Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-04-11
Tho .Bobhs- Merrill Company,


must say Quimby amt been none to
newsy on the subject. I threatene
to come UP and join in the proceed
ings myself, especially when | hear
about the book-writing cook Providence
had sent you.'
"You would have found us on tn
porch with outstretched arms MI
Magee assured her
It vas on Kendrick that Mrs. Quinn
by showered her attentions, and whe1
the group rose to seek the station
amid consultation of watches tina
recalled the commuter who rises a
dawn to play tag with f1ippant train
Mr., Magee heard her say to the rail
road man in q heartfelt aside:
~ don't know as can ever THANH
you enough, Mr.. Kendrick, for putting
now hope into Quimby. You'll neve'
understand what 1t means, wheI
you've given up, and your life seems
all done and wasted, to hear tina
there's q chance left"
won't II" replied Kendrick warm
II. Mrs. Quimby, 1t will make me
very happy man to give your husband
his chance"
Tho first streaks Of dawn were II
tho sky when the hernits Of Baldpate
filed through. the gate mot the road
waving good-by to Quimby and his
wife, who stood in their dooryard fol
the farewell. Down through sleepy
little Asquewan Falls they paraded
meeting here and there a tired man
with a lunch basket in his hand, who
stepped to one side and frankly stared
while the odd procession passed.
In the station Mr.. Magee encount'
cred an old friend-he of the mop OF
ginger-colored hair. The man who had
complained of the slowness OF the
village gazed with wide eyes at Magee
Il figured" he said, that you'd
come this way again. Well, must
say you've put little life into this
place. II I'd known when saw you
here the other night all the exciting
things you had up your sleeve. Ia
a-gone right ND to Baldpate with you.
"But l hadn't anything up my
sleeve" protested Magee.
Maybe replied the agent, wink
ing. There's some pretty giddy
stories going round about the carry
ings-on up at Ba1dpate. Shots fired.
and strange lights flashing gone
It, the only thing that's happened here
in years. and wasn't in on 1T. GER
tainly wish you'd put me wise to IT."
"By the way" inquired Magee, ibid
you notice the passengers from here
on the ten-thirty train last night?"
"Ten-thirty," repeated the agent.
"Say, what sort Of hours do you think
keep? A man has to get some sleep,
even II he does work for a railroad. |
wasn't here at ten-thirty last night.
Young Cal Hunt was on duty then.
He's home and in bed now"
No help there. Into the night the
girl and the two hundred thousand had
ned together, and Mr.. Magee could
only wait, and wonder, as to the mean
ing Of that flight.
Two dropping figures entered the
station-the mayor and his faithful
lieutenant, Max. The dignity OF the
former had faded like flower, and
the same withered smile might have
been applied with equal force to the
accustomed jauntiness Of Lou
Good morning" said Mr.. Magee in
greeting. Taking an early train, too,
eh? Have q pleasant night?"
Young man." replied Cargan, IF
you've ever put up at hotel in a
town the size Of this, called the Com
mercial House, you know that last
question has just one answer-man-
slaughter. I heard minister say once
that all drummers are bound for hell.
If they are, it'll be a pleasant change
for EN-"
Mr.. Max delyed beneath his over
coat, and brought forth the materials
for a cigarette, which he rolled be-
tween yellow fingers.
IF l was a drummer" he said dole
fully, zone breakfast-was that what
tney called it, Jim?-one breakfast
like we just passed through would
drive me into the awful habit of read
ing one of these here books Of Drum
mers' Yarns"
Sorry" smiled Magee. eve had
by's. Really, you should have stayed.
BY the way, where is Bland?"
Got shaky in the knees" said Car
gan. Afraid of the reformers. Amt
had much experience in these things.
or he'd know he might just as we'll
tremble at the approach Of blue-bot-
tie fly. We put him on train going
the other direction from Reuton early
this morning. He thinks he'd better
seek his fortune elsewhere" He
leaned in heavy confidence toward Ma
gee. "Say, young fellow" he whis-
pered, 'put me wise. That little
sleight of hand game you worked last
night had me dizzy Where's the coin?
Where's the girl? What's the game?
Take the Doodle and welcome-it amt
mine-but put me next to what's do
ing, so I'll know how my instalment
of this serial story ought to read
"Mr Cargan," replied Magee, you
know as much about that girl as do.
She asked me to get her the money,
and l did"
But what's your place in the
game?"
"A looker-on in Athens" returned
Magee. Translated, guy who had
bumped into cyclone and was sitting