Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-16

IL BuL Tell NE d. liIIAo'
1--WE shall neither of us ever kno"
again what it means to be aosoluteiN
POOR he said.
DO you mean that you have
rise-a better situation?
He smiled cheerfully.
"Something even better than that,
he assured her. Every thing will be
made absolutely clear to you quite
naturally if you will only trust me
and remember that l love you as
love nothing else on earth. Just SIT
still and take things as they. come
and believe that what is coming is
good"
She pressed his bands with sudden
feryor. All that she would have SAID
was in her eyes.
Suddenly the taxicab stopped
where on earth are we! she
asked.
He handed her out onto the pave
ment and paid the taxicab man.
cts a church," she gasped, looking
at him in amazement.
He led her across the threshold.
The church was in busy nelghbor.
hood and no one took any notice Oh
them as they passed on. Bliss removed
mis- hat and stood still for moment.
"Dearest," he said softly, sis this
q great shock to you? Try and bear
It. We are going to be married.
She laughed little hysterlcally.
Then. before she could say anything
abe was suddenly conscious that ne
was leading her up the aisle. and that
the organ was playing soft music
There was scarcely any one else in
the building.
The words of the service conf
menced almost as soon as they reach
ed the chancel. A pew-opener gave her
away. Her responses were almost
mechanical. The clergyman sum-
moned them afterward into the vestry
where they signed their names.
Bliss laid piece Of. paper upon the
table and whispered in the clergy
mans ear:
Don't look at that until after we
have gone. It's little thank-oferlng
You can make what use Of 1t you
like"
The clergyman shook hands with
them. They walked down the aisle and
once more out into the street
She caught at his arm.
ernest she faltered. "do you re-
alize what we have done?'
"Of course do" he ansWerea
cheerfully. 81 have been preparing
for it for long time. Bless you, the
banns have been up for nearly a
month"
Il never told YOU he replied
"for a reason which you will now un-
derstand in very short time All
can say is. please still trust in me.
Another taxicab'' she exclaimed
as he held up his hand Ernest, she
added with a frown, I'm afraid
shall have to begin lecturing you yer?
early. Even if you have a good place:
you can't afford taxicabs all the time
He laughed as he gave the man the
address. Then he sat by her side ana
held her tightly to him.
Dearest he whispered fervently,
sthis is the most wonderful moment
of nv life. You belong to me for al
ways-you are my wife. Do you re-
alize it? My wife,
He kissed her. needless Of the pass
ers.by. She looked at him wondering
". His lips were uuivering as though
with anticipation, his eyes were br1gnt.
They drew up at last IN Harley
street. He helped her to allght. paau
the man. and rang the bell OF the Ia.
niliar front door. which was opened
almost Immediately by the same POM
pous servant.
Is Sir James Aldroyd in?"
"What name. sir?'
"Just tell him a patient" Bliss re-
plied. 81 have come to see him pro-
fessionally."
"Have you an appointment, SIR
the man asked.
81 have" Bliss told him grimly J
made it twelve months ago.
The servant stared at him for a mo-
ment in a puzzled manner Then he
showed them both into a waitins-room
and left them.
Frances caught his arm.
"Bnt Ernest" she exclaimed. You
are not i'll? Don't tell me that you
are i'll"
Never better in my life, ne
assured here cheerfully. Just wait
that's all. and remember what ! told
YOU. Everything is going to turn out
wonderfully for US. Think of all the
things you want IN life and imagine
that they are coming true. Then the
shock won't be so great
The servant reappeared.
"Sir James will see you. sir he
announced.
They were ushered into the same
consulting room Sir James looked
up from his table. and it was obvious
that he failed to recognize his visitor.
1t was obvious, too. that he was
little surprised bN this visit from a
young couple Who scarcely seemed to
belong to the class of patients whom
he was accustomed TO see in Harley
street.
He turned around in his chair.
What can do for you?" he asked.
Bliss came and stood by the table.
You don't recognize me, Sir
James,
The physician looked at him cur
1ously.
II recollect you perfectly" he eI-
claimed with sudden interest. Your
name is Bliss
quite right Bliss admitted
Sir James leaned back in his chair
o-S c,rV<iri1od hic victor ThaYp