Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-10-02

No IOv0 20U SIVuUOO W 0S4 osASA' OOA0V'
how she did not protest--although she
continued to look down on the keys.
Her fingers stopped.
Tommy gulped: and his nrst words,
40 he settled on the stool at her side
were far from his original Intention
and further still from strict business.
"Betay- Barbara-why did you play
around with that poor devil Of an
Estrilla?"
Ell wanted to be impairment. I'd
ask how that concerns you." replied
Betsy. Ba rbara, saucily. ''Well--be-
cause liked him. suppose"
"You didn't like him too wellY' IN
Quired Tommy.
"Of course not-now, I'm just sorry
for him." she replied, Then, a.
though duty drove. she picked up an
eraser and began furiously to eradi-
cate figure 20" which she had printed
for quotation mark.
n DO you remember Tommy pur.
sued, "the last time I got drunk--the
last time ever will!"
1.-THE shoe-buckle night! Yes" She
resumed typewriting with furious
energy and utterly incommensurate
results. But even the noise Of the
typewriter could not silence Tommy
now. And when she came to the end
OF the line. she stopped again.
you never knew why, OF counsel
said Tommy. do you remember some
one coming into the front hall and go
ing right out again? That was I. You
were sitting-I saw. you looking at him
II Thought"
You didn't think right" responded
tsy-Barbara. She paused while the
truth in her struggled against woman's
instinct to use strategy in that branch
of human activity which is woman's
chief business. The truth won.
That's funny. You saw me when
was nearer-well, liking-him--than
/ ever was before or after. He was a
dear. You couldn't help being amused
and flattered by him-but nothing
else"
why didn't you like him really
what held you back
Betsy Barbara pulled over the car.
riage for another line not with a
jerk this time, but slowly and softly.
At the same languid pace, she re-
sumed striking the keys.
do you call this business?" she
|asked-but very weakly.
Tommy North laid q hand upon
hers, sitting the keys under her
fingers.
''Betsy-Barbara, this Is business. I
was talking partnership didn't
mean that kind. You know-oh,
blazes--I meant-why did brace up
and 60 to work, anyhow? 1t was
that's QUIT"
Betsy-Barbara, her hand still help
less between the keys and his greater
hand, raised her face. II she had
shone before with elm light, she
shone now with the light Of many
angels. The sheen and glitter of her
hair, the fire Of her eyes, the sparkle
OF her little teeth behind her parted
lips all the glory which makes stars
and systems and beasts and the gem
erations of men-illuminated and
transformed Betsy Barbara. An In.
slant 80, and that light faded. The
elin light shone again. And @ !
Tommy North. she said, ARE you
proposing to me right in business
hours! Get back to your seat! Your
answer will be transmitted to you In
business form"
There was hope and yet wonderment
In Tommy's face a. he Obeyed. Bet
|sy-Barbara tweaked the sheets from
the roller, inserted new page, and
began to type very fast--for her. She
finished. She was sufYused with color
as she drew out the page and laid 1t
on Tommy's desk. He turned to read:
and Betsy. Barbara's hand brushed his
cheek ever 80 lightly.
mr. Thomas WNorth;
dear sir;
Your pro pisitiin is accepted and
trust tina t the ensuig partnership
will be long adm prosperous
yurs sincerely
ElizabethI.ane.
Business forms must be maintained
even in this solemn and awful mo-
|ment," said Betsy Barbara
"Well, there's one thing about being
a high cop that's worth while" re-
marked Martin MCGEE, you GER
tainly do get swell attention in a
lobster palace"
Inspector MCGEE, in his dinner coat
and his diamonds, sat in the prefer
red corner farthest from the music.
Rosalie, reigning opposite in two
thousand dollars worth OF diamonds,
eight hundred dollars worth Of clothes,
three hundred dollars worth Of mas
sage, and hundred dollars worth Of
hair dressing and hat, followed with
smiling eyes to wave Of agitation
which ran from waiter to waiter until
It broke at the door. in spray OF
Italian-S French gestures, against
the head waiter and majordomo. The
lady with Inspector MCGEE. the lady
whom he brought regularly an
excited waiter-captain explained to his
chief-had complained Of tainted
clam. It was frightful. terrific. the
head waiter replied. Some one must
suffer. Inspector MCGEE might never
come again. Some morning after
hours the bar would be raided. Mache!
Academic!
When McGee had condescended to
accept apologies, he resumed to Ro.
sale:
II don't even have to pay for my
New Years Eve table reservations.
That's what II Is being cop"
Rosalie dropped her pink right hand
= IL " Lott and $o1l RI