Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1909-05-18

Think? Why, she'll be here this
morning, or | know nothing about
women. That ring was worth cool
thousand" O'Mally shook the nico-
tine from his pipe She'll be here,
never you worry. But with comic
grimace, tits dollars to doughnuts
that both of 'em will be stone-broke.
! know something about that innocent
little game called roulette"
But II she's broke, what the devil
shall we do?" Smith put This ques.
ton In no calm frame of mind.
Forty dollars; it's heap just now"
She said she had another. plan,'
said Worth
II It's plan which needs no in
vestments, all we'll and good. But on
my word, wouldn't dare advance an
other cent" Smiths brow wore many
wrinkles.
Nor l." said O'Mally.
Positively, no." added Worth.
O'Mally mused. "A bill from your
tailor will reach you here In eight
days, but money! Looks as if they
had sent it via Japan"
The one thing I'm sore about is the
way she buncoed us into giving up our
return tickets to the chorus
Shame on you'll" cried the generous
O'Mally. What chance had any of
them on this side? Ten to one, no.
body home could have sent them
money. We men can get along some
how. But I wish could get some
good plug cut. This English shoe
string tobacco burns like hot lead"
"O'Mally, what's your opinion?"
"On what?''
La Signorina," said Worth.
What about her?''
What do you think of herr" She's
not one of US; she belongs to an
other class, and the stage is only an
incident"
We'll, 1 don't know what to think
I've pumped Killigrew, but she seems
to be in the dark with the rest Of us.
That ring and the careless way she Of
fered 1t as security convinces me that
she doesn't belong. But what voice!
1t lifts you out of your very boots.''
Even when she talks said Smith.
Honestly, I'm glad she always wears
that veil / might make a jackass of
myself"
1T would be excusable," rejoined
Worth, pressing the coal In his pipe
and blowing the strong biting smoke
above his head. "She is, without ex.
ception, one Of the most beautiful
women ever saw or care to see." He
rose and walked over to the window
and gazed down upon the quay, bright
with morning sunshine and colorful
with two human currents.
Smith and OMally exchanged
swift, comprehensive look There was
one thing upon which they agreed
fully, but they had not yet put It
into words When Worth returned to
his chair his two companions were in
specting the faded designs in the car.
pet.
I'm Rome there was grand duke"
Worth remarked
"And how she played him!" laughed
Smith.
"And there you are! Imagine an
American comic opera star refusing
to dine with real duke! II anything
convinces me, it Is that. Think Of the
advertisement 1t would have been in
New York! Think of the fat part for
the press agent! No. continued
O'Mally, "she doesn't telong.''
THE thing that sticks in my mind is
the alternative which she has pronis.
ed to offer Worth eyed the ceiling.
She said that If she failed at Monte
Carlo she had another plan. What?
Pawning her Jewels? think not. But
whatever 1t Is, expect to be counted
in
81, too," agreed Smith.
O'Mally took the small brilliant from
his necktie and contemplated it sadly.
"The outsiders make fun of us for tot
ing round these sparklers; but often
It's board and car.fare home. paid
seventy-five for this; / might be able
to raise thirty on 1t. OF course, she's
backed us finely with the hotel man;
but II she shouldn't return. it's strap,
ped the three Of us will be. And no
letters at Cooks this morning
"Oh, if worst comes to worst, the
American consul will forward us to
New York. I'm not going to borrow any
trouble And Worth III his turn found
employment In the carpet patterns
Presently he got UP briskiy I'm
going down to the Office"
Bureau" corrected O'Mally.
Bureau. There might be note or
SOmeIHluS. Wul III S1llleQ.
When he was out of the way o'Mally
nodded wisely to his friend Smith.
u hope he won't make a fool of
himself over her"
"He has the symptoms. I've seen
'em before" replied Smith jocularly.
But he's an odd duffer, and there's no
knowing what he'll do before the
roundup It's a fine go, anyhow
Here we are, handsomely stranded
thousands of miles from home. The
only chance have of finding money in
letter is to sign for next season and
draw down enough to pay for steam
er ticket. AS for bank account,
Lord! never had one I have made
two offers for my versatile talents,
but no line yet"
"O'Mally laughed Same boat. I've
written to my brother, who has always
held that I'm good-for- -nothingi And
he may see in this predicament OF
mine 3 good chance to be rid Of me
permanently. But believe Worth has
bank account at home He is close
mouthed about his affairs. He receiv
ed some letters yesterday, but when