Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-08-11

CHIC IL would nave dled, said Hugo
with grim smile.
His first meeting with George Ven
nable followed The parson said lit
tie, a few courteous, carefully-chosen
words, out plainly he was impressed
His clear blue eyes. which lacked the
vitality of his daughters, rested en-
quiringly upon Hugo, asking questions
the tongue was too polite to put. In
conclusion he said nervously:
you have set us an example, Mr.
Charters. You have given me a lead
over an awkward fence. | shall turn
the Rectory into hospital for Hern-
shaw Magma. am going to see Prag-
son about 1t at once All! here's Sir
Giles"
Sir Giles rode up on his pampered
cob. He had heard the news-who
had not? The Misses Mottisfont at
breakfast learned from pretty Esther
that Mr.. Charters had saved the life
Of her youngest sister; and by lunch
time they knew Of what was happen
Ing at Jordan cottage. DR.. Snelgrove,
who happened to call about ten,
damned the crusade with faintest
praise. He was doubtful about anti
toxin treatment, preferred old-fash-
Toned, well-tried remedies. AS for
this stranger, layman who had dared
to perform such a delicate operation
as tracheotomy-well, all he could
eff the child had died, what them"
say was that experiments Of that sort
were quite unsuitable!
Fortified by this opinion, and by a
glass of cherry brandy, which the
Misses Mottisfont had insisted upon
Mornin', George!"
Good morning, Giles, how are
your
"only $685. Sir Giles replied cross
ly. "This COMPOUNDED animal bit me
this morning, when 1 was mounting
him."
upon the principle that all flesh is
grass, suppose" Then, in his pleas
ant, leisurely voice the parson con-
tinued:
Let me introduce Mr.. Charters.
Sir Giles Mottisfont.
Hugo bowed; Sir Giles inclined his
head stiffly, the points of his starched
collar making dents in his plump pink
chin. He blinked owlishly at Hugo,
whose glance was slightly discomfort
ing. Then he said irritably: what
is this hear about an hospital?"
The parson explained with a twin
kle in his mild eyes. Sir Giles
frowned; his pink complexion assumed
a shade of purple, not quite SO becom-
ing to him.
81 ought to have been consulted,
he growled.
''You were consulted, and you did
nothing"
Hugo slipped away"
"That young man." said George Ven
nable, indicating Hugo's retreating
back, has done what we ought to have
done''
"I deprecate haste" said Sir Giles.
"Who is this young man? What do
you know about him? Where does he
come from?"
"As to that can't answer you; he's
a friend Of Esme Burgess. His pluck
and common sense saved one of the
Purkess children last night"
Priscilla informed me-" He pursed
up his lips THAT sort of thing ap-
peals to the gallery, no doubt, but it's
not sound, not sound"
"My dear Giles, forgive me! but
must say it-Pooh!"
"Snelgrove, good man Snelgrove,
very sound man, Snelgrove says it
might have been manslaughter."
George vennable smiled. Into his
blue eyes came frosty light.
"Snelgrove is right. It might have
been manslaughter In Jessie Now
lands case it was manslaughter, and
we, you and I, Giles, ought to be in
dicted."
"'Pon my world"
IT take my share of the blame, but
it's lighter than yours. And now my
dear fellow, if you won't help, don't
hinder"
The parson hurried into the cottage,
leaving his portly brother-in-law agape
with establishment and apoplectic In
appearance.
Hes Rad, is George" he NUT
tered. "a Rad. I always knew 1t!
If this sort of thing is encouraged,
the Forest won't be a fit place to live
In"
He rode on. Opposite the tavern
some children curtsied. A couple Of
men touched their hats, assuming the
adulatory smirk so familiar in village
streets and SO soothing to a certain
order of mind. Sir Giles brow
cleared. His own people understood
him. George Vennable, all said and
done, was an outsider Sir Giles gave
the children three-penny bit, and
saluted the two men with affability.
They we're notorious loafers. but they
never forgot to touch their hats to
authority, and on that account author
ity, even on the bench, tempered jus.
tice with mercy. Sir Giles rode on
till he came to the Mowland cottage.
He remembered little Jessie, and in
tended to speak a word to Mrs. Now.
land. She came out of the cottage
as he approached. Two children stood
beside her. The three dipped rever-
emily as Sir Giles pulled rein. When
| he cleared his throat with preliml-
nary "Ahem!" they dipped again.