Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-08-27

been cut in half by ne of the big lin
ers and had sunk like stone with
more than half the passengers and
crew. Only those on deck, and not
all of them, mad been rescued Tis-
dale heard the news by chance through
the telephone. In the next room Hugo
was still sleeping. Tisdale let him
sleep on. What an escape he had had!
His housekeeper came in. He told
her that a friend was with him, and
ordered her to broil some bacon and
buy hot rolls Then he called Hugo
Hugo seemed to be better for sound
Slightly congested look; his skin had
cleared. He has tremendous vital
ity,' reflected Tisdale; what a pity
it should run to waste" This, indeed.
was his hobby: the conservation of en-
ergy. 1t exasperated him to think that
the tides ebbed and flowed twice dur
ing each day, and that tae world made
no practical use of this tremendous
manifestation of force.
After breakfast, Hugo looked at his
watch and said carelessly: "The Luna
is due at Saint Malo at ten l shall
wire to my Chauffeur"
Then Tisdale said slowly:
do you beneve in coincidence
Charteris?"
Coincidence" Something in the
doctors tone arr sted his attention
81 don t." continued Tisdale. 81 try
to see purpose behind everything. |
q NO t,,.so
are empty words to me; but believe
profoundly in Almighty God"
Hugo stared at him. The match
with which he was about to light his
pipe f1ickered and went out Tisdale
leant forward. His voice trembled
WAS it chance brought you here
last night?"
Something has happened" said
Hugo quickly.
yes, the Luna will not arrive at
Saint Malo today. Sic went down
last night few miles to the southwest
Of Needless"
Hugo repeated the words in sort of
dazed whisper, and then there was
a long silence, before Tisdale added
the details. Hugo listened stupefied
unable at first to apprehend the catas
trophe. Then he started up.
"Its not in the papers"
1T will be in the afternoon papers,
II must wire to my brothers wife
Tisdale noticed the odd wording
Why should Charters wire to his
brothers wife instead Of to his broth
er? With gesture he indicated some
forms upon the right side Of his desk
Hugo scrubbed a few lines, and then
stood up, staring at Tisdale with q
curious light in his eyes.
$50 you are convinced that there Is
purpose behind everything?"
Absolutely"
Hugo laughed.
"If you are right, it's my duty to try
to interpret that purpose"
"Well?"
| Hugo did not answer. He began tc
pace up and down the small room
Presently, he paused
did you tell your landlady that
was here? Mention what an escape
had had?"
mo I couldn't gossip with he,
about it,"
Nine men out Of ten would hayt
done SO. Purpose again."
Again he laughed not ironically but
with boyish spontaniety that aston
ished Tisdale. A minute or tive
passed, and then Hugo said incis
lively:
Suppose told you that 7 had
fancy to read my own obituary no
tices?"
Are you Joking. Charter1s7 A
the expense of your family-you
friends
Hold hardl I'm deadly serious
Tisdale; I don't think I was ever 81
serious in my life, because this is al
opportunity to do what Joy told me
To begin again"
Tisdale gasped.
will benefit enormously by my death
Every penny of mine is left to my onl
brother. Ever since he inherited tn
old place, his life has been fulfill
struggle to make both ends meet.
have offered to help him, but he's a
proud as Lucifer. To him, to his wife
who is sweet creature, to his fou
sons, my death will be the most oppol
tune thing that ever happened An
every man, woman. and child on a
enormouse estate viii profit, too. TIL
income which | have squandered wi
be spent wisely"
But"
| Wait! You mention friends.