Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-14

back On seeing clergyman, but she
brazened it out:
Mr.. Rossmore's not home" Then
shaking her head, she added: .'They
don't see no visitors"
Unabashed, the Rev. Deetle drew a
card from case and handing it to
the girl said pompouuiy:
Then we will see Mrs. Rossmore.
saw her at the window as we came
along. Here. my girl, take her this
card. Tell her that the Reverend Pom
Tick Deetle and Miss Deetle have call
ed to present their compliments
Brushing past Eudoxia, who vainly
tried to close the door, the Rev. Deetle
coolly entered the house, followed by
his sister, and took seat in the par
| lor.
She'll blame me for this" walled
! the girl, who had not budged and who
stood there lingering the Rev. Beetles
card.
! Blame you? For what?" demanded
4 the clerical visitor in surprise.
/ She told me to say she was out
but / can't lie to minister of the
/ Gospel-leastways not to his face. I'll
give her your card, sir"
The reverend caller waited until
Eudoxia had disappeared, then he rose
and looked around curiously at the
books and pictures.
"Hum-not Bible or a prayer book
or a hymn book, not picture or any
thing that would indicate the slightest
reverence for holy things"
He picked up few papers that were
lying on the table and after glancfng
at them threw them down In disgust.
Law reports-Wall Street reports
the god of this world Evidently very
ordinary people, Jane
He looked at his sister, but she sat
stifly and Drimly in her chair and
made no reply. He repeated:
Didn't you hear me? I said they
are ordinary people,"
i've no doubt retorted Miss Dee.
tie, land as such they will not thank
us for prying into their affairs"
"Prying, did you say?" said the par
son, resenting this implied criticism
of his actions.
Just plain prying," persisted his
sister angrily. II don't see what else
it is"
i The Rev. Pontifex Strengthened up
and threw out his chest as he replied:
1T is protecting my flock. AS Lead
er of the United All Souls Baptismal
Presby terry, it is my duty to visit the
widows and orphans Of this commune
ity."
''rhese people are neither widows
nor orphans" objected Miss Deetle.
They are strangers" insisted the
Rev. Pontifex, "and it is my duty to
minister to them-if they need it.
Furthermore it is my duty to my con-
!, gregation to find out who Is in their
r,,{d rf 70 hor of - I odx
Trustees Of my church have asked me
!, who and what these people are and
J, whence they came"
4 "The Lady Trustees are pack Of
old busybodies,' growled his sister.
u Her brother raised his finger warn.
ingly.
Jane, do you know you are uttering
j, a blasphemy? These Rossmore people
have been here two weeks. They have
!. visited no one, no one visits them.
They have avoided temple of wor-
, ship, they have acted most mysterious
ly. Who are they? What are they
hiding? Is it fair to my church. Is II
, fair to my flock? 1t is not a bereaye-l
!, ment, for they don't wear mourning.
I'm afraid it may be some hidden
, scandal"
Further speculations on his part
. were interrupted by the entrance Of
Mrs. Rossniore, who thought rightly
that the quickest way to get rid Of
her unwelcome visitors was to hurry
downstairs as quickly as possible.
Miss Deetle-Mr. Deetle. am
much honored," was her not too eff
fusive greeting.
The Reverend Pontffex. anxious to,
make a favorable impression, was all
smiles and bows. The idea Of pos
!, sible scandal had for the moment
ceased to worry him.
"The honor is ours" he stammered.
'I-er-we-er-my sister Jane and j
} called To-"
/ won't you sit DOWN." said Mrs.
: Rossmore, waving him to a chair. He
7 danced around her In manner that
: made her nervous.
THANK you so muoh,' he said with
smile that was meant to be amiable.
He took seat at the further end Of
t the room and an awkward pause fol-
: lowed. Finally his sister prompted
3 him:
"You wanted to see Mrs. Rossmore
! about the festival" she said.
! "Oh. of course, I had quite forgot.
ten. How stupid OF me. The fact Is,
, Mrs Rossmore," he went on, 1--WE are
, thinking of giving festival next week
ia festival with Strawberries and
: our trustees thought, in fact it oc-
Cured to me also that If you and Mr..
. Rossmore would grace the occasion
with your presence it would give US
the opportunities to speak-get bets
|. ter acquainted, and err"
y
], CONTINUED in next issue.)
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