Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-07-21
THE
MAN ON THE BOX
By HAROLD MacGRATH
Author OF "The Grey Cloak" puppet Crown"
Copyright. 1904, The Bobbs Morrill, Company.
a smile when you pleased him. Blu
he's changed in the last two years."

- sAAAAAo WAASA yoo pACdoCu ILL. LUZ
he's changed in the last two years."
How"
He doesn't take any interest in the
things he used to. He goes about az
If he had something on his mind; kind
Of absent-minded, you know; and for
gets tomorrow what he says to-day.
He always puts on good face, though,
when Miss Betty Is around"
"Ah. What night do have ff?'-
Of mind that question like this
would sound eminently professional
in Williams ears.
Sunday, possibly; 1t all depends on
Miss Annesley, sir. In Virginia nearly
every night was ours Here It's differ
ent." William hurriedly pulled on his
rubber boots and gloves, grabbed up
the carriage sponges, and vanished.
Warburton sat on the edge of the
cot and laughed silently. All this was
very amusing. Had any man, since the
beginning Of time, found himself in
like position? He doubted it. And he
was to be butler besides! 1t would be
something to remember in his old age.
Yet, once or twice the pins of his con-
science pricked him. He wasn't treat
Ing Nancy just right He didn't want
her to cry over his gracelessness; he
didn't want her to think that he was
heartless. But what could he do? He
stood too deeply committed.
He was puzzled about one thing,
h~x M srt L
he could not solve 1t with any degree
Of satisfaction. Why, after what had
happened, had she hired him? II she
could pass over that episode at the
carriage-door and forget it, he couldn't
He knew that each time he saw her the
memory of that embrace and brotherly
salute would rise before his eyes and
rob him of some Of his assurance-an
attribute which was rather well de-
veloped in Mr.. Robert, though he was
loath to admit 1t. If his actions were
a mystery to her, hers were none the
less so to him. He made up his mind
to move guardedly In whatever he did,
to practice control over his mobile
features SO as to avert any shock or
thoughtless sign Of interest. He knew
that sooner or later the day would come
when he would be found out; hut this
made him not the less eager to court
that day.
He shaved himself and was wiping
his face on the towel when Celeste
appeared in the doorway. She eyed
him, her head inclined roguishly to
one side, the exact attitude OF bird
that has suddenly met curious and
disturbing specimen of insect life.
"M'sieu Thames, Mees Annesley rides
thees morning. You will prepairre
yourself according, and she ratified
on in her absurd native tongue (every
other native tongue is absurd to us,
sou knowD-
He is charming and handsome,
With his uniform and saber;
And his fine black eyes
Look love as he rides by!"
while the chef in the kitchen giared
furiously at his omelette souffle and
vowed terrible things to Msieu thames
IL lie looked at Celeste more than twice
day.
Good morning" said M'sieu thames,
hanging up his towel. His face glowed
as the result of the vigorous rubbing
1t had received.
'13on jour!
"Don't give me any of your bong
joors, Miss, "-stolidly. There's only
one language for me, and that's En-
gaish."
Merci! You Anglaises are go con-
ceit! How you like me to teach you
French, eh, M'sieu Zhames?'
Not for me, shaking his head.
She was very pretty, and under or
dicary circumstances lie Cid
not finish the thought, but will for
him. Under ordinary circumstances,
M'sieu Thames would have kissed her.
NO teach you French? Non? EN-
traorrdnaire!" She tripped away,
laughing, while the chef tugged at his
royal and M'sieu Thames whistled
Hang the WITCH" the new groom
murmured. Her mistress must be
very generous, or very positive of her
own charms, to keep sprite like this
maid about her. wonder If I'll run into
Karloff?" Karloff! The name chilled
him, somehow. What was Karloff to
her! Had he known that she was to
be in Washington for the winter? What
irony, if fate should make him the
groom and Karloff the bridegroom! If
Karloff loved her, he could press his
suit frankly and openly. And, as mat
ters stood, what chance on earth had
he, Warburton? Chuck was right;
I've made mistake, and am begin
ming to regret it the very first morn
ing" He snapped his fingers and pro-
ceeded to the right wing, where the
horses were.
At nine o'clock he led Jane and Dick
out to the porte-cochere and waited
He had not long to loiter, for she came
out at once, drawing on her gauntlets
and taking in long breaths of the
morning air. She nodded briefly, but
pleasantly, and came down the steps
Her riding-habit was of the conven-
cLo