Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-11-16
Opp0rtunitD-
BY EDGAR FRANKLIN
Copyright The Frank Muney Co., West Forteh Street.
New York City.
CHAPTER 1v-(continued).
Bv EDGAR FRANKLIN

CHAPTER Iv-(Continued).
Observation-Disclosures you ma.
not understand this, sir, but prom
ised father | wouldn't tell any one
where we five"
"What?"
81 did, and can't break promise!'
David insisted. "You see, father was
rich once, and he's terribly proud. He
doesn't want any one to know we live
in such poor place, because some
body he used to know might hear of II
and trv to help him. and that would
break fathers heart"
His hearts in pretty bad shape
isn't it?'' Johnson Boiler muttered.
"Frightful!" said David. And that
why I'll have to 60 now and explain
to him and think it all over and"
'eWhy think it over?" Anthony
rasped. isn't you mind made up
now?"
"Of course it is,' the boy said hast.
lily. "Only I'll have to tell father and
then come back here in the morning,
Mr.. Fry; ONLY have to go home
now!"
His voice broke strangely.
Anthony Fry looked him over with
4 quantity of sour curiosity.
II the golden opportunity before his
very eyes was making even the trace
Of an impression on David Prentiss,
the boys faculty for masking his true
emotions was downright amazing.
That bright, rather attractive young
eomtenance told of absolutely moth
ing but the heartfelt desire to escape
from the gentlemen who wished to
improve his condition.
It was the same old story, world-old
and worldwide. David, once he was
out Of his apartment would never re-
turn; with opportunity fairly pushing
against him, he turned from her in
tenor, refusing to know that she was
there.
Wen then, he should see her!
Anthony's square chin set. He rose
With 9 jerk and stood surveying the
nervous David, a TALL commanding
rather fearsome figure. Some little
time he transfixed the lad with his
cold, hard eyes, while David grew pal
or and paler; then he walked up and
down upon David, who cringed visibfy
and seized his shoulders.
David" he said sternly, you have
no conception At all Of what am try.
ing to offer you. I'm going to keep you
here until you have"
Keep me-here?' David faltered.
"Just that
It was in johnson Boilers mind to
Else and deliver a little speech Of his
own, pointing out the legal rights OF
No Nho no 2f
some later date, interested parties
might hear Of this evening and use 1t
In moving Anthony toward an insane
asylum. Yet he did not speak, for he
grew interested in David himself.
That bewildered youngster was
shrinking and shrinking away from
Anthony. He was whiting before the
stern eye, and he was smiling in the
0ickliest, most ghasly fashion. And
now he was nodding submissively and
speaking:
"Yes, I'll stay, Mr.. Fry
"Ah!" said Anthony.
Tin glad to stay David assur-
"a him.
Then, looking at Anthony, he con-
trived another smile and yawned; and
having yawned once, he yawned again
vastly, and stretching the second
"The-the trouble with me is that
I'm sleepy" David stated, in strange
low voice. II get that way because
I'm not used to late hours, and when
do get sleepy IL can't think or
talk or do anything. III be> myself in
the morning, Mr.. Fry; but If In, go
Ing to stay here, I'd like to go to bed
now"
He yawned again and still again,
quite n0istly and eying Anthony in IN
odd, expectsnt, pleading way. An.
tAouy, after a puzzled moment, shrug-
eed his shoulders and smiled.
go to bed II you like, David he
san. There are one or two things
want to say to you first"
Yes, ST." David said obediently.
@Tomorrow, when you have slept on
= I'm confident that you will see the
0oo opportunity that have offered
you, and that you will stay with as
one Of my little household. 1t is not
IN exactinG position, but there are
one or two Laws you must remember.
For the flrst-no dissipation. You
don't drink, David?"
mot drop, sir"
.And for another" Anthony said
grayeiy, rno women!"
'Eh% said David.
Absolutely no women in this Hotel
LAsande!" Anthony repeated, with
fanatic force that caused Johnson
Boiler to snort disgustedly and throw
up his hands. This is, perhaps, more
strictly than any other house in New
York an altman establishment. There
are not even women servants here,
David, and other sorts Of women don't
run in and out of here. In fact, the
ladies who do conservatives of the
tenants, Of course-are 30 very few
that they're I'll known to the clerks
So, while you may have a sweetheart,
David and while she may be all very
vol in her place-keep her out of
here!"
That's the unwritten law of the
house, and 1t makes for profound
peace" Anthony concluded. you'll
it more fully when you
have lived here for time
David, facing Mr.. Fry, gazed at the
door and yawned again.
II guess I'll go to beds he said