Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-13
ALICE DEVINE
By EDGAR JEPSON


lie IS Stralgnter.
Oddly enough, it was that rising
young politician. my cousin, Herbert
Polkington, who brought to my knowl-
edge the unpleasant fact that Scruton
was on the way to get Number 9 the
reputation of a gambling hell. Herbert
is one of those earnest and serious
politicians who get up on their hind
legs and paw the air when | tell them
that politics is only a game, and not
SO CHEEKY game as racing. | have Of
ten had to tell Herbert this to check
his pouring out home truths on me
about my useless life, though lately,
since | have been acting as my own
house agent, he has had to stop that.
Before was house agent | used to
think that Herbert's was hard life.
He has made up his mind to be prime
minister; and he must not think Of any
thing else. He has even to dress the
part He has to sit through all those
dreary debates in the House of Com
mons, mug up blue books by the fur
try and write long dismal articles or
let Freddy Gage, his secretary, write
them, in the monthly reviews. But
now that am house agent and have
work to do, do not think Herberts
life so hard after ALL Besides, he is
one Of those morbid people who like
work, especially the dull kind. If he
did not, he wouldn't do it; for he has
seven thousand year. and no big
place to keep up.
When he turned up one day, and
said he had come to lunch with me, l
was rather surprised. Herbert is al
ways very lofty with me, and this was
condescendng indeed wondered
what he wanted.
1t was a sitting hot day. but Herbert
was the correct politician in black top.
hat, black morning coat, dark trousers,
dark tie and dark gloves. 1t made me
feel hot to look at him.
thought that he would bear unloos-
ening SOL told Richards to give us a
bottle of 1908 Heidsieck; and we lunch
ed In the summer dining room, which
faces north and is cool.
AS usual Herbert was looking as seri-
Gus as gate post He always tried to
look as though he was carrying the
empire about with hint Is part OF
the game. He said nothing. and / had
nothing to say; and-[we had finished
our melon and our caviare before the
conversation began: then l said:
DO you never wear summer clothes
something gray?' q
Never in London. Gray clothes give
man an air of frivolity; they do not
go with serious aims in life. In the
country ! wear tweeds of course, but
always dark shades. My reputation de.
mands it," he said solemnly.
II shouldn't like to have reputation
like that" l said.
Il fear you never will. 1t is, unfor,
tunately, too late" he said very loftily.
Saved! Saved" / said softly.
He looked panied, but did not rebuk
me; so knew for certain that he did
want something. /,
l seemed to have set him going, for
he talked earnestly about the dress and
rect young politician. Herbert talking
always makes me figdety He is SO in
formally long winded. He can say more
about nothing at all than any one
know. Also, he has way of fixing his
pale eyes on some point on the wall
opposite and speaking by heart, pain
fully. ! have never heard him make
a speech-it must be awful Besides,
with his pasty, yellowish face he is not
a pretty sight; and he does not only
look as if he had oiled his hair but
sounds as if he had oiled his voice.
let him drone on. 1t is never any
use trying to quicken him; he will take
the most roundabout way to come to
what he wants. | dare say he thinks it
went on with my lunch,
sparing the champagne, which | did
not like so young, and not paying any
particular attention to what he was
saying about the respect due to man
Of answering political sincerity from
his fellow creatures.
Then he did give me jolt, He got
away from the perfect young politician.
began to talk about the perfect young
politicians wife. and said the impor-
tant thing was that she should have
brains.
looked at the bottle of champagne.
II was not that: he had not drunk
enough. Then ! said: Rot, old chap!
The important thing is, that she should
be related to the right kind of people
and know how to entertain them in the
right kind of way or else she must
be woman with lot of money!
NO" he said solemnly. What a
man a man dealing with imperial
affairs-needs in wife. is a stimulat- |
ing companion, some one to foster the |
efforts of his genius
l looked again at the bottle of cham |
oagne. 1t was not the quantity = he !
had only had couple of glasses of it, !
It must be stronger than | thought !
Then l said: !
This is what they call poppycock in !
he state. If we were out of doors, | !
should say that you were talking |
through your hat And ] felt little ,
ired
II am quite serious. These are the !
have come to after Civ |
ng the matter my most careful CON
said Herbert solemnly; |
md he raised his glass and looked at
I as if he were perfectly satisfied with !
t, himself and everything else in the
ice round world !
was not going to bother with ret !
ike this.
"All right; ii doesn't matter" ] said. /
AZ any rate Won re fiyed I'm proupriy |