Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-04-08

fourth street. "May find some one
there" suggested Clarence.
In Peek-a-Boo Alley?" scornfully
from Dickie.
ooh, | heard there was a concert,
or something upstairs" said Clarence.
I'm that youve-got-to-be-introduced
room! And some of the real people
have to walk through to get to it."
Accordingly they entered the Wal
dorf and the commodore hustled them
UP and down and around, without,
however, their encountering single
real person. There were only peo-
pie present--loads of them, not from
somewhere but from everywhere.
They did the circuit several times,
still without catching sight Of a real
person.
"Whew! This is lonesome place!"
breathed the commodore at last
Lets DEPART" digustedly from
Clarence. Apologize for steering you
into these barren wastes!"
What's your hurry said Bob.
with little more bravado. Then sud
denly he forgot about those other
three. His entranced gaze became To-
cused on one He saw only her.
"Ha!" The commodore's quick
glance, following Bob's, caught sight,
too. of that wonderful face in the dis
tance-the stunning, glowing young
figure superb vision in lovely
afternoon gown! She was followed
by one or two others. One could only
imagine her leading There would,
Of course, always be several at her
either side and quite number dang
ling behind. Her lips were like the
red rosebuds that swung negligently
from her hand as she flOated through
the crowd. Her eyes suggested veil
ed dreams amid the confusion and
huhbub of topsyturvy world. She
was like something rhythmical preci-
plated amid chaos. A PARKWAY i'm
preston of smile played around the
corners of her proud lips.
The commodore precipitated him
self In her direction. Bob put out a
hand as if to grasp him by the coat
tails, but the other was already be-
yond reach and Bob's hand fell to his
side. He stood passive. That was
his part. Only he wasn't passive in
wardly. His heart was beating wild
~. He could imagine himself with
her and them-those others in her
train-and the conversation that
would ensue, for he had no doubt Of
the commodore's intentions. Dan was
Ian adept at rounding up people Bob
could see himself at q table. partici.
pating in the conyersation-prepared
conversation, some or It! He could
imagine the commodore leading little
rivulets Of talk into certain channels
for his benefit. Dan would see to it
that they would ask him (Bob) ques-
lions. embarrassing ones. That lad
vice" dad had given him weighed on
Bob like a nightmare. Suppose
glastly thought!-truth compelled him
ever to speak of that? And to her!
A SILVER ran down Bob's backbone
Nearer she drew-nearer-whtle Bob
gazed as if fascinated, full Of rap.
furious, paradoxical dread. Now the
commodore was almost upon her
when
All. what was that? An open ele-
vator people going in?-She, too
those with her-Yes click! a closed
door! The radiant vision had van
|ished, was going upward; Bob breath
ed again. Think of being even para
logically glad at witnessing her dis
appear! Bob ceased now to think;
stood as in q trance.
"Why do people go to concerts?.
said the commodore in aggrleved
tones. "Some queen, that!'
'And got the rocks-or stocks! !.
from Dickie. Gowns about three OF
those railroads that are going a-beg-
ging nowadays"
Wake up, Bobbie!" some one now
addressed that abstracted Individual.
Bob shook himself.
"Old friend of yours, Miss Gwendo-
line Gerald, | believer said the COM
modore significantly.
"Yes; I've known Miss Gerald for
some time" said Bob coldly.
/" known for some time" m1mick-
ed the commodore. "Phlegmatic dog!
Well what shall we do now?"
Hang around until the concerts
over?' suggested Dickie.
Hang around nothing said the
commodore. Its one OF those clas-
steal high inks." Disgustedly. Lasts
SO late the sufferers haven't time Tor
anything after it's over. Just enough
energy left to stagger to their cars
and fall over in catamose cond1-
ton !,
Suppose we could go to the bar"
Naughty! Naughty" A sprightly
voice interrupted.
The commodore wheeled. "Mrs.
Ralston!" he exclaimed gladly.
It was the gorgeous lady OF the gor-
geous car.
"Just finished my shopping and
thought I'd have look in here" she
said vivaciously.
Concert, l suppose?' from the
commodore brilliantly.
eyes. Dubussy. Don't you adore
Dubussy?' with schoolgirl enthusi.
asm. Though almost sixty. she mad
the manners of "just-come-out."
Nothing like it, lied the commo-
dore.
"Ah, then you, too, are a modern? ?"
gushed the lady.