Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-15
Too Much Efficiency
by j. E. Rath.

was Watcnlng her
Constance missed a step. something
that was foreign to her custom, and
that did not serve to improve her
temper. The Van Nest boy had not re-
covered from his astonishment at the
error when the efficiency man advanc-
ed across the room.
"One moment, please" he said.
The dancing couple stopped; so did
three other couples, one of which was
composed of two girls dancing to-
gether
Hedge included them all in a brief
bow, then gave his entire attention to
Constance.
What is the dancer"
Constance, surprised out Of speech
by the intrusion, turned appealingly to
the Van Nest youth.
Partly fox" drawled that person.
with few steps Of my own
you invented them" inquired
Hedge.
Il guess so. Don't remember exact
ly; dance quite bit"
1T doesn't matter The point wish
to make is, why do you waste so many
steps?"
Waste 'em?"
Constances partner was a puzzled
young man. Whoever heard of a vast.
ed dancing step?
Exactly. Waste them. | have been
you dance. You start in
given direction, and you proceed so
many steps in straight line. Very
good. Then there Is pause, which, for
purposes of rest, is undoubtedly per-
missible. Upon resuming progress.
however, you then move in a sidewise
direction-four steps-after which you
continue the forward motion. You will
readily see that those four steps are
wholly unnecessary, consume an al
ditional length of time, and bring about
a delay in reaching the other end Of
the room.'
Constance was flushing hotly and
biting her lower lip. The Van Nest boy
was standing with his mouth open. A
small circle of curious young people
had assembled itself round the trio
studying the efficiency man with wide
eyes. Presently Wally Van Nest re.
covered speech.
But say he protested, those side
steps are part of the dance. Don't you
Every well. Grant that. But why
four? Why nos two? You obtain exact
|y the same eject that of moving
with fifty per cent of the eff
fort. will illustrate. Allow me, Miss
Brooke"
And before Constance could move,
The efficiency man stepped forward
bowed deferentially, and slipped an
arm about her waist. A second later
the ring of observers opened for them,
and they glided RAPIDLY forward across
the floor With Constance, the man
euver was purely automatic and in
voluntary She was in whirl of rage
and confusion. but her feet moved
with mechanical obedience to long
training. She wanted to stop, but could
not.
Eight steps forward they moved, H.
Hedge with mind wholly concentrat.
ed upon his work and executing his
plans with the precision of field riar-
shall. They came to pause.
ITO the left, two he commanded
quietly.
Constance found herself obeying:
out upon the completion of the second
step, wholly from force of habit. she at.
empted to take third. She was firm
y but not roughly checked by sur.
1risingly strong arm. In the nero
traction Of second she could feel the
muscles of the efficiency man tighten
ike cords of steel.
Forward" he commanded.
81 said two sfpnc not fni1rv he <old
Ter quietly. "Now-again"
So they went forward again
Once more the hateful demonstra-
ion of scientific dancing was repeated.
And after that again and again From
age and confusion. Constance's mind
urned to establishment H. Hedge
lanced very we'll To be sure, his CON
'eption of the artistic was absurd and
yet what he did at all was
lone perfectly. She could not but mar
eel at it.
Thank you: that will be sufficient
lie said abruptly, as they reached the I,
center of the room again
Constance, upon being released. fell |
sack step and stared at him in be- !
/
Better, wasn't it," he asked, Same /
exactly, but reduced to an !
economic basis /!
He encompassed the youthful audi !
'nce with his glance, and then looked |!
significantly at the hostess. She re. |
herself.
Let me present Mr.. Hedge" she !
;aid codly
He stepped forward and shook hands /
With each person: Just one firm shake |
lpiece-no superfiuous saving of the |
lir. There was sheer on the face Of .
he Van Vest hOv. The Hollander ana |
Morrison Youths We're grinning In a ,
puzzled fashion. AZ for the girls it was
obvious that the efficiency mar was a |
hing of interest
Millie Minlern could thing of no rea-
'on in the world why she should not
smile at him: so she did-charmingly. ,
4. Hedge interpreted it unerringlv.
IF YOU please" he said advancing.
Il should be delighted" said Mile. !
She was, too. There was certainty !
md sureness about efficient dancing t
hat interested her 1t was trife /
lbrupt. perhaps little too precise.
Yet it was new-different And she felt |
mite secure in the firm grip of the
lrak haired stranger