Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-09-23

not SO dUllCleO MS SLllleS were 81
many and so spontaneous that they
made Elsie Morton decidedly neon.
Portable. She had already become
sickeningly tired of the simpering
smirks with which her escort empha
sized his chances at her, and In return
for them she could now muster only a
family indulgent smile that had in it
a suggestion Of the boredom she felt
Except for friendly nod upon first
seating themselves Amy and Fred
seemed oblivious of .Elsie's presence
Amy ordered only the Highest lunch,
insisting that she must be away In
half an hour at the latest. When she
had almost finished her light luncheon
she glanced about and saw Jack Boyd
and Philip Ware sauntering toward
thine doorway, which brought them
near her table. She flashed them a
smile of greeting and babe Fred call
them over as she wanted to ask them
something about the coming dinner
dance at the country club next even.
ing. Nobdy refused to obey Amy's
commands, so Fred obediently beck.
oned to the two young men and they,
as obediently. came over beside her
table where they stood listening to
her chatter and putting in word
when she gave them chance.
Although her luncheon was finished
Amy made no move to leave }A,r seat
until she saw Elsie and Simpson leave
their table. Then she contrived to
have the party of six acquaintance
! and make the descent together. Her
70 wi let M
Fred into the general conversation,
but an unexpected occurrence did far
more than all her manuevering to
clear up the clouded atmosphere sur
rounding the estranged pair. When
they reached the main floor they
found that a summer shower was COM
ing down in driving sheets. A man
and woman rushed from taxicab at
the curb into the lobby where the
group Of six stood, reluctant to VEN
ture until the shower passed The
women, who was young and pretty
and well dressed, gave pleasant ex-
clamation when she saw Fred Hart
man. @.s
why. Mr.. Hartman. what an unex-
pected pleasure!" Fred advanced with
cordial response to her enthusiastic
greeting, and the lady added: ''Tm SO
glad to have an opportunity to pre-
sent my husband to you, for we owe
you lot for your kindness to me that
day. Mr.. Smith. Mr. Hartman. she
concluded, and the two men shook
hands. Smith was big man. with a
frank look about him which helped to
, make up for his rather snowy taste
in dress.
Mr.. Hartman he said warmly,
Mrs Smith has told me all about
that narrowing hour and half in a
stuck elevator and Of your lightning
trip to the station afterward. Believe
we, we appreciate your courtesy to a
client in distress. She could never
have got the deeds Strengthened out
and made that train without your
help, but she's still worrying because
you missed luncheon engagement
with lady who had deserted the
tryst before you could get to tele-
phone.
well that misfortune was the fault
of the stupid elevator man, and could
not have been even remotely blamed
upon Mrs Smith, who was as unwill-
ing prisoner as l. 1t is too bad that
unpleasant experiences are your lot on
, another visit to the city" Fred mo-
toned toward the door, against which
the rain was still pouring.
ooh, we don't mind the rain," said
Mrs. Smith, as they entered the ele-
vatOr.
Come, Fred Hartman. an d'fess up
+, to this romantic affair your friends
have mentioned" commanded Amy, as
| the elevator disappeared It's good
thing l wasn't the girl who had the
(! luncheon engagement with you. I'd
have scorned you ever after"
ooh. come now" pleaded Fred. ITO
have lost the pleasure of your com.
pany and to have felt that I had
caused you annoyance would have
been punishment enough for me with.
out your scorn. Isn't that fair state.
ment Of the case. Elsie?"
"As far as it goes, yes admitted
Elsie, but you must consider that Amy
would not have known the real facts
Of the case until you told her, and
imagine what her feelings would have
been if-well-say If she had seen
you rushing that handsome woman in.
to taxi just as she herself came out
from lonely luncheon"
There, now said Amy saucily.
) It's enough to make me weep, even
though it's only make-believe case,
/ but I'm dying to know who the poor
girl really was and how she took it,
! Perhaps she was too piqued at first
to listen to an explanation" said Ell.
! sic promptly, tod ward off Amy's fur.
Their conjecture "but I'm sure that
when she did know all about 1t she
was sorry she had acted so childishly.'
You are quite sure, Elsie?" asked
Fred, as If they were alone And, in.
deed, they were practically alone. for
Amy and Jack had exchanged knowing
glances and had drawn the other two
men over to the doorway to see wheth.
er the rain was slackening.
I Quite sure. Fred said Elsie, very
softly, %and bless those dear Smiths
for making me both sorry and sure"
| Amen whispered Fred, as they
went in answer to Amy's delighted
! call to come and see the W0nf]ro,1s