Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-02
cHAPTER xxvr1.-(Continued.)

CHAPTER XXVT1.-(Continued.)
MIR. Morgan rose YEARLY to his feet.
Bliss led the way to their accustomed
rendezvous.
They sat before handicapped
table in a sweltering atmosphere, i'm
pregnated with the odor Of past lioa'
lions. Bliss himself carried the three
tankards to the table
Here's luck!" he said.
Mr.. Morgan replied gloomily Mrs.
Morgan raised her veil ana slppeo
from her takard. Her red Ranos
were worn with toll. She watched
Bliss all the time anxiously.. Some
thing in his mien attracted her. Per-
haps she recognized in his confidence
some possible means of salvation.
Look here" Bliss confided, Il
know a young fellow-he's perfect
fool but he's relative Of mine. He
won't do a thing for me-neyer d1d
me anything but harm in his life-out
he's the sort of chap who's rather fond
of doing other people good turn, and
he's rolling in money. l believe-ln
fact / am pretty we'll sure Bliss went
on. that can get him to lend you
this bit"
Mr. Morgan sighed.
1T don't sound very likely he de-
clared bluntly. III you knew a mug
of that description. 1t don't seem TO
me that you'd be selling heels at thirty
bob a week." =.
"That's just where you're wrong"
Bliss assured him. "You leave this
matter to me and don't worry. You've
found me pretty truthful. haven't
you'" -. y, MORGAN
admitted.
"Then let me tell you that
wouldn't deceive you In case ike
this. You say the money mas 10 pe
paid by midday tomorrow very
we'll. BY eleven o'clock, or soon aitel
you shall have 1t. You may take my
word for IT,
They were cheered but not wholly
convinced. Bliss, however, fetcheo
them q second tankard from the par,
"Your husband and l." he told
Mrs, Morgan, have had a drink here
every night after work, and only one.
Tonixht. it's going to be two. | can see
that neither of you quite believe me-
but I am going to keep my word, 80
there's no use sitting there looking
miserable. BY eleven o'clock tomor'
row am bringing the money"
"Then II you do" Mrs. Morgan
declared. holding out her hand, and
struggling to hide the tears IN her
eyes. ''all can say Is, We'll bless you
oil our lives"
At precisely ten minutes past eleven
m the following morning, Bliss pushed
open the door of the little office and
entered. Mrs. Morgan was standing
at the window watching the street.
She turned eagerly toward BLISS.
He nodded, smiling.
"It'A all right" he told her. pro,
ducing q handful Of notes. eve got
It," go
She rushed down to the other door
which led down to the cellar.
"Amos!" she called out. Amos!
The young mans here. He's got 1t
Mr.. Morgan, fresh from his ma
chine, came up the stairs at a pace
which seemed Incredible. He wiped
his hands upon his apron. His eyes
seemed glued on Bliss face.
"It's all right" Bliss assured him.
"I've got the money Sit down and
we'll COUNT II.
Mr.. Morgan's under lip suddenly
euivered.
rot the money!"
Bliss dangled the roll Of notes.
"Of course I've got it, he replied.
Didn't l tell you SO? Come on, sit
down, and I'll hand It over
Mr.. Morgan moved toward the desk
like a man In dream. Suddenly he
caught his wife's hand. Her arms
went round his neck. He turned awk-
Wardly away toward the window, and
they stood there together for mo-
ment.
"wsll, I'm tiggered!" he said
twice slowly.
Bliss made great business Of light.
ing 4 cigarette. When they turned
around he had pulled up his chair to
the side Of the desk and affected not
to notice them. He spoke in his most
businesslike manner.
"This young fool of q chap" he
went on, was just in the right mood
when I tackled him. I explained the
Ainiculty we had in selling our heels
because we had to insist upon cash,
and he has made proposition which
l hope you will agree to. Heres the
hundred pounds to pay Tor the ma.
chine outright-Bank Of England
notes. you see--and what this young
aos proposes Is that he should advance
you five hundred pounds--I'ye got the
notes here-on your note of hand, in
terest to be paid at five per cent per
annum. Is that agreeable to you, Mr..
Morgan?"
"Is that what?" Mr.. Morgan fal.
tered unsteadily.
Agreeable! Will you accept tho
money on those terms?" Bliss asked.
Mr.. Morgan made no further pre-.
tense at concealing his emotion. He
leaned his head upon his arms and
sobbed. His wife sat by his side and
patted his shoulder.
Don't take any notice Of him for
moment. Mr.. Bliss she said.
We've had a real hard time, he and
l. always struggling little way up
and always being beaten back. There
never was such worker as Amos
either. Nothing seemed to discourage