Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-09-22
self up off the floor, brush the dust
from his knees and offer his protec-

ton.
And that was how Chevalier Darcy
came to be an honored guest In the
house OF Flynt. Miss Florence
looked at him doubtfully, but the aunt
accepted him at once. Why not?
He had the most engaging manners;
he was gentleman with q title; he
had saved their lives; he was q
stranger who was making a tour OF
America to study society and other
things. And he admitted in the
franEest and most charming manner
that 1t was possible an American
bride might return to France with
him.
Mrs. Flynt was thoughtful wo-
man. She thought that collision might
have Jared the chevalier's wallet out
Iof his pocket and lost 1t. At his very
first call she offered to become his
banker. She put it in. a way to spare
his proud feelings, and he pocketed
the check and said he did not look
for such fine considerations In crude
America. They had already looked
askance at him at the hotel, but that
check saved the day.
For a fortnight Mrs. Flynt had
thoughts and dreams connected with
herself and titles and castles. She
was chevalieress She was the
boss Of hundred servants. She was
on, friendly terms With people OF blue
blood Then she became conscience
stricken. There was that poor girl
Florence. She had promised to do
the square thing by her, and would
1t be doing it to beat her out OF title
and castles Wasn't the chevalicr
already showing by his actions that
he was falling in love with the girl?
No. Old Josh Flynt had always been
called a square marl-even II ne did
divide with the alderman-and MS
widow would uphold his reputation.
Later on, If a lord or count came
her way, we'll
The au1t sought Miss Florence and
resigned the chevalier to her and
asked no gratitude in return.
Then came the long-delayed con-
fession. Florence was engaged to
young man in Po,lghkeepsie. she
didn't exactly know about his family
or finances, but he had curly hair and
black eyes and very white teeth ana
Ia tenor voice. She loved him, and she
would marry him, and she didn't care
two red cents for an old chevalier. As
for castles, they must pc Iuli 81
ghosts and cobwebs. and she per-
ferred two-story brick house. with
a stone dog and a fountain IN the
front yard.
Mrs. Flynt became very angry. She
scolded and criticised and put her foot
down. Then she shed tears and ap-
pealed. Here was the chance OF a
girls lifetime. It would never occur
again. Wealth, title, station and cas-
tiles for just saying yes. Had the
girls senses deserted her? Let her
take week to think 1t over, and then
beware how she broke her loving
aunt's heart.
The chevalier would wait o week
before committing suicide Tor love OF
Miss Florence. He wouldn't do It Ior
any. other person than the aunt. he
would do 1t for her because she mad
loaned him money until ne couid near
from Paris, and because ne was
obliged to ask another favor Oh Tue
same sort. Paris wasn't SO Tar away
but those Paris bankers always LOOK
their time about business matters.
Another check was handed over, and
again the hotel bouncer was saved g
job.
The week was only half up when q
young man with curly hair and placK
eyes and white teeth. called at the
Flynt mansion. MRS. flynt happened
to receive him, and she noticed that
his card bore the name OF Waiter
Alvord. He was just "a common
American, and when he asked for MISS
FLORENCE Mrs. Flynt retired from Inc
parlor. She wasn't expecting the
chevalier at that hour. and that was
the reason why he was shown directly
into the parlor, and beheld the young
man holding willing hand belonging
He assumed pose He meant y
.h ~ IS tha tragedy that was turn
10 sornersaults In his soul. No ap-
nreciat;on from the audience OF two,
Then n n no thnndered out.
aM;lle. tonerres,,, in a. voice to
:, aka. ono sh,yer. No shivers. The
cheva,iar was about to wave his arms