Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-09-03
CHAPTER XII Continued.

COul0 SlUy HeIe ~" IVY 49,
It would be deuced awkward mused
Holmes aloud, as though to himself
rather than to her II signed the
register at the hotel as Patterson and
II would be a nine days wondar row
happened to be Todd instead. Peo-
pla would stare so and there would
be- a lot of disagreeable talk dis
like publicity more than mama does,
and that's saying good deal as you
probably know. Miss O'Tcole. II |
let on to mama what you-ahout the
mvnIjparty. she would insist upon my
staying hcre-that is. If she cot word
before I had a chance to leave-and
If she knew that did not know opout
It. and yet left-Really, I don't know
what to do"
another housekeeper," suggested
the girl. fearfully, not looking at him.
Holmes nodded. II thought about
that but 1t would take SO deuced long
to wait for one to come. See? That's
my point. | am anxious to get on 10
Canada and expect my boiler VIII be
here tomorrow at the least. think
Nav 7 smoke? Thanks think l
shall let things stand as they are.
Mama will be here in fortnight, how.
and really, there is nothing out OF tne
way. I'm sure mama herself Wouldn
object to the lawn party. IL certainly
did honor to the name OF Todd. | ad-
wise you to tell her about it, though:
It's one CT those things which are all
right when mentioned yourself. but
are a crime when allowed to leak out
through other sources. She will I'M
derstand. Believe me. You Wero not
expecting to remain much longer after
her return. were you? Ma, I thought
not. We'll, then, I'm going to let
things stand as they are" He nod
ded and laughed suddenly. II certain
ly don't blame you 1t was anus
ing"
Molly nodded, tried to smile, but her
relief was too much for her and the
tears sprang unbidden to her eyes.
She struggled to force them down,
failed, and put her head on her arms
along the high chairback. Holmes
stared a moment in surprise, then
leaned over and laid his hand kindly
on her shoulder.
There" said he with a mans awk-
ward compassion, there, don: do
that. It's all right"
The girl controlled herself in a mo-
ment, and raised her flushed tear
stained fsce with a little smile. You
are kind" she said. II shall be good
in the future"
"You promise" asked Holmes
solemnly. 1T leave you alone here
and don't say anything to mama that
there will be no more of these-er-so-
cial functions?"
Eyes, I do indeed"
"That II ! let you still use the name
Of Mrs. Todd for the fun Of it. until
mama comes or you deem 1t best to
drop It, you will do nothing in her
name but what ought to be done? You
won't take advantage In any way OF
my kindness?"
ri promise"
Holmes held out his hand and she
placed hers in it. 81 trust you.' said
he gravely. "and know can. for
really, everything is all right except
the-lawn party" He hesitated, saw
the desire to confess about the
dresses. the beads around her slender
throat, the chauffeur. whom Mrs. Todd
did not want, paid for, however. out
Of her own salary. and rushed on lest
she have chance to tell him Of her mis-
demeanors and he be forced to dis.
charge her or arouse her suspicious.
II shall not stay here at the house.
The hotel is the last word In human
discomfort but I expect to be gone
tomorrow evening and I can put Up
with it. I don't want to excite talk
But, II hold my tongue to mama, you
must premise to hold your tongue to
your friends as to who I am. Will
you This Hancock and Worth, or
even your chauffeur, Joe. must not
know me as any one but Mr.. Patterson.
II they know of me as Todd every.
thing will have to be explained and !
dislike explanations. Well both keep
quiet, en-? I'm off tomorrow, anyway
SO 1t won't be so hard. But anyway
promise"
II promise. But, L"
Excuse me for interrupting. but
let's drop the subject. what do you
say? It's late. I'm tired and will be
getting home. If don't get away to-
MORROW, l may De up again. buL IL
will be as friend before people, un
derstand. I'm not boss here. made
q pretty good examination of the
place today and didn't find anything
amiss. Well, good night. | dom
blame you really. Pom my word, this
place would be the end of me in 8
week. believe me. When I'm gone
take my name If you want and still
things up a bit masouerading as 6
man." He laughed and strolled to the
door
At the door he turned. shook hands
again, and chuckled to himself, rar
lightly down the terrace steps and dis
appeared in the gloom of the bushes,
CHAPTER XIII.
When You Are Poor.
The sun shone through the oper
door of the garage. 1t fell across the
floor in brilliant path in which ca
sat industriously washing her snow
white breast, each paw fattened il
turn against her body, The yallel
pup sprawled in the doorway, granting
now and then in vexed search TO-
heas and snapping angrily at the