Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-12
A COMEDY Ro ~ AkCE
5x EARL DERR BIGGERS
~'*oR SEVEN KEYS TO BAIDPATE
tcHAPTER XXI. (Continued.)
Cers.ro.rrp rnr Ross. Mz..r1 co1rAxI

(CHAPTER XXI. (Cont1nued)
We've had a bit Of excitement
what?" said Allan. III you're ever In
London, you're to be my guest. Old
George has some sort OF a berth for
me over there"
mot q berth, Allan objected
George, pressing the button for the
elevator. You're not going to sleep.
A Job. Might as well begin to talk
the Chicago language now. MIR. Min
OF. I, too. want to thank YOU"
They stepped into the elevator, the
door slammed, the car began to de-
scend. Minot stood gazing through
the iron scroll work until the blond
head OF the helpless Lord narrowly
moved finally out Of sight. Then he
returned to his room and the time
tables, which seemed such dull I'M
happy reading.
Mr.. Jack Paddock appeared to in.
vite Minot to take dinner with MIN.
His bags, he remarked, were all pack
ed and he was booked for the seven
o'clock train.
.I'ye slipped down the mountain OF
gold" he said in the course of the din
ner But all good things must end
and certainly had good tnlng;
Somehow, I'm not 80 gloomy as
ought to be-"
"Where are you going, Jack?' Min
OF asked.
Mr. paddock leaned over confiden-
TALLY.
"Did I say her father was in the
plumbing business?" he inquired my
error, Dick. He owns a newspaper
out in Grand Rapids. Offered me
lob any time wanted it. Great JOKE
then-pretty serious now. For I'm 60
Ing out to apply"
I'm glad of It."
$50 am !. Dick. was 1901 10 iet
her 70 back like that. Been thinking
4 ali overland Overcome girl in
how many are there in the world,
should YOU say? The other day had
: chill. It occurred to me maybe shed
rome and married the young man win
the male purple necktie who passes
the n,ate in the Methodist church. So
heat it to the telegraph counter
And
"she's whole heart and fancy free?
20. X. in both respects. SO us me
for Grand Rapids. And say, DICK -
er-want you to know ia sent tnat
telegram before the accident last
night. AS matter of fact, sent 1t
two days ago." re-
this game down here didn't satisfy
you. May l be the first to wish you
3oy!"
"you? With a face like a defeated
candidate? I say, cheer up! shell
stretch out eager arms in your olrec-
ton yet"
81 don't believe it, Jack" 49,,
"well. while there's life there's still
considerable hope lying loose about
tha landscape. That's why I don't
nree YOU to take the train with me.
An hour later Mr.. Paddock spoke
further cheering words in his friends
ear and departed for the north. And
IN that CITY of moonlight and romance
Minot was left practically alone.
He took a little farewell walk
through that quaint old town, then re-
fred TO his room and read another
chapter in the time table. At four
twenty in the morning, he noted. a
small local train would leave for
Jacksonville. He decided he would
take It With no parlor cars, no sleep
ers he would not be likely to encoun-
ter upon 1t any of the startled wed
ding party bound north.
The coll he left did not materiallze
and It was four o'clock when ne
awoke. Hastily in the chill dawn he
hade farewell to town and hotel. In
fifteen minutes he had left both be-
hind and was speeding toward the
small yellow station set on the towns
edge. He glanced feverishiy at MS
watch. There was need Of haste, for
this train was made up in San Marco,
and had had as yet no chance to be
late.
He rushed through the gate just as
II was being closed and caught
dreary little train in the very act OF
calling ont. Gloomy oil lamps sought