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

They pulled up short by Bliss.
One was dressed in the uniform or
a commissionaire. The other two
were in evening dress, and with
little start Bliss recognized them both.
One was man about town, an
acquaintance of short time ago,
man who the reputation of being an
adyenturer, but against whom nothing
definite was known; his companion
a wealthy brewers son from the pro-
vinces, frequenter OF the west Emo
bars and restaurants.
ANY one passed this way the
commissionaire asked breathlessly
Bliss shook his head.
II have only just come round the
corner myself
(which corner?"
Bliss pointed.
They dashed across the street IN
the opposite direction. He heard them
shouting as they turned into the
broader thoroughfare, heard grow
ing tumult of voices and the blowing
Of a police whistle. The street was
now empty.
He crossed the road and made his
way toward the pile of tarpaulin. AS
he approached it quivered slightly. He
looked around, to be sure that no one
was watching.
Then he pulled it on one side.
Get up" he said. 81 have sent
them the other way. Tell me what IS
1t all about?" !.
His first Impressions were only OF
the face, delicate and oval. CHASTITY in
its wilderness, and pair OF great
brown eyes, staring, terrified, terrlfy'
ing. Then the figure slowly scram'
bled to its feet.
"My Cod" Bliss exclaimed
"You're-you're woman!'
She clutched at his hand Although
she was still crouching he could see
that she was dressed in the black vel
vet doublet and black silk STOCKINGS
OF 4 page. She had apparently oeen
wearing a cloak, the silver fastenings
of which hung from her shoulders.
"save me-" she faltered.
"What have you done?" he asked
She shook her head
Save mel" she begged. You
will!'
He looked at her costume, absurdly
conspicuous, but the terror in her face
checked his further questioning.
'Tll do what ! can" he replied
shortly. "You can't move from here
as you are. Get underneath that tar
paulin again, therell be no one round
these stalls until four o'clock. I'll go
back and fetch my overcoat.'
She crept back into her shelter. AT
the last moment she cast timid
glance at him.
you'll come back?" she moaned
Eyes, I'll come back" he assured
her.
He made his way to where his troll
ley was standing. 1t was still too
early for business and the place was
almost deserted. Every one seemed to
have followed little crowd of people
who had collected at the corner OF
Bow street.
What's up?" he asked one OF the
porters who was unloading.
There was three chaps come past
here, believing as hard as they could.
Quarrel up at the ball. reckon. They
eats too much, them folks, and they
drinks too much, and then they quar-
rels. Serve 'em blomming we'll right. y
Bliss took the nosebag from his
pony and mounted the seat OF his
trolley
"You orf?" the porter asked.
I'm only going to drive round for
Q Bit" he replied
He walked the pony up the bill and
by a roundabout way, reached the
heap Of tarpaulin. One or two people
were passing, so he waited for mo-
ment under the pretext of lighting his
pipe.
Then he slipped softly to the
ground.
Come" he said. there's no one
looking"
She crept out and he threw his coat
over her. Taking his cap from his
head he handed 1t to her.
Throw that hat Of yours away" he
directed "and pull this we'll over your
eyes. There's only one thing can do
for you. You can sit by my side here
In that overcoat, and I'll drive you
anywhere you like that won't take me
more than twenty minutes. That's the
best / can promise you. I've got my
job here to see to.
Her icy cold fingers clutched his
hand 1T won't take longer than
ku8L, buc Sdbpcu SSulChAJ, PAcoso.
Bliss took his place upon the dri-
ver's seat and helped her up. She was
trembling all over. He buttoned the
overcoat up to her throat and pulled
the cap over her forehead.
(Which way?" he asked.
"Along the Strand?" she begged
He whipped up the unwilling pony
and threaded his way through maze
Of wagons, which were now arriving
every few moments, down. at last, in
to the Strand.
She gave little gulp Of relief when
they were clear OF the labyrinth.
Straight on" she faltered.
She sat there, leaning little for
ward, the overcoat buttoned up to her
throat. the cap pulled over her eyes
her face shrouded and invisible. She
motioned with her hand along Pail
Mall and directed him up St. James
street They crossed Piccadilly and
turned into Berkely Square.
Still she notioned him onward
III It's much further" he remarked,
TIN afra id l shall be getting into