Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-07

49,
looking at in all that restaurant
Even the compliment failed to touch
her 1t seemed, indeed, to have
aroused a momentary indignation.
You are absurd" she protested.
my clothes are ready made and
shoddy. l trimmed my hat myself
! with cheap artificial flowers. MY
| boots are ugly l have scarcely ever
worn silk stockings in my life, and
love them I love all pretty things.
can't afford to feel nice or to look
nice. and yet | have worked hard all
my life. And have been good. Just
fancy, only one life and never able to
do more than peer over the fence into
that world of luxury"
"One can never tell he declared
cheerfuHy. Strange things happen"
She smiled at him little whimsical
ly. The mood had passed.
"Please invent something" she beg
ICED, something that will bring in a
great deal Of money. don't believe
you are bit practical, though"
Il wonder" he murmured. 1T
seems to me that I have changed in
many ways lately"
she sighed: your disposition"
'In what respect?"
you can look on at all this luxury,
all this easy living, and you never
seem to feel single pang. Yet
should think that you were better off
once, weren't you?"
"a great DEAL he confessed. 81
don't know, though, that was ever
happier 4
His hand had fallen upon hers. She
made little grimace.
you are going to talk nonsense, l
am sure" she exclaimed, smiling.
81 am going to tell you that you are
the dearest girl I ever met in my life,
II that is nonsense"
Bliss slept soundly that night. and
he had scarcely finished his frugal
breakfast next morning before note
was brought up to him in Frances
handwriting
He tore it open, and read:
II you really want a place as
chauffeur. have just typed an adver-
tisement for one from my employer
here. I hate to\think Of your taking
the place, but eleven shillings won't
last long, VIII ~!
His name is Mr. Montague. The
Offices are at II Norfolk street. Per
haps you had better call around and
see him.
Bliss made careful toilet and pre-
scented himself at the address given, a
little before ten o'clock. In the outer
Office was pert-looking boy.
"Mr. Montague is engaged with his
secretary" he announced. 81 expect
he'll be busy for some time. What's
your name and business?"
Bliss wrote both on the back of a
card and waited.
The place was hung around with
playbills and theatrical notices. From
various announcements he gathered
that Messrs. Montague & Flibbert
were dramatic agents They placed
plays and sketches, and engaged
artists for vaudeville, pantomime, or
the drama.
Bliss saw a good many familiar
names there. and somehow or other
conceived dislike for Mr.. Montague.
Suddenly-the door was opened.
step this way. young man." the
small boy directed.
Bliss looked down at him for mo.
ment, then he sighed.
Certainly sir"
The Office boy glanced at him sus.
piciously, but Bliss fac was immov-
able.
Il can't have all my appointments
for the morning upset." the small boy
continued in premptory manner.
II have several important clients
coming within the next. half-hour
Whatever your business with Mr..
Montague is, Just rush it, there's a
good fellow. This way"
He threw open the door and re-
treated. Bliss found himself in the
presence of his prospective employer,
and noted with some disapproval that
Frances was seated by the side Of his
desk with an open note book in her
hand.
Mr.. Montague conformed- to type.
He was fresh-colored, with black hair
and EYEBROWS, and Enthusiastically Sc
mitic. He was dressed with great
splendor and amazing accuracy Of de-
tail
$50 this is the young man, eh?" he
observed affably, when Bliss entered.
Frances looked up and NODDED to
Bliss in friendly fashion.
"Mr Bliss is the friend OF whom
spoke to you" she assented little
stifrly.
Mr. Montague smiled and somehow
seemed to show all his white teeth.
"A recommendation from Miss Clay
ton goes long way, very long way
indeed" he declared. Still, there are
other things. You think you can drive
q car properly young man?'
II have been in the habit of driving
one Bliss replied.
Mr.. Montague composed himself in
his chair.
"To my mind" he pronounced.
1.-The chief enjoyment about motoring
is to go the greatest number of miles
at the smallest cost | shall engage
you on trial, Bliss, because Of Miss
Clavton's recommendation You will
find me a good master, and your
wages will be liberal. ] shall give you
two pounds week but-remember
this, expect your accounts kept
down to a halfpenny | know exactly
ubot ~ cbould coat tn rim a huu6raI