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

TWO corrected AlSernOn, Liz
first and last are practically the
same"
mot exactly" objected the girl
"The first is peaceful. at least Inc
last not So"
II know" said Algernon, but peace
is sometimes SO monotonous.
"One certainly wouldn't be bothered
with bills. serving time" signed
Molly, turning over those on the table
before her.
There seem to be so many OF
them" said Algernon, picking up q few
and running his eye over them. "They
aren't dunnlng you already"
tNo.' said the girl, as she gathered
the bills up and returned them 10
their envelopes. ~ wrote to send the
bills up here instead of holding them
up until Mrs. Todds return. wanted
to see for Just how much we are get
ting into These are only July's ollis'
They won't wonder why they are not
paid as early as this"
81 should think the dressmakers
might wonder at the different mea-
surements," said Algernon. Mrs.
Todd and you would hardly take the
same size"
81 have not gone to the same dress
makers. have bought nearly all my
dresses from the big department
stores Men never know the difference.
I don't believe Mr.. Hancock knows
half the time what I have on, except
that it is expensive -,
"You never met Algernon, did your!
asked Algernon carelessly.
No said Molly. "but Mrs. TODD
told me lot about him one night
while was at her summer place IN
Connecticut She thinks she Is a
stern parent. but honestly there is no
one in all the world to. her quite so
wonderful as 'Algy' He wins pen
nants and things. believe, in every
thing he undertakes She -attlet. on
about him Just as the cook below stairs
tells me about her son who is study
ing law in the city. All the world Is
the same, Joe, at the bottom, upstairs
and down."
Algerncn dropped his eyes quickly
to hide the sudden shame and con-
triton that blurred them. He would
pay all the bills Molly was making
out of his allowance, and his mother
need never know thing. He raised
his hand to his lips to hide the tender
little smile that twitched at their cor
ners when he thought Of his mothers
sweet, little round fat face, fresh and
soft and kissable.
so you see," went on Molly, Il had
all the bills sent up here. I didn't
want any mistake made and the bills
falling into Mrs. Todd's hands too
soon"
Suppose Todd turns up?" ques-
toned Algernon gaily.
Todd in North Brockton!" Molly
laughed delightfully."- and Algernon
flushed unperceived, as he stopped to
pick up a bill from the floor. MY
dear Joe, Algernon Van Rensselaer,
Todd is not a young mon who seeks
country quiet and peaceful seclusion
unless compelled to do so by stern
parent. No, Algernon won't arrive IN
til few days after his mother at the
earliest" W +..s.
80 you don't think the simple life
would appeal to Todd?" questioned AL
gernon feebly.
8 ''If you knew him you wouldn't ask
that" laughed the girl.
"You didn't know him, did your"
"Once. I saw him, just fleeting
glimpse, and spoke few words with
him. but week, day, would be
enough. Algerynon is Of kind never
seen in the country, If he can get the
first train away.
"He always could get the flrst train,
too," she added, after moment. He
has so much money, and money is
luck"
HE may like the country said Al
gernon vaguely, feeling an instructive
desire to stand up for himself
cts nothing against him that he
doesn't" said Molly. Cows like the
EYES," agreed Algernon, slightly
cheered, that's SO. l don't suppose
he will turn up here, but he may re-
turn to the city or some large place
where his presence will be known and
get into the papers. Then how can
you explain his mothers being up
here when he will probably say that
she is still abroad?"
Il know there Is FISK, tnere IN
bound to be one," admitted Molly.
But the chance is very small. have
run it for the last month or so and
nothing has happened"
Algernon laughed. Lets not
worry" said he. II never do. I
found that 1t didn't pay"
With Molly's consent he lighted his
pipe and leaned back In the deep
chair to enjoy himself. The whole
tickled his Grant fancy with
the very irony of it. The few bills
Molly was running up would not
amount to much and Algernon did not
care enough for money to object to
he spectacle of seeing himself
swindled. It was more amusing than
and was one Of the most
effective cures to his ennui he had
ever known. He had gone pedling be-
cause he was bored, and he had left
James Mortimer Worth for the same
reason. He felt happily, however,
hat while the present arrangement
asted he would be anything but bored.
Besides, why not let the girl, young
and pretty and charming. have at least
, taste Of the wealth that so cloyed
1im at times? This was one of those