Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-06-15

able desire for tobacco. After that l
walked, read, made dull conversation
with casual MISUNDERSTANDING
to kill the interminable time, and quiet
for the moment that weary spirit OF
unrest which kept urging me to use
less thought and Improbable action,
to examine my trouble as one irrtates
a trivial wound, to decide or do some
thing where nothing was to be decided
or to be DONE An inhabitant Of the
nearest comfortless piazza chair con-
tributed the only episode worth re-
Say" he began, do you remember
that guinea that was here the other
day and started the argument with
the old gent out in front? Well, what
did you make Of that Teller, anyway"
IT don't know. He was drunk,
suppose, and got the wrong man."
well, now, you take 1t from me,
there was more to it than that. Yes.
sir, there's shady story around there
somewhere. You hear what | say.
as the man still around here?"
asked.
well, not now. he amt. That's
what I'm telling you. He hung about
town for two or three days. guess.
Maybe no got after the old man some
more. He was in here after q drink
once, and the barkeep threw him out.
He's good mixer, Harry Is, men or
drinks; but he don't like gulneas.
Well, don't go much on them for
eigners. myself"
where. does your shady story come
in?"
"Wel, low that's just it. You listen.
l was along the street the other night.
and passed this guinea standing I'M
der a street lamp, talking to that Reid
fellcr that lives up to Taoors.' Doc
Reid. you know whom mean: Well.
was going past and l heard Reid
say: Now, you understand what you
got to- do he says. keep quiet and
keep away. The minute you show up
here again or give any trouble he
says, the money stops. You under
stand tnat?' he says. And you can
call me liar II you like, but swear
| saw him slip the guinea 4 roll. Now,
what do you know about that?"
put him off as we'll MS could.
Here was another point in the laby-
rinth, but I had no energy to think
about It, got away from the gossip
at last only by taking refuge In my
ROOM. And the rest of the evening
was dreary nightmare of unreality
which only expanded without chang
ing when I tried to sleep. l tossed
about endlessly, thinking thoughts
that we're not thoughts, dreaming evil
(lreoms even while watched the swol
len shadows about the room and list
ened to the unmeaning voices and foot
steps in the Railways. It seemed so
much part of this when some one
pounded on my door and told me that
1 was wanted on the telephone, that 1t
was q troublesome task to make me
undelsta
pulled on sweater and ran down
stairs, wondering who could have call
ed me UP at one in the morning.
was not left long in doubt.
Hello! This Mr.. Crosby? Hello!
Hello there! Mr.. Crosby? Hello!"
"Yes!" l said savagely, what Is it,"
what? All right-hold the line sec
ond.'' Then Lady's voice: "Mr.
Crosby? Listen: l have to go to
New York in the machine now, right
away. Can you come with me?"
"Can +? Why, of course; but why
doesn't-why don't you take some one
else?"
mo one else can go. If you're not
willing"
"Of course I'm willing" said, III
can be of any use."
II knew you would. The car Will
be there for you in five minutes, or
wait. there's no need of waking up
the whole inn. Walk up to the first
street corner this way, and the car
will meet you there"
Five minutes later was standing
on the corner, shivering with inter-
rupted sleep, while four flaming yellow
eyes swung toward me down the hill.
1t was the same big limousine had
noticed the night before. I climbed
In beside the chauffeur With a clash
and grinding lurch the car swung
around and painted up the hill again,
toward the Tabors'. There was power
and to spare, but noticed that one
cylinder was missing now and again.
your ignition isn't very steady"
said to the chauffeur. What Is it
valves?'
He turned and looked at me with
supercilious respect. Poor petrol.
sir. l fancy she'll run well enough,
sir"
Lady came running out, yelled and
muffled Come inside" she said, as
sprang down to help her in, I'D rath-
err have you with me-" The door
slammed, and we were off with jerk
that threw US back against the deep
leather cushions. For few moments
we flashed under lamps and sided
around corners to an accompaniment
of growing brakes and squeaking
springs; then we ran out upon the
smooth macadam of the highway, and
settled into our speed with a steady
purr. Lady sat UP in her corner and
patted at her veil.
! cit was very good of you to come.