Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-04-22
Eue,,;ng Story
JACK OF ALL TRADES.
BY Belle Mandates.

BY Belle Mandates.
Copyright, 1911, by Associated Liter
airy Press.)
Jim Chalmers was tinkering with
his car while his chauffeur stood
alphabetically looking on
There" said Chalmers, with last
triumphant turn of the wrench "She's
as trim as a trigger now, and you can
just run me down to the Stone build
ing. Langley bet that couldn't do
this job of repairing myself
AS he walked through the lobby of
the building to the elevator he looked
ruefully down at his clothes. His
flannel shirt, and old cap and work
ing gloves were not the makeup that
might be expected for one in his posi-
ton, but it was his favorite working
regalia.
The elevator was down the door
open, but no operator was to be seen
Chalmers stepped within. A few mo-
ments later young woman. tall and
with imperious bearing, entered.
1.-THE tenth floor" she said, In a
musical voice.
Chalmers accepted the situation.
slid the door shut, and in an instant
the car shot up with such speed that
the successive numbers of the floors
looked like sum in addition. The
passenger looked little startled but
did not lose outward compOsure. AS
the elevator stopped at the tenth floor
with a jolt she turned to him.
would you mind waiting for me?
I will be gone only moment, and !
am in great haste"
Certainly" was the courteous re-
ply.
Chalmers watched her meditating.
ly as she walked down the corridor
with easy grace. At the, door Of a
studio of music she knocked and then
opened the door, One minute-two-
Ithree-four. Meantime the elevator
bell was pealing forth regular
chime, but Chalmers complacently
waited. She came out OF the studio
and down the corridor.
IT had no idea," she said depre-
catingly, that you would wait all this
time"
He assured her gravely that it had
been no trouble to wait This time
he realized that an automobile and
an elevator were run on different
plan, and the descent was comfort.
ably gradual. In the lobby an angry
crowd waited The ire increased
when the operator stepped out and
walked down the lobby. The young
woman came hurrying after him.
'Take this, please, and thank you
for waiting so long"
She handed him quarter OF a
dollar
Thank you," he said.
She hurried out Of the building.
The youth who ran the elevator came
breathlessly in In his wake came
Langley, whose entrance recalled to
Chalmers his Grand A few moments
later they were whirling away In
Chalmers car.
Have you met Miss Randall yet,
Jim?" asked Langley in the course
of the conversation "She Is visiting
here from Pittsburg."
mo; and / probably shall not. have
the opportunity to meet her. un-
jderstand she told Mrs Wilmerth that
she did not care to have me pres.
ented.'
do you want to know why"
IT confess to an average amount OF
curiosity"
Mrs. Wilmerth set you forth In
glowing colors. Said you belonged to
the idle rich, who despised working
people or any one who looked to
effort for a livelihood. overheard
the conversation myself l am go
ing to take it upon myself to ex-
plain to Miss Randall"
mo, pray don't" said Chalmers
quickly. II shall doubtless meet her
in the course Of events. and ! think
time and circumstances adjust errors
better than explanations"
Chalmers was the last arrival at
the little dinner given for Miss Ran.
dali that night.
"You know everyone here, Jim?'
asked his hostess as he came into the
library. Miss Randall"
Eyes. / have met Miss Randall" he
replied graveiy, looking full into me
astonished eyes Of the young woman
standing near Then he crossed ina
room to find the young matron ne was
to take into dinner.
Miss Randall sat opposite him at
dinner, and he felt from time to time
her stolen uncomfortable glances IN
his direction.
"Jim," spoke Beverly suddenly
from the end Of the table, have you
had your machine repaired since
your last mishap?"
Eyes; put her in running oraer my
self. | took the entire morning.
ooh, Mr. Chalmers" said the woman
beside him, you must be quite q ne
chanic.
"Yes,' he replied laughing, i be-
lieye am a jack of all trades. Only
this noon did duty as an elevator
operator in the Stone building.
.Tell us about it," pleaded his host
ess.
snTba elevator how was not at his