Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-18
(Chapter 81 Continued.)

ssNo. I used ITO drive myself
mean / was always interested in mo-
tor-cars,' he replied.
well stop here>for luncheon" she
ordered suddenly
bliss swung in under the low arch
way of an old.fashion inn.
"Order- what you like, please she
said. as she descended from the car.
II shall be ready to start again IN an
an, hour"
Bliss lunched in the kitchen with an
exceedingly good appetite, wrote let
ter. to Frances, and spent few min.
utes going over the car. Principally,
at the expiration of the hour the
young lady reappeared, and they
started OF almost at once.
''Get your lunch all right?' she In
quired.
"ouite all right, madam, thank
you, Bliss answered.
l,"Where did you have it,"
I'm the Kitchen, Bliss told her
with a twinkle in his eye.
She leaned little forward and
looked into his face.
Are you used to having your
meals served in the kitchen?'
"Get them wherever l can" Bliss
replied cherfully. 1T really doesn't
matter II one Is hungry. The great
thing IL, to have the appetite"
"Are you one Of those foolish young
men," she asked, who lose their
money racing and gambling. and then
have to earn their own living?
"something like that" Bliss ad-
mitted.. Anyhow, ittwas betting that
placed me in my present position"
.Then YOU ought to be ashamed OF
yourself" she said.
"WeEl, I'm not SO sure" Bliss pro.
tested, with a smile at the corners OF
his lips. you, see, you don't know
the whole story"
aAnd I don't want to- the young
lady replied :" You can smoke II you
care to. I'm going to sleep"
She kept her word, and they were
almost to Norwich before she awoke.
Bliss drove to the Maids Head Hotel.
'Shall you require the car again TO-
day. madam" he asked.
Certainly not" she said. come
for orders at half-past ten in the morn
ing. Here is some money for anything
you may want.
She handed him two pounds, which
Bliss. after a moments hesitation &C
cepted.
THANK you very much, madam" he
said. II will be round at ten-thirty
sharp
Bliss strolled out into the city,
bouxht a few necessaries, went to bed
early and took long nights rest.
Next morning he was shown into the
coffee-room, where the young lady
was finishing her breakfast.
She glanced at the clock as he en-
tered. It was exactly half-past ten. :.
you are very punctual." she said
~My box is packed, and I am quite
ready to start. You can bring the car
around at once"
Bliss did as he was ordered and
few moments later they glided out OF
the courtyard Of the inn.
"where to now, madam" Bliss
asked.
Il wish you would think of some.
whore. I have no plans" she said.
do you like the sea-? he In
Guired, cor do you prefer another
cathedral city? There are Ely and
Peterborough not so very far away,
or X you care for seaside place,
Where's Cromer."
well 20 to Cromer.'
"only an hours rum" Bliss 70
marked.
well. We can see what the place
ils Ike, she said, land II like 1t
WIN stay for day or two. I hated
Norwich"
Y am. sorry, madam" Bliss re-
>k>A ve13k~lv
Thsy were silent for some little
time. then she turned abruptely to-
ward him.
II VIII tell you why hated it." she
explAined. II suppose people don't
uhderstand girl travelling about
alone. Look at me. DO I look as
though wanted adventures
Bliss turned his head.
/ For the first time he realized that
his employer was really a very hand
some young woman. Her figure was
tgood, her features we're strong, al
though a little masculine. She had
dark eyes. inclined to be a little mar
ROW. but distinctly attractive. Bliss
had curious feeling that she was try
ang to look her best
"H<ot In the least he assured her
Deaitely.
Y suppose people don't understand
u woman going about unprotected
she repeated. II dress as quietly as
possible, look at no one, but the same
thing happens everywhere. At Nor
witch 1t was perfectly hateful. Two
men stared at me in the coffee-room
Ill the time and followed me out into
the street. Another enterprising per-
son actually invited me to go to a pic
ture palace with him"
Bliss nodded sympathetically, not
quite understanding the drift Of her
remarks. He felt there was nothing
he could say.
II am quite sorry to intrude upon
your spare time" she went on, "but
should be glad If you would have
dinner with me this evening wherever
we may stay"
Bliss started.
"But, madam" he protested, 81
have no evening clothes.'
Wear what you have on" she
replied.
Bliss looked down at himself doubt