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

Bates appeared In the doorway
ruminatingly chewing straw, his hat
on the back of his head. He watched
Algernon, busy with the cars, a mo
ment in silence and then spoke.
Kind of dirty work, amt it," he
remarked pleasantly.
Work" said Algernon in tone
that would have pleased his mother
could she have heard 1t. work that Is
honest, can never soil the worker"
With which noble sentiment he
turned again to oiling the runabout
hoping to discourage the grcom's cvi
dent desire for conversation.
Bates stepped into the cool shelter
of the garage and seated himself on
the stairs that led to the rooms above
"If was asked my opinion" said
he. socially argumentative, II would
say that you was really dirty-let
alone soiled."
"You failed to grasp the full signi
ficance of my remark said Alger
non coldly. "Your intellect sees only
the externals."
"My intellect don't see nothing
said Bates scornfully. my Dyes see
that you're dog-goned dirty, though "
Soul blindness prevents enc from
seeing the realities Of life far more
than physical blindness remarked
Algernon sentcntiously, wiping his
heated forehead on the sleeve of his
shirt
Guess you've been to high school.
said the groom with gracious approval.
v,oovho vO,, hod
81 have been,' admitted Algernon
modestly.
I'm New York;"
Not exactly in New Workout a
way in the country-a boarding
school,"
Bates locked his pity. surprise and
forgiveness all at the same time. 81
won't say anything about it," said he
kindly.
about what?" asked Algernon.
"The reform school," said Bates.
1--WE call them that up this way"
81 see,' said Algernon. Thanks,
old chap
Bates leaned back with his elbow
on the stair above him and pushed his
hat still farther on the back of his
head. He felt new and pleasing
equality, in fact almost superiority
to the chauffeur. Algerncn might
have lived in New York and might
know more about motor-cars than the
groom imagined it possible for any
one man to know. yet had he fallen
Bates had been rigidly brought up
and with him there was no compromis
ing with evil.
"Guess it's pretty wicked down in
New York" said he, breaking long
silence. so, maybe Mrs. Todd amt
so much to blame the way she Is carry
ing on"
Algernon said nothing. There was
nothing to say. Bates chewed thought
fully for time and then went on.
Hancock had better look out OF
that new chaps going to cut him out
sure
"How's that?" Algernon sat down
on the step of the runabout, and like
Bates. pushed his hat to the back OF
his head.
why. what's he staying here fol
but cause she's so pretty?' demanded
Bates with relish for an embroy 70
nance, filled with pride in local pro
duct, for Mrs Todd was such, In
way He was up to the house all the
afternoon, and stayed to supper, !
think. cause I saw hem coming
through the wood-path about hall
after eight in the evening
Algernon frowned. See here
said he sternly, "Patterson's cal
broke down."
Bates winked. II know that, but
there amt no law against making hay
while you wait is there?''
The telephone bell prevented Alger
non from replying. He put the re
ceiver to his ear and Molly's sweet
voice in a measure restored his
equsnimity.
lis that you, Joe? want the cal
at once. please. I know said earl,
this morning when we-er-befort
breakfast. that l didn't think woult
20 cut this morning, but I've changed
my mind Come into the library wher
you bring the car around, have some
instructions about the cars want tt
give you
Eyes, ma'am,' said Algernon for tn
benefit Of Central who he knew wa
listening. He hung up the receiver
wornering if anything had happened
that she should want to see him agatl
in the library, and turned to gathe
up his tools, dismissing Bates re
marks with busy wave of the hand.
Molly was waiting for him in tn
library. Her hat and veil were al
ready on, ready for the drive, and sh
was pulling on her gloves, her dell
! cate brows drawn into a frown, on
! slender foot tapping the floor i'm
patiently. The mail had come and A.
gernon noticed with uneasiness tina
there were a number Of bills on tn
table before her.
Molly nodded as he entered, Will
an expression of relief crossed he
face. She took a letter from tn
table and handed 1t to him. "Thi
came in the morning mail. It's fror
my tailor, you see. He wants nj
money. | think that is funny. Tn
Todds surely never get bills TO
months. No one would ever think
distressing them. Stores would b
honored by their patronage. Joe, d
you think there is anything wrong?'
i Algernon frowned obviously. Let