Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-18


I'VE could start little later In the
morning." she said softly.
Bliss shook his head again.
II must stick to it now I've begun it,
and Job Of this sort wants doing right
away or 1t gets worse"
She turned abruptly on her heel and
left him. Then he sat down on the
step OF the car and wiped the perspira.
ton from his forehead.
thine got back" he muttered.
''Too bad to pull the poor old thing
apart when she's going so we'll; but
here goes!"
He worked upon some imaginary de-
feet in the wiring and saw no more OF
his employer until he brought the car
round to the inn at o'clock the fol-
lowing morning.
ITO Salisbury, suppose?" he asked.
'T've looked up the route. Quite good
roads all the way"
She took her seat by his side with
out replying. She was more closely
yelled than usual and she leaned back
in her seat as though tired. They
lunched together in the, middle Of the
day almost in silence.
Bliss, as they reached their journey 8
end became conscious Of an immense
sense of relief.
Expect ] was making q fool OF my
SELF" he reflected, glancing toward his
companion. Perhaps, after all. she
was simply thinking him ungrateful.
He turned to talk to her, but she an
swered him only in monosyllables.
Then at last be pointed to where the
spire Of Salisbury cathedral was
dimly visible in the far distance.
"The end of our journey!'' heN ex-
claimed. I'VE shall be there In half
an hour"
"Stop," she ordered,
He pulled up the car at once. They
were at the top Of hill, with q long
stretch of road. empty Of any traffic
before them.
She deliberately raised. her veil and
looked at him.
$50 this is the end Of our little ex-
petition" she said.
II have enjoyed 1t very much" Bliss
declared. II shall never forget your
kindness"
1T has not been a matter of kind
ness at ALL" she assured him. For
the first time since was left alone l
have known what it is not to feel lone
vi. l am afraid hate to think 1t all
over"
"It has been ripping" Bliss admitted.
looking steadily along the road. "A
real holiday for me, can assure you!"
She leaned forward in her place and
forced him to look at her.
Need we finish?" she asked.
II am afraid We must" he answered
gravely. THE girl am engaged to
will be getting impatient. for me to re-
turn-and I want to see her, too"
She looked at him moment without
flinching. Then she leaned back once
more and her fingers trembled with
her veil
Drive on, please" she said.
At about s o'clock on the following
afternoon Bliss drove the car into the
garage Of the Sun Motto rcompany. He
was covered with dust and . little
tired after his long drive from Sails
bury. Otherwise he was In excellent
spirits. 1t was month nearer to the
end Of his great experiment; he had
four weeks wages to draw, and with
reasonable luck he felt almost certain
of being taken on again as regular
chauffeur.
He drove the car into a vacant place
an dstopped to look about him. The
garage seemed unusually empty, and
there was an absence of any stir or
sign Of business pressure.
He made his way to the office. The
youthful manager was sitting there
smoking a cigarette and reading q
newspaper. Two strangers were por-
ing over the books at a nearby desk.
brought the Wolseley back, sir, .
Bliss announced.
The manager nodded.
I'VE had a check for the balance OF
the hire this morning" he remarked.
THE young lady" he added condo.
scendingly, Seems very pleased with
your services
81 did my best. sir" Bliss replied.
"The car went very well all the time.
am hoping you will give me regular
lob now-for a matter Of six months,
at any rate"
The young man shook his head.
Bad luck, Bliss. Can't promise any
thing at the moment. Fact is he
glanced toward the two men at the
other end of the room-"the govern.
or's been specializing. We're In liQui'
dation."
CHAPTER XIII.
A Small LooN.
: Bliss heart sank. He had two
pence in his pocket. and he was ex'
ceedingly thirsty.
Shall get the balance Of my -four
weeks salary?" he inquired anxiously
"Yes, we'll see to that" the man.
ager promised, rising and making his
way toward one Of the men at the
desk.
Its about all we can do for you
though"
cant even give me weeks job
while look around. suppose?"
Bliss asked wistfully.
Cant be DONE" the other declared
"You weren't one Of our regulars. you
know. Leave your address. II things
20 right, well do what we can for
you"
So Bliss left the place, once more
one of the unemployed. He carried
his few belongings round to his old
lodgings, arranged with Mrs. Heath