Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-05-04
Euening Story
THE ETERNAL Feminine.
BY izoIa Forester.
Copyright, 1918, by the Mcclure
Newspaper Syndicate.)

Newspaper Syndlcate.)
Hello, hello! Yes, this is Milt.
OH Millions tone breathed interest
and surprise-"It's you, girlie?"
Beth turned around and stared with
wide open eyes, listening.
Indeed, l will-right away. Not q
bit Of it. I'm awfully glad to help out.
Goodby."
He hung up the receiver and wheel
ed about, looking not at Beth but at
the clock.
Its Mrs. Hewitt Her husbands in
Baltimore and wired her to meet him.
and the maids gone and there's no
body to help her down with her suit
case. She wants me to run up to din
ner and take her to the station after
ward. You don't mind of course, Beth?'
who is Mrs. HEWITT" she asked
frigidly.
why, she's girl knew out in Den
yer, you know"
II don't know. How old is she and
what does she look nke?" e
Now Beth" Milton looked bit Dor
ed as if he hated to go into the subject
it was so trivial-"I think we agreed
that real love is above jealousy. This
is only common courtesy. I've known
Grille Cooper-she used to be Coop
er-since I was boy at school. She's
about twentyfour, l guess-around
there .....
At eighteen, twenty-four looks world
ly wise and experienced. Beth pursed
her lips.
It'll be back by nine," added Milton.
81 don't see why on earth she singled
you out if you haven't seen her in
years" .# ),
"Oh, I've seen her, DEAR know
her husband we'll. He's splendid fel.
low, handsomest man you ever saw.
Girlie's SO much in love with him it's
almost funny"
Beth looked at him with growing sus.
picion. .....
do you think you'll need cushion
as tame cat?" she inquired whitening
ly. You needn't come back here, Milt.
She could call taxi and go down by
herself OF course, you can do just as
you please, but you needn't come back
here if you go carting suitcases around
for old sweethearts."
II! "She wasn't a sweetheart" Milton
retorted wrathfully. Now do we have
to scrap over this act Of common cour.
tesy, Beth?"
She eyed him dispassionately.
I'm not in the least bit angry, but l
won't have you play the part Of car.
pet knight. What right has she to call
YOU up and ask you to carry her suit
cases for her if yon never were engag-
ed? Does she know we're engaged?"
II guess So Why, Beth"
"Would you like me, after we're
married to call up some old sweetheart
and ask him to escort me to the train
at moments notice.?
YOU'RE absurd"
81 am not. If you go, you needn't
come back. Why did she call you up
here?"
! 81 told them at the hotel to refer any
one here" Milton watched the clock.
is she blonde?''
mo, no. Brunette, brown eyes,
brown hair. Beth, please be reason
able" ~
"You know, Milt, you don't deceive
me one bit" She leaned her adorable
chin on her palm and looked up at
him I've heard of Grille Cooper.
Mrs Daniels told me you were engaged
to her and perfectly wild over her five
wears ago think it's terrible for the
man YOU love to have memories OF 9th.
er girls"
Il never was engaged to her. Beth
She rose suddenly and left him
standing there expostulating.
She really did need lesson, Milton
told himself severely. Utter lack OF
faith in him was too much to bear I'M
checked. He would take Grille to the
train. and show her every courtesy. 1t
was only common decency. Beth's
very opposition had invested the situa-
ton with the zest of adventure. Grille
had never really cared for him any
more than she had for twenty others.
She had always been favorite and
was a mighty nice, sweet girl. of
course she'd never have Beth's snap
and charm Of strength Of character ii
| abe lived to be thousand years old.
| but she was good pal.
All this he told himself going up to
Girlie's, all the way through dinner, all
| the way downtown. Grille talked In.
cessantly Of Hobart, her husband, OF
his congressional ambitions, his tastes,
his achievements, showed all his news