Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-09

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please. We're off,
At the next halt Mr.. Crawley once
more made his appearance.
Have you any instructions to
give?" he inquired.
Bliss nodded.
you can send a thousand guineas
to Mr.. ]. Miles, Canadian Employment
Bureau, Seventeen Queen Victoria
street, he directed. Anonymous do
nation"
Anything else?' ~
"A hundred pounds to William
Jennings, Nineteen Pinter street,
Camberwell. That's my mate on the
bus. He has child i'll and wants to
send her away. Anonymous, mind"
Certainly" Mr. Crawley assented.
Anything elese?"
Fifty to Thomas Bride, foreman
head Office of the Omnibus company.
Then you'd better look up that chap
who makes heels down in Finsbury,"
Bliss proceeded, "and see how he's
getting on. Fl he wants any moro
capital, let him have it. !.
"And now listen to what have to
say Invest five thousand pounds in
the name of Mrs. Heath, and pay her
the first quarters dividend in advance.
Write and say that the sum has been
placed in your hands absolutely for
her benefit. You know the address"
You seem to have made few
friends" Mr.. Crawley remarked.
What about the young LADY,"
Bliss face darkened for moment.
He shook his head regretfully.
Il can't do anything for her." he
said simply. "she's got to hang on
for forty-eight days.
Mr.. Crawley put his book in his
pocket.
I'LL take a ride with you another
morning soon,' he promised, but you
might explain to your friend William
that shove up Behind as he calls
It, is not exactly "a dignifed way Of
assisting a person Of my age and
figure. What about some cigarettes"
Bliss shook his head.
Only ordinary perquisites are in
ORDER" he explained. "a handful Of
cigarettes from a passenger is all i
right. Twice following wouldn't do"
"A small tip, I suppose" Mr..
Crawley ventured.
Bliss was thoughtful for a moment.
Then his face lightened.
"You might" he suggested, "give
sixpence to William. Be careful,
though he added anxiously. Ito ex.
plain that it ia we'll for him to treat
the driver as we'll as himself"
81 will do so with pleasure" Mr..
Crawley agreed.
Don't forget to mention the driver"
Bliss called out after him.
The conductor made his way to the
front at the next stopping place
'The old buffers stood US tanner, !
Ernien he exclaimed with glee.
We'll wet it when we get to the
end!"
Bliss smiled.
Gle does chuck his money about,
don't he?" he remarked y
On Saturday Bliss received twenty
seven shillings and two hours of. He
repaid his loan of FIVE shillings to the
foreman. and made his way at once to
Frances lodgings.
She met him at the door already
dressed for the street. Her manner
was listless, and even her smile seem.
ed forced as she gave him her hand.
AT last" she murmured. If l
hadn't seen you today
I'll tell you the sober truth. l didn't
come before because dared not"
Then you we're not working?" she
"You must have been
wanting the mohey you lent me all the
time!''
Nothing of the Sort" he answered
Il wasn't exactly working,
but was always earning bit. "Now. !
he added proudly. 1--WE got 4 regular
job"
What lis it?" she asked, with a
tired smile.
I'm driving bus" Bliss explained
Queer sort of Job, in way, but its
thirty-six bob a week"
"a bus!' she repeated.
1--WE just been paid, and I'm starv-
Ing Bliss remarked, as he took her
arm. "Come along"
I'm not going to have dinner with
you," she declared.
But you are.' he insisted
She shook herself free from him.
TITS no good, Ernest" she said
I've lost my last place. My lanlady
has given me notice. I've finished.
all SOlAE IOz lltC " WI. INdoIclb W |
night. If he wants me to go back I'm
going"
Frances" he cried anxiously.
can't help it," she went on. 81
have struggled along, but it's the same
every time l take situation. And |
there are my sisters to think of. I am
doing nothing for them, and there's SO
much that ought to be done.
"But you don't care about this chap, |
Bliss protested.
"Of course don't"' she replied.
you know quite well that you are the
only person l care about in that way, /,
or ever could. But it isn't any use.
A bus-driver at thirty.six shillings q
week can't afford to keep wife and
be saddled with the care Of two Of her
sisters. You know that as we'll as
do. That's why I don't want to see
you any more. That's why I don't
want to have dinner with you"
Bliss was silent for moment She
glanced at his face, and her eyes filled
with tears.
'1'll change my mind" she declared
suddenly. II will come and have din
ner with Won Well have our little