Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-12

reached it's destination. Bliss crosse,
\ his legs and, turning round in his seat
found Honerton waiting on the pave
ment.
Now then" he invited.
I Honerton rested one immaculatel,
gloved hand upon dry spot on the
front of the bus and the other upol
the rail, and after a nervous glance
around ITO be sure that they were
alone, he leaned over from the curb
stone in a confidential manner.
Look here, Bliss, old chap" HI
began, when I left you in the
Strand that day, l had the hump for 6
time. One hates to think of pa.
looming a real cropper, and not seem
ing to have the gift, you know, fol
pulling himself together.
'You understand what l mean,
he went on hastily "Take my case
now. ! have been absolutely stone
broke, but do l look it? Could any
one ever guess it? That's becaus,
I've the knack of pulling myself to
1gether and making the best of things
Seer"
Bliss nodded.
"Oh, yes, l see" he assented.
well" Honerton continued, :"
thought it all over. and finally / dis
cussed it with a few of our old pals
Now, don't get skittish," he exclaimed
quickly, as Bliss started. Listen tt
what rye got to say.
81 made little proposition II
Them" he proceeded, drawing sheeN
of paper from his pocket, "and they
were all over it-all over it, Bliss
assure you. We never asked single
soul to subscribe. The oof simpl.
rolled in. There's Freddy Lancaster
never seemed to have a lot, you know
and we used to chaff him about beini
stingy. He weighed in with q pom,
before we could tell him the whole
story, and, ! tell you, we had the
hardest job to keep the girls out o.
it. There was little Nellie Powers
and Flo Graves, and half q doze1
more OF them wanted to give half theil
salary for months. Freddy and ]
though put our foot down at that
We knew how you'd feel, and W,
wouldn't take a penny from a girl"
What's 1t all about, anyway
Bliss asked. his voice shaking little
Simply this old chap" Honerto,
concluded, some of your old paE
have put their heads together, ant
they have decided to give you dinner
on you own date, and at the close O.
the dinner they're going to hand you {
little check which, believe me, will bt
worth having, for you to 90 out t.
Canada or America or wherever 20,
choose, and make a fresh start, o,
make 1t here among US il you like.
anyway as Freddy Lancaster sait
it's Just a little rebate upon all thu
hospitality and kindness you've shown
to lots OF these fellows when they've
fbeen In hole, and Just to-er-le
Iyou see that they,don't want pal t.
slip down without stretching out
helping hand-er--and that sort Q
thing" Honerton wound up, with ,
sight Of relief.
1 Bliss turned his head away. HI
was looking down the long vista o
the crowded street.
| Suddenly the vehicles seemed nj
tangled together, the faces of tn,
people blurred and indistinct. There
was lump in his throat. He could
scarcely trust himself to answer
Honerton was tremendously busy witt
his cigarette case, and had moved {
little further back to get light.
! well. old chap" he asked pres
ently.
Il can't say much tc you.' Bliss de
clared. "This has taken my breath
away. Will you just say that I'll din.
with them all with pleasure, and, II 4
isn't too soon, should like the date tt
be December 10.
That's fine" Honerton exclaimed
1"Well say eight O'clock, and it will bt
at the Milan. We shall get the Vene
tiap Room. II you don't mind, >ole
chap, I'll hop it now" he went on. .
dare say you're used to it, but this bus
shakes me up bit. There's a tax
stand there. and I'll just be getting
back. So long. Don't forget. Vene
titan Room at the Milan, eight o'clock
december 10. And, by the bye
he added, about the-er--yount
llady?"
There's my girl, of course" Bliss
said. MAY l bring her with me?"
"Of course you may" Honertor
replied. you bring her along, ant
| VIC IL give yOu UOlA q SOOO oSAu-Oll
ISo-long once more!"
"so-long," Bliss echoed a little
dazed.
Bliss was unusually silent that nigh
as Frances and he made their way to
ward the little restaurant.
Nothing wrong, is there?' she in
quired, with some anxiety. "Yol
haven't lost your placer"
mot l." he assured her promptly
81 haven't even touched fine yet
Only / had rather shock today
Some Of the men used to know whel
was better off want to give us {
dinner and start off somewhere
Frances. They've subscribed quite {
decent sum. What do you think abou
it,"
do you mean to go abroad?>
He nodded.
THAT seems to be the idea"
She was Thoughtful for a moment
Her eyes we're soft. and he knew yer,
well what was in her mind
Its your sisters you're thinkin,
about isn't it?' he asked as they tool
. their places in the restaurant. Sup