Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-11-22

waiting with her application in her
hand, looked about her idly for some
thing to occupy her attention TIL her
two feet away. in black, staring let
ters which formed the words, Fifty
Dollars Reward"
Della did not look like mercenary
young woman, but her eyes fingered
long on the headline, as a hungry
child might look outside a bakers
window viewing all sorts Of CASTRO
Of glass between. Fifty dollars,
Della said to herself. and fgurative-
~ she smacked her lips.
At the best of times, fifty dollars
seemed like a great deal Of money
to Della. Just now her need had
magnified it far beyond its usual pro-
portions. She was on the point OF
her brother Jack, stranded out in q
western state, sick, forlorn and UNI
able to help himself. The three dol
lars and q half represented number
less little sacrifices on Delia's part.
She walked to and from her work to
save carfare. She wore shoes whose
soles were replaced each morning by
Into place by Delia's own fingers.
She had reduced her midday meal to
rolls and glass OF milk, and she
grudged the dime she spent for that
modest fare. Fifty dollars would bring
Jack home. Della turned her eyes to
the poster and read on!
Fifty dollars reward will be paid
for information leading to the APP
prehension of Leonard Bunting, last
seen near the village of Porter Falls.
Pa. He Is five feet eleven In height.
weights about hundred and sixty.
and has noticeably heavy eyebrows.
The tip Of the little finger of the
RICH hand Is missing. When last
seen he wore a closely cropped brown,
mustache. His manner is gentlemanly.
4 Accompanying this description was
a likeness Of Mr.. Leonard Bunting,
which Della studied with a fascinated
curiosity He was rather good,
looking young man for an evildoer.
she decided. as far as it was possible
to Judge from his counterfeit pre-
sentiment, which was somewhat
thought was Immediately lost sight
of in the pleasurable pretense that she
was about to send Jack a money order
for $50, gained by surrendering Leon
ard Bunting to justice. Then Jack
would be home by the first Of the
week. 1t cost her pang when she
came to reality. and slipped the blue
the envelope.
She had waited SO long at the win
dow that she would not have had time
for much in the way of luncheon,
even II her funds had been ample. She
gave her order, Rolls and milk Della
was young and healthy. and paid the
penalty in clamorous appetite. She
sniffed hungrily and felt little faint.
|"If l get that $50 reward" though
Della. with whimsical smile. I'll
save enough Of it out for good sir
loin with plenty Of gravy. Then she
became aware that the young man
next her was holding the menu card
in her direction. Have you seen this?'
he asked courteously.
I've given my order, thanks" Della
began her reply unconcernedly enough.
but jumped before she finished. For
the hand extended toward her was
slightly mutilated. The end of the lit
tie finger was missing.
The young man did not notice her
start. He resumed his study of the
card, and moment later gave his
order. Apparently an uneasy con-
science had not decreased his appe-
tite. @
+ Meanwhile. over her rolls and milk.
Della was stealing chances in his d.
rection. Mo- there could be no mis-
take. Dark, with heavy eyebrows,
and gentlemanly manners, and more
significant than all, the missing tip
Of the little finger. The disappearance
Of the brown mustache changed his
appearance slightly, yet he bore suf-
ficient resemblance to the rough
cut in the postoffice to be easily iden-s
tilted. Delia's heart thumped as she
made her plans.
She must finish her rolls, OF course.
1t would not do to arouse his ss!s-
picions. And then she would slip
out quietly. and lay the case before
was a blue eyed policeman. She would
tell the policeman and the policeman
would do the rest. and presently the
$50 would put in an appearance and
Jack would come home. 1t was extra
ordinarily simple.
The red-haired waitress introduced
a new factor Della had felt strong
interest in the red haired waitress
ever since the morning when her swol-
len eyelids were eloquent OF long
weeping, and Della had asked her if
anything was the matter. The wait
ress had explained that she had
dropped tray that morning. and
the manager had threatened to dis
charge her. "He says I'll have to go
waitress. "And I've got mother to
drowning myself"
Della had tried to encourage her by
suggesting that perhaps there would
not be any next time, and her SYM
pati1y. had won the red haired girls
affections. AS she passed now, with
la bowl of soup. she smiled in Delia's
direction and paid the penalty for the
mon1entary distraction of her atten-
ton The bowl OF soup lurched. It's
contents distributed themselves over
the person of the young man next
Della.
"Hello!"s said the young man. For
a criminal with reward offered for
HIS apprehension. he had his nerves
under excellent control. He turned to
see the face Of the red-haired rirl go
a deadly white. while behind her low
cred the figure of the manager whose
scowl needed no explanation. The
young man emptied his pocket of soup
and addressed the manager. All my
fault" he said. .
"Eh? What's that?'' The managers
face began to clear,
"All my fault the young man re-
peated. with kindly mendacity. stuck
out my elbow just as the girl was
passing. She couldn't help It,"
, ooh, all right" said the manager,