
can!"
The Colonel spun about on his heel
and made off ragefully as fast as he
was able. Sampson shSt after him
and then the crowd disintegrated by
twos and threes and drifted in the d.
rection of the post Office, discussing
the exciting events of the morning
and asking each other what that note
could possibly have contained to set
the Colonel off at such tangent.
"A favorable moment presenting
itself, Guy drew Pedro into the par
lor on the second floor.
"Those two Sisters of Charity are
staying in this hotel, aren't they, Mr..
smith?" asked the young man.
eyes," replied Pedro.
where did they come from? Do
you know"
II don't know thing about them.
They haven't spoken half a dozen
words to me-"
"Have you made any guess as to
what they are here for?"
Some charity or other, suppose"
"Please ask them to come to this
parlor. Tell them that gentleman
who is charitably disposed would like
short interview with them
Pedro's eyes opened wide as he went
away to carry out Guys request.
Presently there was rustic of gar
ments along the hall and the two la
dies. still deeply yelled, entered the
parlor. Guy bowed. They acknowl-
edged the greeting with a slight
courtesy. Pedro was standing in the
door.
II will join you in the office in
few moments, Mr.. Smith," said Guy,
significantly, and Pedro went away
disappointedly.
The young man waited until he
heard the proprietor's footsteps de-
scend the length of the stairs and
then advanced to one of the ladies and
handed her the chain which he had
found short time before.
"You must have the clasp repaired,
Miss Vlandingham," he said, in low
tone.
Both ladies started back instructive
ly; and then low laugh came from
Miss Betty as she switched her veil
aside and revealed her smiling face.
"You are very kind, Mr.. Herbert"
said she, taking the bracelet. She
turned to her companion. "Lois, this
is the gentleman of whom I was tell
ing you. We are discovered, you see,
in spite of all our precautions, and
that proves that the best laid plans
of mice and maids gang aft agley. Mr..
Herbert, Miss Pinkney"
Miss Pinkney was treasured by her
companions confident manner and
likewise dropped her veil She was
darkly beautiful girl and, although
she seemed a trife frightened, her
gaze was steady and her lips Were
rigidly firm. She bowed formally.
miss Pinkney," resumed Miss Bet
ty, lis very dear friend of mine
and quite as determined to assist in
winning the county seat as am"
s'You have both been very reckless"
said Guy, gravely. "The citizens of
Concord are exceedingly. wrought up
over the events Of the morning, and
I tremble to think of your position if
you CHANGED to be discovered"
eve shall not be discovered" an
swered Miss Betty, pertly. "That is,
not unless you see fit to reveal our
identity"
"You know would not do that"
retorted Guy, Indignantly.
But we are here in the interests of
Harmony, you know"
Il have no doubt of that"