Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1905-10-21
CHApTER. vIu-(Continued. !

me. Amt nobody likely to come, less
it's 'Gusty or the Rev. Perley come to
ask bout John. If it's middlin' good
lookin' young woman with a satchel,
that's 'Gusty. Don't whistle. Tell her
I'm out. I'll be back in a jiffy, but
you needn't tell either of them SO I'M
less your conscience hurts you too
much"
After the captain had gone Ralph
took down a volume Of the Great
Commanders" and sat down in chair
by the table to look it over. He was
smiling over the gaudy illustrations
and 1amboyant descriptions of bat
ties when there was a step on the
walk outside and knock at the door.
Which is it." he thought, "'Gusty or
the reverend?"
Obviously it was Miss Black. She
stood on the mica slab that formed the
step and looked up at him as he swung
the door open. She had a small leather
bag in her hand, just as the captain
had said she would have, but it flashed
across Mr.. Hazeltine's mind that the
rest of the description was not fair
one. She was certainly much more
than "middlin' good lookin'!'
lis Captain Hedge in?" she asked.
Now, from his friends hints Ralph
had expected to hear a rather sharp
and unpleasant voice--certain disagree.
able remembrances of former encoun-
tiers with female book agents had help.
ed to form the impression perhaps
but Miss Blacks voice was mellow,
quiet and rather pleasing than other
wise.
"No," said Mr.. Hazeltine, obeying or
Nders with exactitude. Captain Hedge
is out just now
seem to fit-was manifestly disappoint-
ed.
"Oh, DEAR" she said, and then added,
'9Will he be back soon?"
Now this was question unprovided
for. Ralph stammered and then mis-
erably equivocated. He really couldn't
say just when the captain would re.
turn.
"Oh, dearw said the young lady
again. Then she seemed to be waiting
for seme further observation on tho
part Of the gentleman at the door.
None being forthcoming, she seemed to
make up her mind to act on her own
initiative.
II think I will come in and wait"
she said with decision And come in
She did, Mr.. Hazeltine not knowing
exactly what to do under the circum-
stances.
Now this was much more in keeping
with the electricians preconceiyed
ideas Of a book agents behavior New
ertheless when he turned and found the
young lady standing in the middle OF
the floor he felt obliged to be at least
deeently polite
"Wont you take a chair?" he asked.
"Thank you" said the caller and
took one.
The situation was extremely awk.
ward, but Ralph felt that loyalty to
Captain Fri forbade his doing any
thing that might urge the self pos
sessed Miss Black to prolong her visit,
so for time he said nothing. The
young lady looked out of the window,
and Mr., Hazeltine looked at her. He
was more than ever of the opinion that
the 'sniddlin' term should be cut out
of her description. He rather liked her
appearance, so he decided He liked
the way she wore her hair, SO simple
an arrangement, but so effective. Also
he liked her dress. 1t was the first tai
lor made walking suit he had seen
since his arrival in Orham. And worn
by country book agent of all people.
just then Miss Black turned and
caught him intently gazing at her She
colored, apparently with disbleasure,
and looked out of the window again.
Mr.. Hazeltine colored also and fidgeted
with the book ON the table. The situa-
ton was confeundedly embarrassing
He felt that he must say something
now, SO he made the original observa-
ton that 1T had been pleasant day.
To this the young lady agreed, but
there was no enthusiasm in her tone.
Then Ralph, nervously fishing for an
other topic, thought Of the book In his
hand.
Il was just reading this he said. ~
found it quite interesting"
The next moment he realized that he
had said what of all things was the
most impolitic. 1t was nothing less
than bid for a canvass" and he fully !
expected to be confronted with the nee
essary order blanks without delay.
But, strangely enough, the book lady
made no such move She looked at
him, 1t is true, with an expression of
surprise and what seemed to be amuse-
ment on her face. He was certain that
her lips twitched as she said calmly:
Did you? am glad to hear it."
This dispassionate remark was en-.
tifely unexpected and the electrician,
as Captain Eri>would have said, lost
his bearings" completely.
"Yes-er-yes, he stammered. Every |
interesting indeed. II suppose you
must take a good many orders in the