Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-03

l believe-which l like. Make us an
| offer of thousand"
"You bring your managing director
down and we'll see,' Bliss replied,
/, pinching his leg with the hand that
was inside his trouser pocket to make
sure that he was awake.
''Ill make the present order for a
hundred If you like. in the meantime
the young man suggested.
| Bliss turned to his desk and altered
! the figures with sigh.
II don't think We shall be able to
60 much farther than that at the
price," he declared.
See you later anyhow Ellermans'
young man replied.
! Bliss closed his desk and took taxi
down to the city. There was new
smile upon his face. new sense of
pleasure in his pulse, new alacrity
! in his manner as he entered the dingy
| little warehouse.
| Mr.. Masters, at the sound Of the
opening door, jumped up from his seat
and looked anxiously out of the office
window. Miss Clayton. after her first
hopeful glance, stared at his attire in
amazement.
Bliss gave them no time to answer
questions.
Il want you both to come along
with me-" he exclaimed. Il have a
taxi-cab waiting"
Mr. Masters clasped on his hat and
made for the door, his coat-tails flying
behind him. Frances fingered only
for moment to arrange her hat be-
fore looking-glass. They drove up
West, and all the time they lombard
ed him with questions. Bliss, however,
was like a child with q surprise in
store.
Just little idea of mine,' he kept
on repeating kind of last hope at.
fair. It's coming off trumps, tool"
Have you sold any stoves?"
Frances asked with practical direct
ness.
you'll know all about it in a min
ute or two" he promised.
They descended in Regent Street.
Bliss paid for the taxi out of his right
hand trousers pocket. The crowd in
front of the shop was larger than
ever.
Mr.. Masters stood with his hat on
the back Of his head, and with his
mouth wide open, gazing at the stove,
gazing at the busy chef, gazing at the
advertisement in the window. He was
speechless. 1t seemed as though he
was being told for the frst time in
his life that the Alpha Cooking Stove
was the best in the world.
Come inside" Bliss directed. land
I'll tell you all about It,"
rhoy D,,ehod tho{r In plies
made Frances sit in his chair. Mr..
Masters was standing with his mouth
still open, and his legs wide apart, his
eyes glued on the stove and the two
perspiring cooks.
Just little advertisement idea Of
mine,' Bliss explained. Nothing like
It in these days. They are talking
about the Alpha Cooking Stove all
over London. Some Of the papers are
going to give US free ad. Ellerman's
man has been here, and he has placed
an order for hundred at thirteen
and half prompt cash. and they
want a contract for thousand.
Here's the order, look at IT,"
But where on EARTH" Mr.. Masters
demanded at last. as he held the
slip of paper between his shaking
fingers, did you get the coin from to
run show like this? I've had some
such thought in my mind for ages,
but could never get hold Of the
81 borrowed it from silly ass l
know who has more money than is
good for him." Bliss answered. II Dor.
rowed five hundred. Here is the bal
ance."
He emptied the contents Of his
right hand trousers pocket, handful
Of notes and gold, into Mr.. Masters
hand.
You'll have to repay him the
amount and the interest" Bliss con-
tinued But he's in no hurry for it
and he'll send you the bill. BY the by,
allow me-"
He took two pounds from the heap
of money and put 1t into his pocket.
my tomorrow's salary" he explain
ed. I'm trif1e short Here's Eller-
mans man. He's brought his manag-
ing director along with him. Good
luck, and good-by.'
Mr.. Masters looked more astonished
IMAM ever. FRANCES, VINO udQ Deeu
listening, rose quickly to her feet. He
turned to both of them There were
tears almost in his eyes.
Pm sorry" he said, but | must go
at once. ! can't take my commission !
on the stoves. All that I can accept !
is that two pounds which isn't really |,
due until tomorrow, and I've got to !
leave you without notice.
You'll stay as my partner, you !
young idiot" Mr. Masters Numbered. I
Go, indeed! What do you think I'm
made of? You've saved me from ru' |
God bless you."
Bliss was conscious Of curious and |
most celebrating sense of pleasure. |,
1t was an absolutely new and extreme !
ly pleasant sensation. He held out one
hand to Mr. Masters and one to the ,
girl She, also, was looking at him
you won't really leave us?' she .
begged. please don't"
1T isn't my choice" he assured
them earnestly. Its just q hard ne