Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-12
~eHAprER xix, (continued).


(which are the walking shoes?'
"That's the trouble. They all are"
He examined the shoes critically
"You do a good deal of walking he
observed at length. 1--WE noticed 1t.
"Yes," she admitted ruefully.
"It's economy not to wear single
pair Of shoes continuously he added.
"That has been demonstrated
"I-I think l have heard that.
"Of course" Then to the clerk:
Wrap them all up
Constance bent her head and began
fishing in her purse with dutlful ankle
ty She did not care to look up. tearing
that the Efficiency man might truly IN
terpret the CLEAN in her eyes.
and charge them" she heard him
say in his usual crisp tones.
Back in the limousine they rode IN
silence for several minutes. the ogre
frownlng at the bundles that lay on
the seat in front Of them. He had
made another entry in the notebook
Constance Judged that it was time
to test the defense again.
1--we already spent more than
I've saved she said sadly.
She had planned the sentence care
fully. purposely changing the ST. to
I'VE"
1 "The purchases are being charged,
he reminded her, his eyes still glaring,
ut the bundles
"Its-it's very kind Of you
"Not at all. Understand. Miss Brooke
that economy and efficiency are not
synonymous with a policy OF never
amending anv money"
"Truly?' Her establishment was by
no means feigned.
"Of course. thought you under
stood. There is a complete chapter on
that feature in the book I loaned you
$50 there u.s. I'd forgotten
.Necessary expenditures, in order to
preserve efficiency. are always econ
omy. You needed gloves and shoes, did
you not?"
Indeed, yes!"
very we'll. Then we have been prac-
Using, economy and living up to our
principles. Economy. may add IN
mere dollars. frequently costs more
than extravaganza Note the case OF
your New Year party.
ut would have been extravaganza to
pay two hundred dollars. say, for tho
employment of musicians and the pur-
chase OF indigestible refreshments.
But 1t was economy, combined with
efiiciency and the principle OF safety
flrst. to spend three hundred dollars
for a specialist and nurse In order to
protect the health of the household
Constance opened her eyes wide, but
was too amazed to speak. So he had
spent three hundred dollars on that!
She made a mental note that H. Hedge
would pay dearly.
you appreciate the force of 1t, do
you .not?" he demanded.
"I?" Oh. assuredly!"
GOf course. It's obvious
But as he glanced at the bundles
again his frown returned.
.'Well. where next?'
"Y wasn't sure there was going to be
any next"
Its a waste Of time. gasoline. and
tires to spend an afternoon merely
shopping for gloves and shoes" he de-
clared with emphasis. Scientific shop
ping contemplates the purchase Of all
necessities within the shortest space
What else
Constance stole a glance at him and
paused irresolutely. Unconsciously she
patted her hat.
mot that" he exclaimed in alarm.
No. not that" she agreed. WAS 1t
terribly expensive?'
Moderately So he admitted. Then
hastily: But not extravaganza There
Is q marked difference l draw the line
at extravaganza. But. as | said before.
economy is not wholly gagged by dol.
lars. | consider the hat an economy.
all things taken into account Do you
find It a useful practical hat?"
"Oh. tremendously SOL" she assured
him.
He had spoken quite solemnly, but
when Constance next ventured
glance she detected faint grin on the
efficiency mans features He froze 1t
lnmediately when he discovered that
he was observed.
"Well. where next?' he repeated.
Constance decided upon another
Oefagetic move
Honestly. l don't know" she said.
What do you think I want mean
need?'
He studied her until the scrutiny be-
came trif1e embarrassing. There was
q penetrating and inclusive quality In
his survey that caused her to flush
family. She, wished H. Hedge was not
quite 80 thorough in his examination,
yet she was conscious that his pains
taking interest was not displeasing.
II think you need set Of furs,' he
said.
She beamed at him In sudden bewil-
derment. How could he possibly have
guessed? How could he be so wonder
fully human? And why-oh. why
couldn't he always be like that?
"You are mind-reader. Mr.. Hedge"
she aflrmed. you almost brighten
me-"
mo. am not mind-reader." said
the efficiency man positively But you
see. the other day | noticed that your
nun and boa might easily, even profit
ably, be replaced with set more in
harmony with your fur coat"
when in the world did you notice
that?' she asked in surprise.
ION the back stairs"
H. ~