Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-16

had not met Rolfe. That he should
keep away from him was, in itself,
Without a doubt he knew
the truth.
Max wondered whether Charlie had
told his sister nything-whether ne
had told her the truth, and the reason
of her determination not to speak
was not to incriminate him. He knew
in what strong affection she held her
brother-how she always tried to
shield his faults and magnify his vlr'
tues. Yet was it not only what might
be very naturally supposed that she
would do? Charlie was always very
good to her. To him, she owed practl-
cally everything.
And so he pondered, smoking in ST.
lence while the band played and the
after-dinner idlers gossiped and flirt-
ed on that dimly-lit lawn. He ponder
ed later on when he took her to OK
ford street by the tube" and saw her
to the corner of the street in which
Cunningbam's barracks were situated,
and he pondered as he drove along Pic
cadilly to tho Travellers to have
final drink before going home.
Next morning, about eleven, he was
in his pleasant bachelor sitting room
in Dover street going over some &C
counts from his factor up in Scotland
when the door opened and Charlie
Rolfe entered, exclaiming in his usual
hearty way:
"Hullao, Max, old chap, how are
your
Barclay looked up in utter surprise
The visit was entirely unexpected, and
so intimate friend was Rolfe that he
always entered unannounced.
In moment however, he recovered
himself
"Why, Charlie" he exclaimed, mo-
tioning him to an easy chair on the
other side of the fireplace, you're
quite a stranger. Where have you
been all this long time?"
ooh! I thought you knew through
Marion I've been up in Glasgow. Had
lot of worries at the works labor
/ troubles and all that sort of thing
he replied. "Those Scotch worknen
are utterly incorrigible, but must say
that it's due to agitators from our side
of the border"
eyes; l saw something in the papers
the other day about an impending
strike Have cisar!' and he pushed
the box toward his friend.
"There would have been a strike If
the old man hadn't put his foot down.
The men held a meeting and reconsid-
cred their position. It's we'll for them
they did. otherwise l had orders to
close down the whole works for six
months-or for year, if need be-
"But you'd have lost heavily,
wouldn't you?"
Lost. | should rather think so. We
should have had to pay damages for
breach OF contract with the Italian
railways to the tune of a nice round
sum. But what does it matter to the
guv'nor. When he takes stand
against what he calls the tyranny Or
labor, he doesn't count the cost"
"Well" sighed Max, looking across
at Marion's brother, its rather nice
to be in such a position, and yet
"And yet it isn't all honey to be in
his shoes-eh? No, Max, it isn't" he
said. 81 know more about old Sam
than most men, and III tell you I'd
rather be as l am than stifled by
wealth as he is. He's millionaire in
gold, but pauper in happiness
81 can't help thinking that his I'M
happiness must in great measure,
be due to himself" Max remarked,
wondering why Charlie had visited
him after this length of time. 81
think if | had his money l should try
. and get some little enjoyment out OF
it. Other wealthy men have yachts,
or motor cars, or other hobbies. Why
doesn't ho?"
Because ne doesn't care for sport
He told me once that in his younger
days abroad he was as keen a sports
man as anybody. But nowadays he's
too old for it, ana prefers his arm
chair"
"And yet he isn't a very old man
; is he?"
sometimes wealth reiuvenates {
man. but more often the worry of il
ages him prema turely." Rolfe remark
ed. 81 only got back from Glasgow
AGAIN last night, and l thought It
: look in and see you. Seen Marion
lateiy?'
81 was with her at Earls Court las
: nieht. She's all right"
Then a silence fell between the
: pair. RClfe lit the cigar he had beer
| slowly twisting between his fingers
: Max looked furtivelv into his friend
face. irving to read what secre
e thought lay behind Charlie however
d preserved his usual eas". nonchalan
: air rs he leaned back in his chair, III
y weed between his teeth and his hand
clasped behind his head.
q "Look here, Charlie" Max exclain
. ed ct last. in tone Of confidence. 9
Z want to ask you sometime.
The other started visiblv. and hi
checks went just trifle pa1er
well. go on old chan He lau"ha
uneasily. What is it," And then h
10 held his breath.
Its about old Statham.'
"About old Stathan!" the othe
II echoed, breathino freelv again.
eyes. Do you know that there ar
s. going about London lot OF auee
O. stories regarding that house Of his
Parl Lane = mean a lot MOI
stories"
more stories," LAUGHED the priva1
= secretary. "Well, what are people sa
le ing now?"