Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-04-02

That's right, dearie," said Mrs.

|
Norton. "You got to contribute"
YES" agreed the girl with the
clocks crisped like golden WIRE" 81
will. But it's hard. Ones ideas change
so rapidly A moment ago If you had
said romance to me, might have bab'
bled of shady corners, Of whisperings
On the stair. of walks down the noun
tain in the moonlight-or even on the
lhotel balcony" She smiled gaily at
! Magee. Perhaps tomorrow, too, the
word might mean such rapturous
things to me. But tonight-life is too
real and earnest tonight. Service
! Professor Bolton was right-service is
often romance. 1t may mean the dis
covery Of serum-it may mean so
cruel thing as the blightning of an
others life romance She gazed
steadily at the stolid Cargan at may
mean putting an end forever to those
| picturesque parades past the win
dow Of the little room on Main Street
the room where the boys can always
find the mayor of Reuton."
Still she gazed steadily into Car
CANS eyes. And with an amused smile
the mayor gazed back.
you wouldn't be so cruel as that"
he assured her easily; "a nice attrac-
tive girl like YOU"
The dinner was at an end; without
word the sly little professor rose
from the table and hurriedly assembled
the stairs. Mr.. Magee watched him
disappear, and resolved to follow
quickly on his heels. But first he
paused to give his own version Of the
word under discussion.
STRANGE" he remarked. that none
of you gets the picture do. Romance
| it Is here-at your feet in Baldpate
Inn. A man climbs the mountain to
be alone with his thoughts, to forget
| the melodrama Of life, to get away
! from the swift action Of the world, and
mediate He IS alone-for very near
an hour. Then a telephone bell tink-
les, and youth rises out of the dark
to prate of a lost Arabella. and haber'
dashery. A shot rings out. as the I'M
memorial custom with shots, and IN
comes professor of Comparative
Literature, with perforation in his
derby hat A professional hermit ar
rives to teach the amateur the fine
points of the game. A charming maid
comes in-too late for breakfast-but
in plenty of time for walks in the
balcony in the moonlight. The mayor
of municipality condescends to stay
for dinner. A battle in the snow en-
sues. There is a weird talk ola sum
of money. More guests arrive Dark
hints of a seventh key. Why bless
you you needn't stir from Baldpate
Inn in search of your romance"
He crossed the floor hastily, and put
one foot on the lower step of Baldpate
grand stairway He kept it there. For
from the shadows of the landing Prof
essor Bolton emerged. his blasted
derby once more on his head, his over
coat buttoned tight, his ear-muffs IN
place, his travelling bag and green
umbrella in tow.
what. Professor" cried Magee.
you're leaving?"
Now. truly, the end of the drama
had come Mr.. Magee felt his heart
beat wildly. What was the end to
be? What did this calm departure
mean Surely the little man descend
ing the stair was not. Daniellike.
thrusting himself into his lions den
with the precious package in his pos
session?
EYES," the old man was saying slow
ly. "I am about to leave. The decf-
sion came suddenly. I am sorry to
20. Certainly l have enjoyed these
chance meetings"
See here. Doc" said Mr.. Bland, I'M
easily feeling of his purple tie. you're
not going back and let them reporters
have another fling at you?" .
T CT ioI no al NIX
"My duty calls. Yes. they will hound
me. shall hear much OF peroxide
blondes. shall be asked again to
name the ten greatest in history,--a
dif1cult, not to say dangerous task.
But must face the-er-music. as the
vulgar expression goes bid you
good by, Mr.. Bland. We part friends,
am sure Again be comforted by the
thought that / do not hold the ruined
derby against you. Even though, as
have remarked with unpleasant truth,
the honorarium of a professor at our
university is not large"
He turned to Magee.
81 regret more than I can say he
continued, parting from you. My
eyes fell upon you first on entering
this place-we have had exciting times
together. My dear Miss Norton
knowing you has refreshed an old
mans heart might compare you to
another with yellow locks-but l
leave that to my younger-er-col-
leagues. Mr.. good-by. My ac-
quaintance with you shall always look
back on"
But the mayor of Reuton. Max and
Bland closed in on the old man.
''Now look here, Doc" interrupted
Cargan you're bluffing. Do you get
me? You're trying to put something
over. I don't want to be rough-l
like you--but I got to get a glimpse
at the inside Of that satchel. And l
got to examine your personal makeup
a Bit
Dear, dear" smiled Professor Boil
ton "vou don't think I would steal? A
man in my position? Absurd. Look