Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-06-22

tention. Should the marriage bt
abandoned because of any act Of mine
I would be ready to forfeit all claim!
to Lloyds.
Mr.. Thacker recovered his breath
and his voice at one and the same
time
"Preposterous. he snorted. Beg
ging your lordship's pardon, you car
not expect hard-headed business mer
to listen seriously to- any such PROPOSE
ton as that. Tushery, sir, tushery
Speaking as the American representa-
tive of Lloyds-"
"One moment" interrupted Mr.
Jephson. In his eyes shone queer
light-a light such as one might ex
pect to find in the eyes of Peter Pan
the boy who never grew up. "One
moment, please. What sum had yor
in mind, Lord Harrowby?"
"Well-say one hundred thousand
pounds suggested his lordship. 81
realize that my proposition is fan.
tastic really admitted as much
Butt
Zone hundred thousand pounds,
Mr.. Jephson repeated it thoughtfully
II should have to charge your lordship
a rather high rate. AS high as ten per
cent.
Lord narrowly seemed to be In the
throes of mental arithmetic.
81 am afraid he said finally, 81
could not afford one hundred thousand
at that rate. But l coud afford-sev
enty-five thousand. Would that be sat
isfactory, Mr.. Jephson?"
"Iephson, cried Mr.. Thacker wild
ly. Are you mad? Do you realize
Il realize everything, Thacker,'
said Jephson calmly II have your
lor.lship's word that the young lady is
at present determined on this alli-
ance? And that you will do all in
your power to keep her to her inten-
tion?"
"You have my word,' said Lord Har-
rowby. IF you should care to tele.
graph"
"You word is sufficient" said Jeh.
son. "Mr. Minot, will you be kind
enough to bring me a policy blank?"
"See here, Jephson," foamed Thack-
er. What If this thing should get
into the newspapers? We'd be the
laughing stock of the business world"
1T mustn't" said Jephson cdolly.
1T might" roared Thacker.
Mr.. Minot arrived with blank pol
icy, and Mr.. Jephson sat down at the
young mans desk.
Zone minute" said Thacker. "The
faith of you two young gentlemen in
each other is touching, but take 1t
the millennium Is still a few years off. .
He drew toward him blank sheet OF
paper, and wrote, II want this thing
done in a businesslike way, If it's to
be done in my Office" He handed the
sheet of paper to Lord Harrowby.
"WiIl you read that, please?' he said.
Certainly" His lordship read: 81
hereby agree that in the interval until
my wedding with Miss Cynthia Mey-
rick next Tuesday week will do all
in my power to put through the match,
and that should the wedding be called
of through any subsequent direct act
of mine, l will forfeit all claims on
Lloyds.''
"Will you sign that, please?' re
quested Mr.. Thacker.
with pleasure His lordship reach
ed for pen.
"You and l. Richard" said Mt
Thacker, twill sign as witnesses Now,
Jephson, go ahead with your fool
policy"
Mr.. Jephson looked up thoughtfully
"Shall say. your lordship," he ask.
ed, that if, two weeks from today the
wedding has not taken place, and has
absolutely no prospect of taking place
1 owe you seventy-five thousand
pounds?'
Eyes" His lordship nodded. PRO
vided, Of course, I have not forfeited
by reason of this agreement. l shall
write you a check, Mr.. Jephson.'
For a time there was no sound In
the room save the scratching of two
pens, while Mr.. Thacker open-mouthed
at Mr.. Minot, and Mr.. Minot light
heartedly smiled back. Then Mr.
Jephson reached for blotter.
81 shall attend to the London end
of this when I reach there five days
hence" he said. Perhaps l can find
another underwater to share the risk
with me-"
The transaction was completed, anc
his lordship rose to go.
81 am at the Plaza" he said, IF any
difficulty should arise. But sail to
night for San Maroon the yacht Of
q friend He crossed over and took
Mr.. Jephson's hand. II can only hope
with all my heart" he finished feeling
ly, chat you never have to pay thi!
policy"
Were with your lordship there
said Mr.. Thacker sharply.
"Ah-you have been very kind" re