Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-01

breath he presently achieved it. The
grip shot past them, rounded turn,
and landed noisily on the floor Of the
basement hall.
"You servants are tremendously
careless growled H. Hedge as he set
tied Constance back on her feet.
I'm not servant" she snapped, in.
stantly regretting the disclosure.
He twisted his head to peer into her
face. Their eyes were not six inches
apart in the half light.
TITS Constance!" he exclaimed.
Never had the efficiency man called
her that before.
yes, it's 7"
"You might have had bad fall" he
chided. THE front stairs are better
lighted"
81 choose the back ones" she retort-
ed.
You're unusually early this morn
ing"
Possibly"
H. Hedge seemed willing to prolong
the conversation.
Its not eight yet" he remarked.
Il know it."
Didn't you drop something"
"Of course"
"I'll go down and get it for you" But
he made no move.
Don't bother I'll get it."
But insist"
No.
He paused and considered.
ITS nice morning" he observed
irrelevantly.
Il believe So"
Going for walk?'
"Yes-no!"
Why not say perhaps'-you get the
same idea compressed into one word"
Constance was becoming anxious.
she knew that Tommy Treadwell and
his blue roadster were waiting below
in the courtyard
Let me CO." she exclaimed.
Up to that point she had been too
bewildered to notice that there had
been no change in their positions since
II. Hedge interrupted her headlons
plunge.
mo until you let me 60" answered
the efficiency man. "And then may
be-"
With little cry of dismay she olsen
gagged her arms from his neck.
Let me CO." she repeated.
Temporarily or permanently" he
asked with great deliberation.
"B-both."
H. Hedge shook his head sadly.
81 never could do two things at
once" he said. TITS unscientific to
try"
"Please-please!"
"In that case. temporarily" he de-
clared as he reluctantly withdrew the
arm that held her close.
-Constance's cheeks were fiery: she
prayed that the gloom of the back
stairs rendered all colors neutral.
Thank you-for catching me-" she
said coldly. as she passed him.
Thank you-for falling" he remark
ed happily, as he watched her finish
the descent of the staircase
For nearly a minute he stood there,
gazing downward. He had seen Con-
stance retrieve her grip and then
hastily make her way toward the back
door, He heard it close behind her H.
Hedge was puzzled.
Out in the courtyard stood a road
ster, the engine idling wheezily. Tom
ny Treadwell was standing beside it.
1ervously tapping on fender His
eyes lighted with happiness as he
sighted the furred figure Of Constance
and he sprang forward to assist with
he grip.
You dear old brick" he cried
'. =
She said it cordially enough. yet
that tender enthusiasm which
ought to mark the salutation of a !
)ride-tobe. Constance was furried /,
md preoccupied. Her mind was on the
Affair of the staircase-and H. Hedge |
Why did he poster her SO? And yet, il
lie hadn't ben there Well. IL he !
hadn't been there, she wouldn't have
iropped the grip
Tommy had seized the grip and |,
'wung 1t up on the baggage carrier |
n the rear, where he began an adjust.
nent Of the straps. Meantime Con.
tance stepped in and settled herself |
lervously in one Of the bucket seats.
The efficiency man arrived in the !
courtyard while Tommy was still
working at the grip. AS Constance |
lighter him. she observed with sink.
ne heart that he was clothed in one
# his ominous Gains.
Good morning" he said, as he walk.
d across the open space.
Constance paled slightly and did not
nswer Tommy Treadwell fumbled flu
iously at strap and said nothing
Hedge reached the side of the car.
eaned over. pressed of the ignition.
he engine stopped.
You let that car alone" called
'ommy angrily.
"All right: ! will" said the efficiency
ian. stepping back 3 pace and eying
Constance.
Tommy finished with the grip and
anne around to the side OF the car.
"Well?" asked Hedge.
'Well?' echoed Tommy.
What's the idea?'
The clippers exchanged swift
iances and Tommy became en-
oldened.
,fY1 Give WIN, anr cot;cfon