Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-04
CHAPTER VI, (continued)


and into "a far corner of the music
room. where they were safe from pry
Ing ears. 1t was Billy who spoke first
"You made fine mess of it, ALICE
he exclaimed.
Alice did her best" declared Con
stance defensively. Would you have
done any better?"
"Well, why couldn't she have given
him the idea We earned this money
or something like that
Earn it," jeered Alice. "a lot we
do to earn it, and you know it,
"He talks as If we were panhand
lers." growled Billy.
TIT was like standing a bread
line" groaned Alice.
Come interrupted Constance
We've got to decide. It's half, or moth
ing"
" won't take half!' stormed her
brother
DO YOU want nothing, then? You
know very well none Of us ever had a
bank account. We never eren thought
of asking for one, when father was
here. Now. listen; you'd better take
this fifty per cent offer, because II you
don't. Billy. you won't have cent to
your name"
There was an inarticulate rumbing
in his throat.
And you'll be in the same fix,
Alice; all Of U.S." continued Constance.
1--WE can't go around like beggars; you
know 1t. For my part, I'm going to
take mine"
Cant we borrow the rest some
where?"
Billy"
The proposal shocked Constance, be-
cause 1t assailed her Brooke pride.
"None of us will ever borrow, If I
can help it," she said stoutly. Then,
after pause: We'll, now that we've
accepted half, shall we take it by the
day or the week?"
Lets 60 back and fight for it by the
month in advance" said Billy.
Constance shook her head.
ut would do no good she said
has all the money and we've only got
1919 between us--and that's all mine.
And ! can see he Is not going to
change his mind. He hasn't yet, on
anything. For my part, can stand it
by the week But I'm thinking Of you
and Alice"
Constance was canny as we'll as eau.
tious. She knew the failings of the
Brookes, even her own.
IT guess it'll have to be by the day."
admitted Alice. Because / need my
little $1.66 tomorrow to 60 to a
matinee"
Constance looked at her brother.
"Oh. any way you say he grumbled.
TITS settled. then, We all get our
checks tomorrow morning"
1T seems to me you're giving in on
every blooming thing" complained
Billy, with an ungrateful scrowl at his
sister.
Constance smiled wisely.
Listen, my children she said.
"This person has cut our allowances in
half. Very well. But he hasn't cut our
charge accounts has he? We can run
up bills, can't we? We don't have to
say anything about that, do We? For
one, resolve to spend three times as
much as ever did before!"
And r." cried Alice. you're won
der, Connie!"
Billy was grudging Of enthusiasm
Being a man. the pastime of charging
things did not compare with the SEN
sation of having the money In his
pocket.
Nov, not a word about charge &C.
counts" cautioned Constance.
Not a word" echoed Alice.
The efficiency man greeted the re.
turning conferees with friedly smile
and nod. They ranged before him, Con.
stance in the center
I'VE accept the half rate" she said
coldly, mot because it is fair or even
decent, but because We cannot help
ourselves. And"-she choked for an in
stant-"we have decided to take it by
The day"
Excellent" said Hedge. Good bus.
iness. Thank you, Miss Brooke
II do not care to be thanked, if you
please"
very well. Withdrawn"
Constance shot him fierce glance,
but checked retort There was still
an item of business.
Our money was due today" she ex.
planned, "but we are not to be paid I'm.
til tomorrow morning. | understand.
There will then be two days due. Billy
land myself will be entitled to check
for 1856 each, instead of $3.50 while
Alice will get 1888, instead Of s1,66. Is
that agreed?"
Quite correct" nodded Hedge, as
he made memorandum.
Alice and Billy sighed softly and
looked in admiration at their sister.
Neither had thought of that Connie
had saved them a days pay.
As the three Brooke's retired once
more from the scene, there was some.
thing like approval in the eyes Of the
efficiency man, as their glance follow.
ed the central figure in the group He
admired good business.
CHAPTER BIZ.
AND DEMOSTHENES.
Matilda Araminta Jones was per
son with an obsession. The obsession
was Constance Brooke, Matilda came
from New England. which signifies