Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-04-15

pliment (?) Bob had bestowed upon
her at the Waldorf sufficient to ex-
cuse him for while from further un-
due efforts at flattery. At any rate,
she didn't seem to take 1t amiss that
Bob didn't say a lot more of equally
! nice things in that Chesterfeldian
manner and with such>a perfect French
accent.
But he got in bad" that afternoon
with divers and sundry other guests of
Mrs Ralston. Mrs. Augustus 0. Van.
derpool and Miss Gerald weren't the
only ones who threw cold glances his
way. for the faux pas he made-that
he had to make--were something
dreadful. For example when some one
asked him what he thought of Miss
Schermerhorn's voice, he had to say
huskily what was In his mind:
1T Is rather too strident, isn't it,"
No sugar coating the truth! If he had
said anything else he would have been
compromising with veracity; he would
not have spoken the thought born In
his brain at the question. OF course,
some one repeated what he said to
Miss Schermerhorn, who came from
one Of the Oldest families, was tall and
angular, and cherished fond illusions,
or decisions, that she was an amateur
nightingale. The some one who re-
peated, had to repeat, because Miss
Schermerhorn was her dearest friend
and confidante Then Miss Schemer-
horn came right up to Bob and asked
him IL he had said it and he was oblig-
ed to answer that he had. What she
said, or thought, need not be repeated.
Sha left poor Bob feeling about as big
as caterpillar.
"How very tactful Of Mr.. Bennett
was all Miss Gerald said, when Miss
Dolly related to her the little incident
That's just what adore in HIM"
gushed the temperamental little thing.
He doesn't seem to be afraid Of say.
ing anything to anybody. He's so de-
Ifghtfuiiy frank"
Frank, certainly" answered Miss
Gerald icily.
Anyhow, he's regular tango-king"
murmured Miss Dolly dreamily.
I'm 80 glad you approve of him,
dear." said Miss Gerald with an enig.
matte smile Perhaps she implied the
temperamental little thing found her.
self in class, all by herself, in this
regard.
The latter flew over to Bob. If he
was so frank" and ingenious about
Miss Schemerhorn, perhaps he would
be equally so with other persons. Miss
Dolly asked him il he didn't think the
bishops sermons "just too dear?" Bob
did not why not?" she persisted. Bob
had just been reading The Outside of
the Pot. why not?" repeated Miss
Dolly.
"Antediluvian! groaned Bob, then
turned a fiery red The bishop, stand
ing on the other side of the doorway,
had overheard. Maybe Miss Dolly had
known he stood there for she now gig
gled and fed. Bob wanted to sink
through the floor, but he couldn't.
so, sir, you think my sermons ante
diluvian?" said the bishop, with a
twinkle Of the eye. He never got mad,
ne was the best old man that way that
ever happened.
Yes, SIR" replied Bob. by rote.
Thank YOU said the bishop, and
rubbed his nose. Then he eyed Bob
curiously. Maybe you're right" he
said That made Bob feel awful, but
he couldn't retract. The truth as he
saw It'll He felt as If he were chain
ed to the wheel of fate-the truth as
he saw it, though the heavens fell!
"Of course, that's only my poor in
significant opinion" he murmured mis-
erably.
Every mans opinion is entitled to
respect" said the bishop.
"Yes, SIR" replied Bob, more miser-
ably still.
The bishop continued to study him.
you interest me, Mr.. Bennett"
do II" said Bob. "Tm rather inter
estjng to myself just now
'You evidently agree with the author
of The Outside of the Pot?"
That's 1T" Weakly.
well, cheer up" said the bishop and
walked away.
(To be continued.)