Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-19
CHAPTER xxx111.-(Continued. }

wonderful little boudoir, which opened
into a, bed room. A neatly dressed
maid came respectfully forward. The
bed room was an enhancing sight.
Every article of furniture in it was
piled with boxes.
81 don't think l have forgotten
anything" Mr.. Crawley went on,
glancing at his note book. "Levillion's
have sent up a dozen morning gowns
and a half dozen evening ones, and
their filter and dressmaker will be
here in an hours time. The other
things you wanted from Bond street
are all here on approval"
"Will madam breakfast first, or
would she like her bath prepared?"
the maid asked quietly.
Frances looked at Bliss. Her lips
quivered.
He passed his arm through hers.
'rYou may prepare madame's bath
in half an hour" he directed, "and
make selection of clothes for the
morning. Come along, dear, think
1t is time we drank one anothers
health in something better than the
Medoc you used to grudge me so.
Open some champagne, Gloves" Bliss
ordered, as they passed back into the
dining room. Nov, Mr.. Crawley,
If you like, here's my story
He told it in a few words. The
lawyer listened silently to the end. and
whom It was finished he wrung his
clients hand.
.llr. Bliss" he declared, you
have taken my breath away. All l can
say is that wish you both the hap
ptness you deserve"
Wen drink to it." Bliss said,
holding up hts glass.
II drink both your heaHhs, my
dear young people," the lawyer con.
t3nued. Yours is marriage which
has begun In romance. You have both
had your share of LIES hardships.
you have both something to remember
IN your days. And l." MI. Crawley
concluded, az he tok up his hat,
~shall never forget how well your
husband, my dear Mrs. Bliss, looked
On the box seat Of motor omnibus"
He took his leave few minutes
latsr. For the first time they were
alone.
Frances turned toward her husband
z can't believe it," she faltered.
Il shall never get used to it ALL"
He laughed reassuringly. Then he
seemed to have become curiously
passive.
Dearest" he said. 'sits all quite
true. You are rich-just as rich as
you want to be. You can send your
sisters abroad whenever you want to.
You can give them home. Ruth can
20 to Dresden for her singing lessons,
and Elsie can be sent wherever you
like on the Riviera. We might take
her with u.s."
She was crying quietly, but under
Meath it all Bliss could see the
.remuIops happiness in her face.
'It's too wonderful" she whis-
pered, clinging passfonatefy to him.
"The most wonderful thing Of ALL"
he whispered. els our two selves
that you are my wife, Frances, that
love you as I never believed l could
love any one"
Her arms frightened around his neck.
For the moment she forgot everything
else. Then there came a discreet
knock at the door. The maid entered.
everything is ready for madame"
she announced.
twenty-five exceedingly well groom
ed young men were awaiting the arriv-
n Of Bliss and his wife that evening
IN the Venetian room at the Milan res
t2maut, Honerton, who was In charge
q tho proceedings was little ner.
youa.
You don't suppose there's any
chance Of his not turning up"
Tseddy Lancaster asked him.
sfJoe the slightest" Honerton de-
easred. He'll be here all right. But
Frodd- don't know whether you
eeIovv m understandable not sure
so he has even suit OF evening
alokhes to his name. He was looking
lfke nothing On earth when l saw him
lasts
me young man whom he was ad- |
e,essink smoothed out his tie com.
.Poor old Ernie!" he sighed.
Hooked up to a girl too! ! say,
Son fellows, when do you think we
uusht to make the presentation"
as soon as possible, Of course!
pRt keep him in anxiety too long
1ould think he'd enjoy his dinner
haf4er if he knew there was a thou
md Of the best waiting for him.
fhe door of the room was suddenly
ppened, and q servant announced Mr.
md Mrs. Bliss.
The general feeling, when they ap-
peared, was one of surprise Bliss
was as well and carefully dressed as
any Of them. He was looking little
and older, perhaps. but he
carried himself in more dignified
and serious manner.
Frances, too, was not what they ex-
pected. she was dressed in a simple
but wonderfully made white evening
rown, and around her neck hung a
string Of pearls which looked amaz-
ingly like real ones.
After the first shock they all crowd
ed around him, and Bliss found him
self shaking hands with a surprising
number of his quondam companions.
The awkwardness which many of
them had dreaded was dispelled al
most from the first by Bliss himself.
He chatted gaily with every one, and
to past events without the ]
slightest doleful alluSion to the catas- !