Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-01-22

El1llEM ~=
the youths arm and plotting him out
into the reception room. We'll find
a way out If we have to cable for q
warship to come, and get u.s.
Just as Sherman and KimbaI
emerged from the dining room, there
was a diversion out beyond the glass
doors on waterproof street. A small
cart drew up; from It's seat jumped q
young woman in a duster and with q
heavy automobile veil swathed under
her chin. To the Arab porter who
had bounded out to the street she
gave directions for the removal from
the cart of her baggage, two heavy
suit cases and two ponderous oslel
baskets. These latter she was par
ticularly tender of, following then
into the hotels reception room ano
directing where they should be put
before the desk.
The ewcom was Jane Gerson
Hide brands buyer, at the end OF her
gasoline flight from Paris. Cool, ca
pable. self reliant as on the night she
saw the bastions Of the capitals outer
forts fade under the white spikes OF
the search lights, Jane strobe up to
the desk to face the smiling Almer:
"Is this a fortress or a hotel?" she
challenged.
"A hotel, lady, a hotel" Almer pur
red. "A nice room-yes. Will the
lady be with us long"
Heaven forbid! The lady Is going
to be on the first ship leaving for New
York. And if there are no ships, III
look over the stock Of coal barSee
you have in your harbor:" she seizeo
a pen and dashed her signature on
the register. Tho Shermans had
pricked up their ears at the newcom
er's first words. Now Henry J! press
ed forward, his face glowing welcome
IAN Americans simon-pure citizen
of the United States-I thought so
Welcome to the little old Rock!" He
took both the girls hands impulsive!y
and pumped them. Mrs. Sherman
Kitty and Willy Kimball crowded
around, and the clatter of voices was
instantaneous: "By auto from Paris;
goodness mel" mot a thing to cal
for three days but rye bread" From
strassburg to Luneville in a farmers
wagon!" Each in a whirlwind Of ejac
ulation tried to Guido the others story
Of hardship and %privation.
The front doors opened again and
the sergeant and guard who had ear
lier carried of Fritz, the barber, en-
tered. Again gun butts thumped ON
inously. Jane looked over her shoul
der at the khaki-coated men, and con
fided in the Shermans:
81 think that mans been following
me ever since I landed from the
ferry"
81 have" answered the sergeant
stepping briskly forward and saluting
"You are a stranger on the ROCK. you
come here from"
From Paris, by motor, to the town
across the bay: then over here on
the ferry" ile girl answered prompt
ly. What about It"
your name?'
"Jane Gerson. Yes, yes, It sounds
German. I know. But that's not my
fault. I'm an Americana red hot
American, too, for the last two
weeks"
The sergeant's face was wooden.
Where are you going?'
"To New York. on the Saxon1a, Just
a. soon as I can. And the British ar
my can't stop me-"
+ Indeed" The sergeant permitted
himself a feeting smile. From Paris
by motor, Ell? Your passports, please!
81 haven't any," Jane retorted, WIZ
a shade of defiance. They were tax
en- from me in Spain, just over the
French border, and we're not return
ed" .. ~
The sergeant raised his eyebrows II
surprise not unmixed with irony. He
pointed to the two big osier baskets
demanding to know what they con
tanned. :.
Brownsville last gowns made ii
Paris before the crash. Fashions las
gasp. I am a buyer Of gowns for Hi
debrand's store in New York"
Ecstatic gurgles Of pleasure IRON
| Mrs. Sherman and her daughter greet
ed this announcement. They pressed
about the baskets and regarded then
lovingly. y
The sergeant pushed them away
and tried to throw back the covers
open your baggage-all Of I'll" III
! commanded snappishly.
Jane, explaining owe her shoulder
to the women, stopped to tumble will
the hasps.
| Seventy Of the ~darlingest gowns
the very last Paul Poiret and PaQu1l
! and Worth made before they closet
! shop and marched away with thel
regiments. You shall see every on
! of them" -,
Hurry. please. my times limited
| the sergeant parked. ~a.,
81 should think it would be-yourt
so charming" Jane flung back Owe