Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-30
4 EVENING STORY.
JANE CARRIERS CONTRACT.
BY Helen Ross.
Copyright 1912, by Associated Liter
airy Press.)

Il ~ t5Ns.A1 airy TIeSS.l
Jane Carter rushed up the steps
leading to the tiny apartment which
she shared with two artist FIR. Nnds as
impecunious as herself, and burst into
the living room. Her flushed face and
sparkling eyes We're pleasant to see.
ooh, girls" she said, I'm SO sor-
ry to be late when it's my night to
cook"
Yes, you cruel creature. I'm
starved joked Miss Mason. But
what is the excitement you're trying
to keep from bubbling over?"
I The other occupant of the room,
Miss Day, anticipating pleasant news,
closed her desk.
''I'm too high in the clouds to fry
potatoes, but hungry enough to eat
them" cried Jane, $50 come out with
me and I'll treat to real dinner"
''My, but you're rash! You'll not
be able to buy new shoes this week" "
warned Miss Day.
BE merciful and tell the news!'
implored Miss Mason.
Jane swept aside number OF pack
ages and perched on the cleared
space of the table.
81 can't believe my good fortune"
shs began trifle unnsteadily Just
as was ging out for lunch a
stranger, all logged up in stunning
motoring costume, asked II could
direct him to Miss Jane Carter, the
Inferior decorator. hated him to see
that shabby hole of studio, but
there was no way out of 1t. He was
|awfully nice and didn't look around
q bit, and said l was recommended
highly as having excellent ideas and
good taste. Isn't that lovely? He is
the big banker, Daniel Lord. and
wants his country home decorated.
He took me there in his motor this
afternoon and the house is magnifi-
cent"
"You deserve it, dear" exclaimed
Miss Day II can't tell you how glad
l am that luck is finally coming your
way"
Really. girls, it will take months
to do it as he wishes it done. and
while we were out there he suggest.
ed one innovation after the other, and
is retaining me great deal longer
than necessary to oversee details
Before left, he made me sign con.
tract-as if would balk half way!'
"It's as we'll to have all that set.
tied" commented the business-like
Miss Mason.
as he young. old or Indifferent
chimed in Miss Day. "Married?"
"About thirty-eight and unmarried!
Now I'll die If don't get sometime
to eat If you love me- GOMEZ
groaned Jane. jumping off the table
They left the apartment and start
ed towards an Italian cafe. all talk
ing at once. The sudden change in
James fortunes delighted the older
girls. Jane was to start water-color
drawings of the rooms the following
day for Mr.. Lords inspection.
When the drawings were delivered
Mr.. Lord returned them personally
| and declared himself delighted. in
sisting upon paying liberal retain
ing fee.
II hated to take that money" con
fided Jane. blushing a rosy red at the
recollection of her discussion with
Mr.. Lord. "Mr. Lord declares that
lit was only good business to accept
, It,"
when your time is taken for that
length OF time. you should be com
pensated," declared Miss Day.
"All the same. 1t seems so ma
terial,' sighed Jane.
! "You little Ounce" scolded Miss
Mason: call the big decorators do it
What have you to live on while this
contract is on deck. It requires YOU
4 OF MI
must be dropped"
| AS the decorating of the huge house
progressed, Mr.. Lord found it of sucf
absorbing Importance that he fire
unently called in the evenings to dis
cuss details. His great motor tool
| Jane to any country house OF hi
friends which possessed unusual feat
ures, and the great banker always
found time to go along and satisfy
his thirst for decorative knowledge
These spins through the gorgeously
colored October country were fairy
land to Jane. AS they were fire
quently late returning to town, the!
dined at queer inns or picturesque
farmhouses. James frequent latenes:
seemed to pass, unnoticed by hel
| friends, anu DIS her UldlCIdIS dudu'
Improved, certain Injuries, hitherto
unknown. appeared in the apartment
! isn't she the darling?" remarked
Miss Day. "Just think of her trudg
| ing all the way to the market fol
ipersimmons because she knew liket
them Most girls would be too mucl
taken up with their own affairs tt
think of others. She's wonderful!
unselish."
Indeed she isl agreed Miss Ma
son. "Do you know have an ides
/! that she is very fond Of Mr.. Lord II
ia delightfully."- friendly way, SO lett
Ebe careful not to spoil her innocen
pleasure in his kindness and con
sideration for her. She is such ;
sensitive little goose, and If she go
the idea that his interest is more fol
her than her work it would be :
shock"
HE can't help admiring her work,
answered the loyal Miss Day. Meth
err can he help admiring such al