Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-21

Goodbye" she faltered; but
thank you, oh, thank you!"
CHAPTER XII w
Mr.. Motifs Successor.
There was a pink glow in the sky
just at the back of St. Paul's Cathed-
hill into Covent Garden,
He found the place taken which his
trolley had occupied, and he had hard
work to push his way. to the front.
One by one, however, he somehow or
other managed to deliver his notes
and collect his fruit and vegetables.
where's old MOTIF" the first man
asked him.
Don't know" Bliss replied. Il
was engaged by Mrs. Mott. I heard
that Mr.. Mott had gone off"
Gone off," the dealer muttered
doubtfully. "The moneys all right, l
suppose"
Il know nothing about that" Bliss
answered. I'm porter"
We'll ave pint, any'ow," the
man invited.
Bliss followed him into a low.
crowded room where men were
drinking in the dim light.
Fair old tartar, Mott" BLISS new
friend declared. Never wus such a
chap for spreeing round. Wonder lis
missis stands It, She's got the brass.
too. 'Ow long ave you been at this
job, young MANI"
Not very long. This is my first visit
here. at any rate
Ought to 'avet been ere about art
hour ago." his companion remarked,
as he set down his tankard empty.
There's been a rglar game of 'ide.
and-seek all round the stalls. Some
young chap got into trouble at the ball
yonder" -
"Was any one seriously hurt
Bliss asked
They've taken a bloke to the 'ors.
pital-saw i'm go by in the ambu-
lance" the man replied carelessly.
"Just you tell Mrs. Mott, young man.
that I'd be jolly glad of a check on
Thursday. Accounts to meet you
know"
He slipped shilling into Bliss hand
and lurched off.
Bliss drove back to Poplar. 1t was
now broad daylight, and the pave
ments were crowded with men and
women making their silent way to the
scene of their daily toll.
Bliss was feeling sick and tired. 1t
was all he could do to guide the pony
He looked forward to his return, to
Crunno Street and its squalid sur
roundings with absolute loathing
A subtle wave of memory assailed
him. Only short distance away
were his warmed, luxurious rooms
his large, comfortable bed; his serv
ant awaiting to prepare his bath; the
cheerful crackle of the fire: the de-
licious smell of hot coffee He set his
teeth hard.
For some reason or other, It was one
of his weakest moments. The vista of
the months before him had never
seemed so hopeless.
Then, amid that cloud Of memories
he suddenly saw the face OF the ply.
sician-the cold, contemptuous curl OF
his lips; the steely, unsympathetic
glitter of his eyes.
He forgot his giddiness and sat
more squarely upon his seat
A few minutes later he pulled up at
the door of the shop. AS he slowly
descended, a little stiff from the cold.
Mrs Motifs face appeared from an
up-stair window. She was evidently
not yet fully attired, a fact which
seemed to afford her no concern what.
ever.
eve 'ad Mrs. Simpsons boy in to
clean the shop" she called out. You
just leave the cart where 1t is, take
the pony into the stable. and come
round to the back room, and We'll
ave some breakfast. Well unload
the stuff later"
Bliss obeyed, and in. due course
made his way to the back room. Mrs
Mott was already there. wearing q
pink flannel dressing gown tied loose
ly around her.
Her hair was in curl-papers. The
rest of her attire was negligible.
you sit down ere and ave your
bit o. breakfast along o me-" she de-
clared cordially "They amt been
knocking you about, them"
ION the contrary" Bliss replied.
his fascinated eyes fixed upon her
couture, "one large man, who sent
his regards to you and said he should
like a check next Thursday, stood me
a pint of beer and gave me shilling.
you've no call to tell me about
the shilling" she remarked. And
as for Jim Avery's money. he'll get II
all right, and that he knows. You can
begin while run upstairs for min
ute"
Bliss found himself eating with an
appetite. Presently Mrs. Mott reap
peared. The curl-papers had van
ished, and a heavy fringe ornamented
her forehead She was almost embar
raised as she sat down.
Don't often do much prinking be-
fore later in the day. she explained
casually, but you seem such per
ticker kind. Ave some more bacon
do. It'll be bit o. work to bring the
stuff in. I 'ope they aven't been pass
ing off any old truck on you
~ hope not" Bliss replied 81
did my best to watch everything that
was put on
They're rare thieves up there,