Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-06

ing point. She and Lord narrowly
were conversing about famous Eng
she had the attention of the table, she
remarked:
Yes. we met his wife at the Mason.
bys'. But l have always felt that the
wife of celebrity is like the coupon
On ones railway ticket"
"How's that, Mrs. Bruce?" Minot in
quired. After all, Paddock had been
kind to him. .
mot good if detached" said Mrs.
Bruce. ......
She stood. Her guests followed suit.
1t was by this bon mot that she chose
to have her dinner live in the gossip
Of San Marco. Hence with it she clos
ed the ceremony.
witty woman, your wife," said one
Of the colorless New Workers to Mr..
Bruce, when the men were left alone.
Mr.. Bruce only grunted, but Mr..
Paddock answered brightly:
do you really think SOP"
eyes. Don't your"
"Why-er-really-" Mr.. Paddock
blushed. Modest author, he.
A servant appeared to say that Lord
Harrowby was wanted at once out
side, and excusing himself, narrowly
departed. He found his valet, a
plump, round-faced, serious man,
waiting in the shadows on the YER
anda. For time they talked togeth.
er in low tones. When narrowly re-
turned to the dining room, his never
cheerful face was even gloomier than
usual. '
Spencer Meyrick and Bruce, exiles
both Of them. talked joyously Of bust.
ness and the rush Of the days work
for which both longed. The New
York man and sapling from Boston
conversed of chamber music. Martin
Wall sat silent, contemplative. Per
haps had he spoken his thoughts they
would have been of rich jewel shop
at noon-deserted.
A half-hour later Mrs Bruce's din.
ner party was scattered among. the
palms and flowers Of her gorgeous
lawn. Mr.. Minot had fallen again to
the elder girl from Omaha, and blithe.
ly for her he was displaying his Broad.
way ignorance Of horticulture. Sud.
denly out Of the night came scream.
Instantly when he heard it, Mr.. Minot
knew who had uttered 1t.
Unceremoniously he parted from the
Omaha beauty and sped over the lawn.
But quick as he was, Lord narrowly
was quicker. For when Minot came
up, he saw Lord Harfrowby bending
over Miss Meyrick, who sat upon a
wicker bench.
"Cynthia-what is IT," Harrowby
was saying.
Cynthia Meyrick felt wildly for her
shining hair
"Your necklace" she gasped. "Chain
Lightning's Colloar. He took it! He
took it,"
"Who?" ...
II don't know. A mani"
"A mani" Reverent repetition by
feminine voices out Of the excited
group.
"He oleaped out at me thereby that
tree-pinioned my arms-snatched the
necklace. I couldn't see his face. 1t
happened in the shadow"
mo matter" Harrowby replied.
Don't give it another thought, my
child"
"But how can I help"
II shall telephone the police at
once" announced Spencer Meyrick:
Il beg you'll do nothing Of the
sort" expostulated Lord Harrowby
1T would be a great inconvenience
the thing wasn't worth the publicity
that would result. insist that the pc.
lice be kept out Of this"
Argument-loud on Mr.. Meyr1ck' &
part--ensued. Suggestions galore
were offered by the guests. But IN
the end Lord Harrowby had his way
It was agreed not to call in the pol,
lice.
Mr.. Minot, looking up, saw sneer-
ing smile on the face Of Martin Wall.
In a flash he knew the truth.
With Aunt Mary calling loudly for
smelling salts, and the whole party
more or less in confusion. the return
to the house started. Mr. Paddock
walked at Minots side.
Rather looks as though Chain
Lightning's Collar had choked off our
gaiety." he mumbled. SERVES her
right for wearing the thing in her
hair. She spoiled two corking lines
for me by not wearing it where you'd
naturally expect necklace to be
worm
Minot unanswered so as to inter
eept Lord narrowly under the porti-
co.
"May speak with you moment?
he inquired. Harrowby bowed, and
they stepped into the shadows OF the
drive.