Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-03-19

the fitting rooms. And yet they were
not what Mr.. Warner termed busy"
The man, too, is mystery, like
Miss Rolfe Nobody knows his name.
He comes in sometimes, goes up to
her, and asks to be served with skirt
or something, and has it sent to Mr..
Evans at some chambers in Dover
street. The name is, of course, not
the right one said the head as
sistant.
But Miss Rolfe knows it, of
course?"
Probably she does"
And she meets him after business
hours?"
81 think so. But she keeps herself |
very much to herself, and is always at
home early"
Mr.. Warner glanced across at the
tall, fair-haired handsome girl, whose
| figure showed to such advantage in
her black satin gown. At that moment
she was displaying cheap tweed
skirt to two middle-aged women. Her
face, as he caught it's profile, was very
soft and refined, the contour of her
cheeks perfect, and the stray wisp Of
hair across the brow gave softness
to her countenance that was charming.
Many a stage girl whose photograph
was displayed in the shop-windows
was not half SO beautiful as the de-
mure, Woodworking shop-assistant,
Marion Rolfe.
The air of mystery surrounding
her. Mr.. Warner found in teresting,
and the love romance now in progress
he intended to watch. Towards his as
) sistants, he was never hard, and never
bullied them. He believed that by
treating them with kindness and with
the courtesy every man should show
towards woman he obtained the best
of their business abilities, as no doubt
he did. Warner Of the Costumes"
was known through the whole house"
as one Of the most considerable of
! men, and one of the most trusted of
old Mr.. Cunnington's advisers. Those
3 in his department were envied by all
r the other seven hundred odd assistants
in the employment of the great firm.
:, While Mr. Warner and Miss Thomas
2 were speaking, a smart-looking, fair
y haired, fair-moustached young man of
5 about twenty-five, in frock coat and
9 silk hat, entered, and walking up to
S the little office, greeted the buyer
S saying
: "Mr. Warner, I'm sorry to worry
l. you, but may | speak to my sister
t for a moment on some important
o family business? 1 won't keep her but
/ few moments, for l see she's busy"
: why, certainly, Mr. Rolfe,' was the
good-humoured reply, as Miss Thomas
went away to serve customer. Its
against our rules, as you know, but for
my own part can never see why a
young lady need be deDarred from
speaking to her own brother
You're always very good, Mr.. War
ner," responded the young man, "and
Ia like to thank you for many little
kindnesses you've shown to Marion"
"Oh, nothing, nothing my dear Mr.
Rofe." Warner said. "Your sister is
an excellent business woman-one Of
\ the best have, may tell you. But
d look She's disengaged now. Go ovel
IS to her" And he watched the young
81 man crossing the department.
a Marion, surprised when her brother
IS stood before her, mediately asked
whether he had received Mr.. Warmers
permission.
"Of course I have" was his quicl
reply in rather an excited manner, she
thought. 81 just ran up to tell vol
that l have to go aboard suddenly to
night and to say goodbye. Old San
Statham is sending me out to Servia
D., He only told me at one o'clock tina
r. l must go, and I've been buying some
~ things necessary
1e "To Servia!" exclaimed the girl
a amazed that her brother to whom sht
"a was devoted, was to go so far from
le her.
W Yes. We have some mining in
% terests and some other things out there
10 10 and old Sam suddenly decided to SEM
- me out to make certain inquiries
shall be away month Or two, | dare
say as l have to go see new min
in the course of preparation down o.
the banks of the Danube somewhere.
But do take care of yourself, Char
lie" urged the girl, looking up int
her brothers face. 1--WE heard tina
it's an unsafe country"
Unsafe! Why that's quite fallac!
Servia is as safe as the Strand nows
days. Bland, our chief clerk, was nc
how delightful the people are. Servi
is entirely misjudged by U.S."
Then you'll go tonight?'
Eyes, by the mail from Charm
Cross" he replied. But don't com
- and see me off. l hate people to d
~ -, that. And when you see dear old Ma
81 81 tell him that Pm sorry l had no tin
- ~ to go round before leaving. I've jul
~ telephoned, and his man says he won
o oir be back till seven. That will be tc
~ late for me-"
,,,r very we'll, replied his sister. 'B'
But what?"
"Well Charlie, I'm sorry your
going | feel-well, l feel that W
or are going to place where an accide
we might happen to you. | know nothiI
as about Servia, and besides"
his 'Well?"
"The mystery about old Sam Sta
om' ham always haunts me. don't son
how like that man."
me You only met him once, and he W
ack very courteous to you. Besides,
ana is my master. Were it not for him
). should most probably be going abo