Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-08-06

By REX BEACH,

Copyright, 1909, By Harper s Brother.

trousers leg daintily with his stick.
you can issue the stock In my
NAME"
\ Boyd seized the little fellow and
whirled him around the room, laughing
gleefully, lifted in one moment from
the pit of despair to the height Of OPP
timism.
"Stop it! I'm all rumpled!" gasped
Clyde finally, sinking into chair.
when l get rumpled in the morning
/ stay rumpled all day. Don't you
touch me"
Whose money is this? What good
angel took pity on us?"
Clyde's faded eyes dropped. well, ]
turned trick, and to all intents and
purposes it is mine. There it is. /
didn't steal it, and-you don't have to
know everything, do you? That is why
got the check cashed."
ct beg your pardon Boyd apollo
gized; II didn't mean to pry into your
affairs, and it's none of my business,
anyhow. I'm glad enough to get the
money no matter where it came from.
I'd forgive you if you had stolen it"
He began to dress hurriedly. "You are
the fairy prince Of this enterprise, AL
y
flowers or play the mandolin or do any
thing you wish. Now for telegram to
the bank at Seattle. We leave to-
morrow
ooh. here now! can't get my ward
robe ready"
"Ward-nothing! You don't need
any clothes! You can get all that stuff
in Seattle"
Must have wardrobe" firmly main
tanned Clyde. "No can do without"
George and will be in Seattle for
several weeks, so you can come on
later
mo, sir! I'm going to trail my bet
with yours. might change my mind If
hung around here alone. I'll make my
tailor work all night tonight lit will
do him good. But 1t upsets me to be
hurried: it upsets me worse than be-
ing rumpled in the morning"
That was busy day for Boyd Emer-
son, but he was too elated to notice
fatigue, even while dressing for the
Waylands.' He had arranged to come
an hour before dinner, that Mildred
and he might have a little time to
themselves, and his haste to acquaint
her with the news of his success
brought him to the Lake Shore house
ahead of time. She did not keep him
waiting, however, and when she APP
peared. gowned for dinner, he fairly
swept her OFF her feet with his abrupt
ness.
Its a go, my Lady; ! have sue
ceeded."
81 knew by your smile. am SO
glad!"
eyes. have al1 the money I need,
and am off for the Coast tomorrow"
"Oh!" She drew back from him.
Tomorrow! Why, you wretch! You
seem actually glad Of it,"
81 am"
Confusion! Of all the discourteous
lovers" She stimulated such an ex-
preston Of injury that his dancing
eyes became grave my poor heart!'
Are you sorry?"
Sorry! Indeed! La, la!" She gave a
dainty French shrug OF her bare
shoulders and tossed her head. II sum-
mon my pride My spirit is aroused.
rejoice; laugh; sing! Sorry? Pooh!"
Then she melted with an impulsive-
ness rare in her, saying, Tell me all
about it, please; tell me everything"
He held her slender hand. "This
morning was bluer than a tattooed
man, but tonight am in the clouds,
for l have overcome the greatest OBJ
stacle that stands between US. 1t is
only a question Of months now until
can come to your father with suffi-
cient means to satisfy him. Of course,
there are chances of failure, but /
don't admit them I have such super
abundance of courage now that can't
imagine defeat"
do you know" she said, hesitating-
ly, "you have never told me anything
about this plan Of yours? You have
never taken me into your confidence
in the slightest degree"
II didn't think you would care to
know the details, dear. This Is so en-
tirely business matter. 1t is SO sordid-
ly commonplace, and you are so very
far removed from sordid things, that
l didn't think you would care to hear
of it. My mind won't associate you
with commercialism. have always
burned incense to you; I have always
seen you in shaded light and through
the smoke Of altar fires, so to speak"
II realize that don't appreciate the
innings ludI you nave uOuS, Sdiu Ito'
girl, but should like to know more
about this new adventure"
81 warn. you it is not romantic" he
smiled, although to me anything
which brings me closer to you is in
vested with the very essence of ro-
nance" He told her briefly of his en-
terprise and the difficulties he had con-
quered. st looks like plain sailing
now he concluded. 81 will have to
work hard but that just suits me, for
it will occupy the time while / am
away from you. There will be no mail
or communication with the outside
world after we sail, except at long in
tervals. But / am sure you will feel
the messages / shall send you every
hour"
'And SO you are going to put fish
into little tin cans?" said Mildred.
very prosy, isn't it,"
"Of course, you will have men to do
it. You won't do that sort OF thing
yourself?"
"Assuredly not. There will be some
hundreds of Chinese"