Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-16
THE CURIOUS QUEST
of MR.. ERNEST BLISS
by E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
Copyright The Frank A. Munsey Co.

now very different young man, un
, fashionably dressed. sturdier, grim
mer, with new lines about his mouth
and a steady light in his eyes.
He drew great sigh of relief. Il
seemed to him at that moment, thai
he realized. with a strange and
wonderful thankfulness, all that had
happened to him.
"Have you brought me- the
physician asked, that twenty-five
thousand pounds?''
II have not" Bliss answered stead
lastly. because you have lost your
bet. Twelve months ago 1 left your
rooms, and few hours later walked
out into the street with a five-pound
note in my pocket and only the clothes
stood up in. From that day to this
have lived entirely and wholly on
what have earned. / have kept my
word in the letter and in the spirit.
have accepted aims from no one.
have gained no benefit, direct or in
direct, from my position or my means.
"In cases where, to alleviate. the
distress OF others, have drawn from
my resources, have cut myself away
from those people at once, so that no
advantage could possibly come to me.
I have been a chauffeur, light porter,
a commercial traveller, and wound
up with driving an omnibus for nearly
two months. l left the company this
morning with a good character"
The physician leaned back in his
chair and looked at his patient
thoughfully.
And your health?" he inquired
Excellent.
THE giddiness and faintness you
, complained of"
! Gone"
MY young friend he declared
solemnly, II have never had patient
of whom I am more proud. I shake
your hand. not once, sir, but as many
times as you like
! Bliss was conscious Of a curious
thrill as he stood there. his hand
grasped by the strong capable fingers
of the older man. He thought once
more of that other day twelve months
ago, when he had lounged in after a
late night. to receive the first blow
which had struck beneath the veneer
Of his self-confidence and self-esteem.
He remembered the rush of passion.
ate shame which had given birth to
his bet. He was conscious of the new
vigor in his life. The tears stood in
his eyes.
Il have gained many things during
my exile, Sir James, he said, among
others-a wife"
Sir James turned and bowed to
Frances.
my wife, Bliss continued. smiling
at the wonder in her face and drawing
her affectionately toward him, was a
typist She did not even call herself
young lady typist. She has earned
her own living for the last six years"
Il congratulate you both heartily"
Sir James said. "Your husband, my
dear young lady he added to
Frances, lis most wonderful per.
son, for whom I have a sincere ad-
rniration. He has done what very few
young men in his position and with
his bringing up would have been cap.
able Of"
Frances was incapable of speech.
Bliss patted her hand.
: eve were only married this morn.
ing" he explained. and she married
me as a poor man. I am trying to
prepare her for the change gradually.
And in the meantime. if you will give
me dip of ink, Sir James, your
hospital shall not suffer from the fact
that I have won my wager"
Bliss drew a brand-new check-book
from his pocket.
Once more he signed his name at
the foot of a check. Once more the
sense of wealth and power swept over
him.
Pay to Sir James Aldroyd or
order, the sum of twenty-five
thousand pounds.
He read the words upon the check
over to himself, and laughed softly.
Doctor" he said, II had twelve
and sevenpence when I came in, and
my wife was reproaching me for ex.
travagance because we have had two
taxi-cabs this morning."
The physician leaned over and saw
the amount OF the check. Once more
he grasped Bliss hand.
my young friend he exclaimed.
"if you could only realize the good
this is going to dol"
"Sir James," Bliss replied. 81 can
realize better now than ! could have
zone Twelve IuOntnS ago. lndnkS 10
you. have found a dozen ways in
which I can occupy my time and my
money in the future"
There is nothing l am so anxious
to hear" Sir James said, as the
story of your adventures. Will you
and your wife do me the honor OF
dining with me any night next week?
Shall we say Wednesday? l should
like to ask some of the directors OF
my hospital to meet YOU
ut will give Us great pleasure"
Bliss assented. "You will excuse us
now? This has been our first visit
The physician touched the bell. He
gave them each hand.
[ 81 wish you both all the happiness
you deserve" he said heartily. II
don't think he added. patting Bliss
upon the shoulder that l have ever
had patient who has done me greater
credit
CHAPTER XXXIII.
The Dinner Party.
A very handsome motorcar was
4 49, k- o;n;o