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

II am encouraged to hope remark
ed Lord Harrowby, that Mr.. Jephson
will listen to my proposition
mo doubt he will replied Mr.
Thacker Il can't say definitely. Now,
If knew the nature"
But when Mr.. Jephson walked into
the Office fifteen minutes later Mr..
Thacker was still lamentably Ignorant
of the nature of his titled visitors
business. Mr.. Jephson was a small,
wiry man, crowned by vast acreage
of bald head, and with the immobile
countenance sometimes lovingly
known as a poker face" One felt
he could watch the rain pour in tor
rents on the dowager duchess, Court.
|ney Giles waist expand visibly before
his eyes, the statue Of Nelson, totter
and fall on his shopkeeper, and never
move a muscle Of that face.
II am delighted to meet your lord
ship" said he to Harrowby. Knew
your father, the earl, very we'll at one
time. Had business dealings with him
often. A man after my own heart.
Always ready to take risk. l trust
you left him well?'
Quite, thank you," Lord narrowly
answered. Although he will insist
on playing polo. AT his age-eighty-
two-it is a dangerous sport
Mr. Jephson smiled.
Still taking chances" he said. "A
splendid old gentleman. I understand
that you, Lord Harrowby, have prop
osition to make to me as an under
writer in Lloyds"
They sat down. Alas, If Mr. Burke,
who compiled the well known Peerage,
could have seen Lord narrowly then,
what distress would have been his!
For most unlordly flush again man
tied that British cheek A nobleman
was supremely ratified
81 will try and explain" said his
lordship, gulping plebian gulp. MY
affairs have been for some time in a
rather chaotic state. Idleness-the
life of the town-you gentlemen will
understand. Naturally, it has been
suggested to me that exchange my
name and title for the millions Of
some American heiress. l have always
violently objected to any such plan.
II couldn't quite bring myself to do
any such low trick as that. And then
"a few months ago on the continent
met a girl"
He paused.
"I'm not a clever chap-really," he
went on. Pm afraid l can not des-
cribe her to you. Spirited-charm-
ing" He looked toward the young.
est of the trio. you, at least under.
stand" he finished.
n
and smiled most engaging smile.
Perfectly he said.
Thank you" went on Lord Harrow
by in all seriousness. 1T was only IN.
cidental-Quite irrevelant-that this
young woman happened to be very
wealthy. I fell desperately in love.
am still in pleasing state.
The young lady's name, gentleman, Is
Cynthia Meyrick. She is the daughter
of Spencer Meyrick, whose fortune
has, believe, been accumulated IN
OIL
Mr.. Thackers eyebrows rose re-
spectfully.
"a week from next Tuesday" said
Lord narrowly solemnly, at San
Marco, on the east coast of Florida,
this young woman and l are to be
married"
and what" asked Owen Jephson,
lis your proposition"
Lord narrowly shifted nervously in
his chair.
II say we are to be married." he
continued. But are we? That is the
nightmare that haunts me. A slip.
INTERPRETATIONS coming down on
me. And far more important, the
dreadful agony Of losing the dearest
woman in the world"
What could happen?' Mr.. Jephsou
wanted to know.
did say the young woman was
vivacious? inquired Lord narrowly.
she is. A thousand girls in one.
Some untoward happening, and she
might change her mind-in a flash.
Silence within the room; outside the
roar of New York and the clatter OF
the inevitable riveting machine max
ing It's points relentlessly.
THAT" said Lord Harrowby slowly,
lis what wish you to insure me
against, Mr.. Jephson.'
you mean"
ri mean the awful possibility =
Miss Cynthia Meyrick's changing her
mind"
Again silence, save for the rivetins
machine outside. And three men
looked unbelievingly at one another.
"Of course" his lordship went on
hastily, ut is understood that per-
sonally am very eager for this we'd
ding to take place. 1t is understood
that in the interval before the cere-
mony shall do all in my power to
keep Miss Meyrick to her present IN