Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-07-09

Dl8Ck pluUlAS0 OuO y0A0W Ao6O dAN
wattles, els Mino bird. It comes
from Java, you know. It talks some
times when it feels like IT.
The bird eyed me wickedly With Ito
head on one side. Welcome" he
croaked once, morosely.
1.-The other two are canaries," said
the old gentleman. at is really sur.
prising and delightful to hear their
varied Accomplishments when the
photograph Is running. Would you
like to hear q tuner"
III you will forgive me-" said. Il
am very anxious to get at the business
In hand. You see, have q very par
ticular reason for finding Mr.. Bond, 80
that fear you would find me poor
listener. Do you really know some
thing about him?"
The old gentleman looked little
disappointed. well, WELL" he said,
"I suppose we'd better get to business
first, but l have some delightful new
records that am sure would interest
you. Still, you are right; we had bet
ter have our talk. Now just what was
It that you wished to see MIR. Bond
about?"
II don't quite know how to answer
YOU" | replied. my business with
Mr.. Bond Is Of a very private and per
sonal nature II you know where he
is. couldn't you simply send me to him
without knowing what wanted?"
The old gentleman rubbed his chin
thoughtfully. "See here" he said. af-
ter a reflective moment, you'd better
start right in at the beginning and
tell me What Is the matter know,
in the first place, that you're not look
ing for Fphriam Bond just for the
pleasure OF seeing him, for to me you
appear perfectly sane. He has done
something to you or you want some
thing from him; one or the other, per-
haps both" and he paused, cycling me
shrewdly to see how we'll his shot had
told
Come come" he said, as still
hesitated, surely you can not be
afraid to conflde in me. give you
my word that will hold everything
you say as sacred, and, unless l am
very much mistaken, can help you In
some small measure know Ephriam
Bond and have known him for some
years but he Is no friend of mine. In
fact, | don't care for him at all. Bet
ter speak up. Has he cheated you or
does he owe you money
Circumstances had never given me
a confidant in life. Since my mothers
death / had always had to thresh out
every problem by myself, and as best
| could, unaided. Now In my ex-
tremity, with Nancy gone, with no
friends, and with, as knew, definite
effort being made against my search
and the search now seemingly blind
one, this chance acquaintance this
mild-mannered, gentle old enthusiast
appealed to a sense other than my
reason, yet wistfully strong enough
to overshadow cautious mistrust.
"Have you ever seen Ephriam
Bonds niece 2" asked
There" said the old gentleman,
there, just excause me for q moment,
will your
He jumped up from his chair and
! disappeared through door near the
end of the room.
Gust as I thought he said, COM
ing back moment later; that Mino
bird is washing In my water pitcher.
I keep 1t covered generally, for he'll
be sure to drown himself 1t would
be much better, suppose, II kept
my water in pail. But, try as will,
I can't keep that bird out of 1t. They
live in swamps, you know. Now what
was it you asked me?"
His expression was so frankly open,
his voice SO kindly and his manner 80
free from any thought of offense, that,
startled and upset as was, l. could
not find it In my heart to do other
than repeat my question.
His niece" said the old gentleman,
''to be sure, he did have. a niece.
What about herr vs,ay ss,
had almost made up my mind to
tell him the whole story, but his In
terruptions and his sudden questions
were 80 disconcerting that now
paused, not knowing exactly where to
commence.
Come, come" said the old gentle
man, speak out, my dear sir speak
out. But perhaps you think I'm not
treating you fairly. OF course ! knew
his niece, knew her quite well at one
time, although have not seen her
for some years. Nancy, her name
was; a very pretty girl to my think
ing"
He had hitched his chair up to the
table, and had recommended the vir-
tuoso drumming that our departure
from the cafe had interrupted.
We'll" said at last, II am very
anxious to find Miss Bond. She is the
only reason want to find her uncle"
''Do you know" said the old gentle
man, that | have utterly forgotten to
ask you your name? ny name Is
Ogilby, Martin Ogilby."
mine is Mason Ellsworth" | said.
"Then may ask" said the old gen.
tleman pompously, "just what interest
you have, Mr.. Ellsworth, in Miss
Nancy Bond ?"
"Mr. Ogilby," answered, may
be doing very foolish thing, but !
am in great distress and you have
been kind to me. am going to tell
you the whole story from beginning to
end"
The old gentleman smiled and
nodded. That" he said, lis very
sensible thing to do"
Nor, after that, did he interrupt me
once in the telling, but sat very still.
with long, blunt fingers pressed to-
gether in churchsteeple fashion on the