Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-07-01

I've really got to get back Mrs
Bruce is giving tango tea this after
noon-informal, but something has tc
be said These fellows who write q
daily humorous column must lead q
devil of life
With a laugh. Minot followed his
irresponsible friend down the steps
They crossed the bridge over the
empty moat and came through the
city gates again to the street of the
alligator.
by the way" Paddock said as they
went up the hotel steps, you haven't
told me what brought you south?''
Business, Jack" said Minot. "It's
a secret-perhaps can tell you
later
Business? thought, of course, you
came for pleasure"
"There'll be no pleasure in this trip
for me-" said Minot bitterly.
"Oh, won't there?" Paddock laugh
ed wait till you hear Mrs. Bruce
talk. See you later, old man."
At luncheon they brought Mr.. Minot
a telegram from certain seventeenth
floor in New York. An explosive
telegram 1t read:
Nonsense, nobody here to take
your place, see it through, you've CIV
en- your word. '.~
"Thacker."
Gloomily Mr.. Minot considered
What was there to do but see It
through? Even though Thacker
should send another to take his place,
could he stay to WOO the lady he
adored? Hardly. In that event he
would have to go away-never see
her again-never hear her voice
If he stayed as Jephson's representa-
tive he might know the glory of her
nearness for week. might thrill at
her smile-even while he worked to
wed her to Lord narrowly. And per-
haps- Who could say? Hard as he
might work, might he not be thwart-
ed? 1t was possible.
So after lunch he sent Thacker
reassuring message, promising to stay.
And at the end of dull hour in the
lobby, he set out to explore the town.
The Mermaid tea house stood ON
the water front, with a small second
floor balcony that looked out on the
harbor. Passing that way at four
thirty that afternoon, Minot heard a
voice call to him. He glanced up.
"Oh, Mr.. Minot-won't you come
into my parlor?" Cynthia Meyrick
smiled down on him.
Splendid" Minot laughed. II walk
forlorn through this old Spanish town
lattice is thrown wide,
a fair hand beckons. I dash within"
Thanks for dashing," Miss Mey-
rick greeted him, on the balcony. Il
was finding it dreadfully dull. But I'm
afraid the Spanish romance is little
lacking. There is no moonlight, no
lattice, no mantilla, no Spanish
beauty
mo natter Minot answered. 81
never did care for Spanish types
They flash like skyrocket-the
tumble in the dark. Now, the home
grown girls"
And nothing but tea she inter.
:upted. Twill you have cup?"
Thanks. Was it really very dull?"
"Yes This book Is to blame" She
held up a novel.
What's the matter with it,"
"Oh-it's one Of those books in
which the hero and the heroine are
forever gazing into each others
eyes And they understand perfectly.
But the reader doesn't. I've reached
one of those gazing matches now
But isn't 1t so in real life-when
people gaze into each others eyes,
don't they usually understand" !,
DO they?'
unop,+ thoyo Vo,, euroIv have had
more experience than T.
What makes you think SOP she
smiled.
Because your eyes are so very easy
@ gaze into
"Mr. Minot-you're gazing into them
And-neither of us 'un-
lerstand,' do WEI"
ooh, no-we're both completely at
sea-"
There she cried triumphantly. 81
old you these authors were all
wrong"
Minot, having begun to gaze, found
1ifficulty in stopping. She was near,
she was beautiful-and a promise
made in New York was a dim and dis
ant thing. ......... J
1.-The railroad folders try to make
you believe Florida is an annex to
he said. 81 used to think
hey were lying. But"
She blushed.
But what, Mr.. Minot?'
He leaned close, a strange light
n his eyes. He opened his mouth
o speak.
Suddenly he glanced over her