Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-03-07
Tiff you don't tell" Mr., Peck promis-

has got him bluffed," she thought.
'Well, here's where I'm going to play
my head off but he'll never know
So Mr.. Peck and his pretty neighbor
dissected chicken. made cream dress
ing, grated cheese, made batter and
altogether were so busy for the next
half hour that neither had time to
talk.
tiers were frying He knew where to
find things-lace mats and all.
''Well, Mr.. Peck I guess it's time
was going. The whole dinners ready
to serve, keeping nice and hot in the
oven. The salads all fixed and on ice,
the candles are lighted and the flowers
arranged. 1t must be time for your
wife and company and don't want to
be found here. What some people don't
know don't hurt them!" She laughed
amiably.
Mr. Peck laughed too. What jolly
pretty little wife Harry Harmon had!
People said he neglected her out for
ever on lecturing tours and never
home when he was in town.
Mr. Peck turned the knob of the
kitchen door when he had thanked his
neighbor for her heaven sent help. The
door stuck. He turned the knob the
other way. Still it stuck. He ratified
the knob and kicked theTdoor. No use!
He looked anxiOusly at his watch. Six
thirty! 'Tt's time for Title, Mrs. Har-
mon, and the door doesn't seem to
open Will you try the front way.?"
"I'll have to, guess. Wouldn't 1t be
dreadful if I'd meet Mrs. Peck"
You're just right it would" snap
ped a woman's voice from the shadows
of the front hall 'You didn't hear me
come in, Ell, John? Well, here I am!
And the gentleman I've brought with
me will be just as interested as l am,
I guess" Mrs. Peck reached for the
on the lights.
"HarryH gasped Mrs. Harmon. you
didn't tell me you were coming here
tonight I didn't expect to see you"
mo, guess you didn't" said Mrs.
Peck. "This is pretty how do you
do" ''*- "
Mrs. Harmon looked nervously from
one to the other. 1t was the supreme
humiliation of John Peck that brought
the blood to her cheeks and the fire to
her eyes. Then she made the speech
of her life.
Don't you dare to speak to me I'M
til I'm through, Mrs. Peck, nor you
either, Harry Harmon. You are both
so busy with clubs and lectures you
forget you have homes both OF you.
I came in here to borrow lemon Tor
my solitary supper. ought to be &C
customed to them, but I'm not. rms
poor man here was panic stricken for
fear he couldn't cook the meal he'd
been ordered to get. So I offered to
help and I did. burned myself twice
frying your old fritters and l cut my
thumb slicing your old cucumbers and
I've got a raging headache. What's
more, you've no more business being
out with my husband than I have'try-
ing to kill myself for yours. So
there!" She rushed for the door Sob
bling.
Harry caught her in his arms, say
ing remorsefully: wait minute,
Toots See here! I have been sell
fish old cad,. but I promise to reform
this minute. You're little peach
that's what you are. There that's
better, dry your eyes, dear1e.'
Mrs. Peck surveyed her husband
with contrition. John Peck, take of
that apron and don't ever put on an
other as long as you live or go into
that kitchen either. I'll resign from all
my clubs tomorrow. I've been big
goose, that's what I've been! Now go
get your coat and come in to dinner.
Mrs Harmon, have you any appetite
for your own cooking?'