Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-07-25

5AesEL .G.EH $1,000 ~
The most respectable female he had
ever seen opened the door. Small,
steel-gray eyes glinted out of a shiny
expansive of pink flesh. A white cap
crowned some wisps of grizzled hair,
parted in the middle and plastered
tight to the head, as If with the deter.
mination that what was left of a once
abundant crop should not be suffered
to. escape. An immaculate apron, be-
spoke the ~housekeeper who is rich
enough to afford a cook.
'Yon have apartments to let?"
The respectable female eyed the
stranger sharply. Her round, SNUG
face could hardly be said to relax, but
almost Immediately it was suffused
with a pleasant glow. Even the great
McAllister had remarked that the face
of the defendant was, unhappily, more
likely to inspire confidence than dis
trust.
Certainly. Please come in, sir.
There's a nice fire in the sitting ROOM"
Hugo was ushered into a small,
square room on the left, simply fur
nished with substantial furniture.
Three easy-chairs had been designed
obviously forsthe the comfort Of the
sterner sex. Near the fireplace stood
what used to be called a c%hiffonier.
Upon the top of this were some really
excellent bits of lustre and a couple
of Toby-jugs. Back to the wall was a
piano with a high top Of futed red
silk. A red fock-paper covered the
walls, upon which hung half a dozen
sporting prints of 1.-THE Right Sort
doing the Thing Well" Red rep cur
tains fanked the double easement. A
canary, in a gilt cage, put his head
on one side and examined Hugo with
beady, bright eyes.
Very snug" said Hugo.
"All the gentlemen say that sir. AS
was: Give a man good v%ictuals, an
easy bed, and a comfortable room, and
what more can he want?'"
Hugo saw a jar of tobacco OF the
mantel-shelf, and a couple of briar
pipes beside it.
you have other lodgers?"
"Only one, sir: a young gentleman,
very well connected, very pleasant
young gentleman, Mr.. Esme Burgess.
You'll have heard of him?"
"Mr. Esme Burgess? Never"
Dear me! He did great things at
Oxford, sir. And he's going into Parli-
Rment. And, excuse me, sir, he
mightn't like it mentioned, but"-her
voice sank to a thrilling whisper-'he
-writes!"
Horses shall not drag that secret
from me-"
Thank you kindly, sir. He's the
only ledger | have at present. In the
summer, we'll, there! l turn 'em away
from the door every fine day, l do
indeed"
I'm sure of it. I fancy I may have
met Mr.. Burgess on the links: a
handsome young man, with dark eyes
and hair"
"And a beautiful smile, sir"
Captivating! A young lady was
with him"
Miss Joy vennable that would be.
AS good as she's pretty. Parsons
daughter, too. And they amt always
just what they should be. Shall
show you the bedrooms, sir??"
eff you please"
When they descended, a few min
utes later, arrangements had been
made: most satisfactory from the
landlady's point of view, for Hugo
had paid a five pound note on account,
the best letter of credit in boarding
house circles. And he had not bag
gled about terms!
when shall L look for you sir?"
Tonight, at tea-time. By the way,
why do you call this Jordan Cot
taBe?"
Because it stands on the banks O
Jordan
81 see; that is the name of the
brook I crossed just now"
There's no better water in the
Forest OF VS., and soft. My!"
But why %Jordan7'
cts always been called Jordan,
sir"
Perhaps the river in Palestine, the
river in which Naaman was washed
and was made clean, was called after
this pretty stream"
Mrs. Owbridge laughed.
"You gentlemen will have your joke,
but I dessay there's more in the
name than meets the eye. Naaman, to
be sure! A leper! And he came out
white as snow, but no whittier than my
apron, I'll be bound. That was washed
in our Jordan"
Hugo did not correct her, but he