Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-08-18

saying | was Algernon's stepmother.
i Then the longer I kept silent, the
! harder it was to explain and the more
fun it was to pretend that | was Mrs.
! Todd. Nine out Of every ten people
| in this world, Joe, are snobs and that's
| true even in the country where peo-
pie seem to think the eagle is still
screaming from every bush and that
! thick as hlackberries in berry time.
let's, all rot. The almighty dollar is
as almighty UP here as it is In New
York. I liked the Difference every enc
showed me when they thought owned
this place on the big HILL 1t was de.
,lightfully amusing, and kept still for
the fun Of it. felt that I could ex-
plain to Mrs. Todd and that as long as
1.-THE house was put in order and things
done as she wanted, she wouldn't mind
lat all"
|; Probably" admitted Algernon
obviously but weren't you afraid Of
being found out before you could ex-
plain?'
No. You see. there is no one who
could find me out. The Todds are
away. and I was given practically carte
blanche in ordering everything and do.
ing anything that was needed. shan't
have to give an accounting until Mrs.
Todd comes in October-and then
shan't be here"
Il see. But these bills, those-er-
dresses and things you wear? They
are mighty becoming and all that, but
shouldn't imagine they would be con-
sidered exactly necessary to the house
or grounds. you know
might as we'll be hanged for a
sheep as a lamb" laughed Molly. my
simple dresses were marvels of beauty
to the country people, my wardrobe
elaborate. but when Mr.. Hancock mis-.
took nv hest dress for a morning one,
| saw that if wanted my few months
of fun, ! should have to become-a
sheep. And I did. 1t was easy enough.
The tradespeople in New York are
willing to charge anything to the
Todds, and knew Mrs. Todd wouldn't
get the bills until my time was UP and
| had either explained to her and Of
fered to pay for them or disappeared.
Easy?' she leaned back and smiled at
Algernon with a little yawn. st Is
too easy"
But what do you think to gain by
it?" persisted Algernon. ut seems
useless to me- I should think you
would rather have the position and
recommendations as Mrs. Todd's
housckeeper than just the fun Of fool
ing Hancock for a few weeks. I don't
think Mrs. Todd will like your buying
SO many-er-thfngs"
Gain by it," repeated the girl slow
ly. AT first was going to have only
two or three months of fun, sort OF
childish make-believe, dressing up in
another's identity. playing the great
lady and having the servile reverence
of the common herd. The fun in that
would have been reward enough"
cat first? What now?'
Nov? Maybe everything, maybe
nothing. We shall see."
Algernon laughed, baffled. Those
turquoises," he questioned; did you
charge them, too?"
Everything she answered with
nod of her black head. Il am In this
too far to back out now and I am 60
ing to dress the part even If it breaks
the Todds."
Algernon looked into her bright de-
termined eyes and felt his soul. which
had never been determined about any
thing in his life but to have good
time, thrill at her strength Of will.
"By George!" said he. "You have
pluck Put it there"
It was we'll that three thousand
miles or more were between Mrs.
Todd and her son at the precise mo-
ment.
Molly laid her hand in his frankly.
"You will help?" she asked.
I'm your man." declared Algernon
cheerfully. But you want TO be more
careful Reilly, it is foolish to give
the village chance to gossip. There
is nothing the people would like bet
ter in town like this than a good
racy bit of gossip
The girl frowned for a moment and
stared at her hands clasped before her
on the table. Finally she looked up.
Il will be careful that is more care
full" she promised. But my time is
growing short got a letter the other
day, the first day you came, Joe, from
Mrs. Todd. She expects to be here
the last Of September, hardly month
away"
That's bad agreed Algcrnon,
thinking with q dull pain that he would
have Molly for only four short weeks
Il think I shall" Then hestopped
He had been about to say that he
would write to his mother that 1t would
be wiser for her to remain where she
was until the raw days of early O.
tober had settled into the golden
warmth of Indian summer, but de-
cided that it would hardly do to ex-
plain his intentions. Molly was watch
I'M, him in amusement, wholly I'M
aware of what he was going to say.
What will you do?" she asked with
a laugh.
Have a good time while l can"
sighed Algernon. .,
"a lot can happen in month" ad
mittcd Molly hopefully
Yes, agreed Algernon. and added
glcomiiy, I'VE could all be serving
time-in month"
Yes said the girl scornfully. land
We can all be buried
COR married " added Algernon more