Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-01-18

a little child, 81 must get out of Paris,
and I've come to you to help me. Ev-
cry way is closed except through you"
so many hundreds like you, poor
! girl. All want to get back ITO the
home country, and we are so helpless
to aid every one" The lady Of the
embassy thought, as she cast a swift
glance over the slender shoulders and
diminut1ve figure beneath them, that
here, indeed, was a babe In the woods.
The blatant. self-assured tourist de-
handing assistance from her coun.
try's representative as a right she
knew; also the shifty, sloe-eyed demi-
VERGE who wanted no questions ask.
ed. But such a n as this little per.
son a..
"You see, I am a buyer for Hide.
brands store in New York" Jane
was rushing breathlessly to the heart
of her tragedy. "This is my very first
trip as buyer and-it will be my last
unless 1 car get through the lines and
back to New York. I have seventy
Of the very last gowns from Poiret,
from Paquin and Worth-you know
what they will mean in the old town
back home-and I must-just simply
must get them through. You under
stand! With them, H%ildebrand can
crow over every other gown shop in
New York. He can be supreme, and
II will be-well, I will be made!"
The kindly eyes were still smiling
and the woman's heart. which is un-
changed even in the breast Of an am
bassador's wife, was 1eaping t" the
magic lure Of that simple word
gowns. e',,' ~" r. 5Ef.F'' "'H" nav
"But-but the banks refuse to give
me a cent on my letter Of credit. The
express Office says my checks, which
II brought along for incidentals, can
not be cashed. The steamship COM
panies will not sell a berth in the
steerage, even, out of Havre or Ant
! werp or, OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
gobbled up. You can't get trunks on
an a%eroplane, or I'd try that. l just
don't know where to turn, and so I've
come to you. You must know some
way out" g.. . - 4-v,o W. 81 q
Jane unconsciously clasped her
hands in duplication, and upon her
face, flushed now with the warmth of
her pleading, vas the dawning OF
hope. 1t was as If the girl were as
! sured that once the ambassadors wife
heard her story, by some magic she
could solve the difficulties. The old
er woman read this trust, and was
touched by 1t.
Have you thought Of catching a
boat at Gibraltar" she asked. "They
are not so crowded: people haven't
begun to rush out Of Italy yet"
But nobody will honor my letter
of credit" Jane mourned. "And, be-
Sides. all the trains south Of Paris
are given up to the mobilization. No
body can ride on them but soldiers"
The lady of the embassy knit her
| brows for a few minutes while Jane
anxiously scanned her face. Finally
she spoke:
"The ambassador knows a gentle
mana large hearted American
| gentleman here in Paris-who has
promised his willingness to help in
deserving cases by advancing money
on letters of credit. And with money
there is a way-just a possible way
of getting to Gibraltar. Leave your
letter of credit with me. my dear; 60
to the police station in the district
where you live and get your " pass
! through the lines, just as a precaution
against the possibility Of your being
able to leave tonight. Then come
back here and see me at four O'Clock.
Perhaps-just a chance
H~ildebrand's buyer seized the hands
of the embassy's lady ecstatically,
tumbled words of thanks crowding to
her lips. When she went out into the
! street the sun was shining as 1t had
not shone for her for a dreary terrible
week. s -.a- ".>
At seven o'clock that night a big
Roman-nosed automobile, long and
low and powerful as a torpedo on
wheels, pulled up at the door of the
| American embassy. Two bulky osier
baskets we're strapped on the back OF
it's toneau: in the rear seat were
many rugs. A young chap with a
sharp shrewd face-an American
sat behind the wheel.
The door of the embassy opened
and Jane Gerson, swathed in wells and
| with a gray duster buttoned tight
about her, danced out; behind her fol-
flowed the ambassador, the lady of the
embassy and a bevy Of girls, the vol
unteer aids of the overworked repre-
sentative's staff. James arms went
| about the ambassadors wife in an i'm
pusiye hug of gratitude and good-by;
the ambassador received a hearty
lhandshake for his God speed you'll"
la waving of hands and fluttering of
lhandkerchiefs, and the car leaped for
ward. Jane Gerson leaned far over
1.-THE back, and, through cupped hands,