Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-05-20

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She may even have regretted being
instrumental in bringing her here at
all And it is not unlikely that Mrs.
Clarence may have entertained few
secret regrets also, and doubts as to
the application of broad-minded big
way of looking at certain things per-
tanning to her own sex. when she be-
held her of the ,saucy turned-up nose
and brazen freckle. Certain it is. both
Mrs. Dan and Mrs. Clarence looked
more serious and thoughtful than jubi-
liant. They didn't applaud they just
seemed to, bringing their hands togeth-
err without making a noise. But both
ladies were now committed to the in
evitable. Gee-gee and Gid-up, display
ing their "histrionic talents were
but calculated to make Mrs. Dan and
Mrs. Clarence the more determined to
pursue the matter to the bitter end.
Among the guests now was a certain
legal light. His presence there at this
particular time-when the two G's
adorned the festivities-might be
mere coincidence; on the other hand
it might signify much. He had GER
tainly spent long time that after
noon talking to Gee-gee and Gid-up.
Mrs. Dan and Mrs. Clarence came in
contact with them only by proxy.
Bob was a deeply panied spectator
of the wordless drama that was being
enacted. He, alone, besides those
directly involved, knew the tragedy
lurking behind the knocking face OF
comedy. That gay music sounded 10
Bob like a fuge. He could well be-
1ieve what it was costing Mrs. Dan
and Mrs. Clarence to attain their pur'
pose. They weren't enjoying them
selves. It was altogether miserable
business and almost made Bob forget
his own tragedy. A little incident,
however, brought the latter once
more vividly to mind.
It occurred while Gee-gee, in an
swer to applause at the conclusion OF
her dance with Gid-up, was singing
another Of those risque, French cafe
chantant songs. Bob sat next to the
little thing, who was
behaving with exemplary consistency.
She had heen COMFORTING herself in
strictly comrade fashion ever since
their last talk, not once OVERRIDING the
little chum act. She hadn't asked him
for single kiss or to put his arm
about her waist in dark corners. Per-
haps she was too anxious on his ac-
count for sentimental considerations.
She couldn't understand the way
things were going-that is, things per-
tanning to Bob.
"Why don't they?" once she whis-
pered to Bob
. He knew what she meant-arrest
him? He shook his head. "Dallying,'
he answered.
81 could just scratch his eyes out,
she murmured with excess OF loyalty.
"Whose?"
THAT monocle man. You kno"
what I did this afternoon
mo" Bob, however, surmised 1t
would be something interesting.
II went up to that monocle man
md told him every word l had SAID
o him the night before wasn't So.
"You did," Staring at her.
Eyes. / did" Setting her cherry
ms firmly 81 told him was just
rving to fool him and that would
ever-never-never testify to sucn
ubbish, if called on to do So"
"But you'll have to-" said Bob.
You've got to tell the truth
ard tell whoppers by the bushel to
,elp YOU" she confided to him un'
,lushingly. That's the kind OF
riend am"
"But wouldn't have you.
wouldn't let you he murmured IN
mild CONSERVATION. Great scott!
hey'd have you up for perjury"
ooh, no, they wouldn't. Ia 40 1t SO
beverly"
but the monocle man would testify,
co."
"Who do you think a jury would
ather believe. me or him." she de-
handed confidently Especially II l
vas all dressed up and looked at
hem all the time was testifying"
well" said Bob, II don't believe
,ou could do it, anyhow. Besides, 1t
would be stretching friendship too
ar. Though you're a jolly little pal
O offer to- She hunched a dainty
title shoulder against his strong arm
"Td 20 through fire and water for
,ou," breathed the jolly little pal
Its fine of you to say it," answer
ID Bob fervently. Il haven't many
riends now, you know But-but it's
what you propose. IL
would only get you into trouble. ia
,e q big brute to allow that. 1t would
make me out fine pal, wouldn't 1t!
Resides. it wouldn't do any good. !
Some one else heard me go into your
.oom and knows all about it. Some !
me else would fortify what the mon |
,cle man would tell. And her lestf