Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-10-14

been here for five minutes"
"Alls we'll that ends we'll" quoted
wise Jack. Then he tapped ever 30
gently on the door and the cook open
ed it. She asked no questions, out
from the CLEAN in her. eye 1t was
plain that she understood some mis-
chief was afoot. The three youngsters
went quietly up the back stairs ana
soon were in Myrtle's room. AND
there began the disguise. .r
Sadie had brought a large basket
of things on her arm, and Myrtle hao
a load of all sorts Of garments on
her bed, covered with sheet.
The three were occupied for some
time. And just as the clock was
striking eight, Jack stood of and sur.
veyed the pair Of ladies who mad
evolved from the two fifteen-year-old1
girls. you're just simply great, )" was
his verdict. Nov I'd best scoot, Tor
I want to be there when you make
your grand entrance. Gee! If Aunt
Helen knows either of you, I'll eat
my shoes" So vowing, Jack crept
out by the back stairs to the kitchen,
then to the front door, where he let
himself in with his latch key 'What.
you didn't stay for the evening, SOM?
asked Mr.. Warren looking up from
his paper as Jack entered.
! "Oh, I couldn't stand two chatter
ing girls remarked Jack with
wise look ell 60 after Myrtle. She'll
phone when she wants me. where's
my natural history, mammal" go.
"On the table in the corner" re-
yy1v i1yin In q
of inquiry Jack nodded his head slyly
to her. and she knew everything was
all right Scarcely had Jack got
seated when there came long peal
at the front door bell. Cook came
hurrying from the kitchen to open
the door. who can be calling to-
night" wondered Aunt Helen, laying
down her cards.
miss Helen Warren live here?
The four Warrens in the library heard
the question. 1t was made in a high,
rather quavering voice.
"Yessum," replied cook. "Will you
step inside and I'll call Miss Warren.
What's the name, please?"
"Just say old friends of her old
friends replied the high-pitched
voice. We've come to call on her"
But before cook could carry the
message to Miss Warren that lady
had come into the hall. Sne was curl
GUS to know who could be calling
on her without first having been in
vited to do SO.
ooh, are you Miss Helen Warren"
The little lady-dressed in an old
fashioned gown and shawl, with
closely-veiled, dropping brimmed hat
stepped forward to meet Aunt
Helen.
eyes, I'm Miss Warren" And Aunt
Helen gave cordial hand to the
caller. Then she was introduced in
this fashion to the two strangers:
I'm Miss Leticia Strong" said the
lady who has made the advancement.
"And this" turning to her compan-
ion, ais my best friend. We know
some of your dear friends, and as we
are to be in the city for some time,
we thought we'd drop round and see
you"
After shaking hands with my very
best friend Miss Warren asked the
two ladies into the library where Mrs.
Warren, all smiles, advanced to meet
them. After the introduction-which
called forth the name of the very
best friend" (Which was Miss Pauline
Aikens) Mr.. Warren was in turn in
troduced Then Jack, sitting de-
in a corner, was called forth
by Mrs. Warren. "Allow me to pre-
sent my son, Jackson" she said.
The callers rose and shook hands
with Jack, who squeezed their hands
so firmly that they could scarcely
keep from crying out. Each little
lady gave him a piercing look which
seemed to say: Behave yourself, or
you will get US into trouble
Then the Warrens formed them
selves into friendly group about the
two callers, and conversation became
general. It seemed that Mrs. Warren
talked a good DEAL and one know
ing her very we'll would have mar
veled at this. for usually she talked
just enough to draw out her visitors,
and was an ideal listener. But to-
night she talked and talked. saving
the two visitors a good deal. Miss
Helen WARREN turned most Of her at
tention to Miss Leticia Strong, asking
her about their mutual friends
Miss Strong named several of the
Warren relatives Giving upstate
and gave Miss Warren much news
from them.
"Well, we'll. how funny that l
should never have known you before" "
said Aunt Helen. "And you know all
my people so well. Why, you seem to
know about their affairs better than
I do. It's a real pleasure to have
you pay me visit. hope you'll al
low me to see much of you during
your stay in the city,
And then something very, very
funny happened something which
made everyone ''sit up and take no.
tice," as Jack said afterwards. Miss
Leticia Strong sprang to her feet and
threw two very strong arms about
Aunt Helen, crying out in shrill
voice: See you often Why. my
dearest auntie, / mean to stay right
here with you for the remainder of
the year-mayhap longer!"
Miss Helen Warren was on the
point of staggering away from the
embrace of Miss Strong when some
thing else, very funny also, happened.
Miss Strong took one arm from about
Miss Helen's neck and tore off her