Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-14
CHAPTER Xxx.
Mr.. Bliss PLAYS Snv.

ing.
A man to whom, even in those few
moments of half dazed awakening, he
took an instructive dislike, was stand.
Ing by the side of the car. He was
clean-shaven, with round face, small
eyes, bull-necked; and notwithstand.
the lateness Of the hour he was still
wearing riding clothes. His whole
appearance was curiously reminiscent
Of the race-course.
In his hand he held large tumbler,
filled with whiskey and soda.
wake up, young fellow he en-
joined you'll get rheumatism sleep,
Ing there a damp morning like this"
For me?" Bliss asked stretching
out his hand toward the glass.
whisky and Soda" the man re.
piled "You look as though you could
do with it."
Bliss took a long drink, then he sat
up in his seat.
What about my young lady?''
"Going to spend the night here
the man said. "She sent you this
tn man added. producing sovereign,
"and you're to 60 on to Crawley-
that's ten miles as straight as you
can driye-and put up there at the
Bulls head"
"And what then?''
She'll come on tomorrow after
noon Her brother will drive her in.
most likely"
.Does her brother live here?" Bliss
inquired
"He does" the other replied, al
though I don't know what business it
Is of yours
Bliss rose in his place and stretched
himself. Then he descended, turned
the handle of the car and reseated
himself. His fingers were upon the
change gear, his foot on the clutch.
It had not occurred to him to doubt
the authenticity of his instructions.
Then, just about as he was to start
OFF, he happened to glance toward>his
companion to wish him good night
and new and most disturbing
thought flashed into his mind.
The mans expression was astound-
Ing The narrow eyes seemed to have
drawn closer together. His parted
lips, disclosing two rows of yellow, i'll
shaped teeth, gave him the appearance
Of a criminal gloating over some an
ticipated success.
Bliss thoroughly awake now, sat
for moment in his seat hesitatingly.
Finally he thrust in his clutch.
Good night he said
Good night" the other replied
Don't forget-the Bulls Head at
Crawley."
Bliss travelled for mile along the
level road. Then he turned back and
rs silently as possible returned to his
original position. :L y
He. extinguished the lights, and
descending, made his way to the gate,
opened 1t softly, and taking care to
keep on the grass border, cautiously
approached the house, which appear
ID to be about fifty yards away-a low
unpretentious building with a long
Tine Of outhouses in the rear which at
6rst sight puzzled him.
There was single light burning in
One Of the downstairs windows, and
toward this he made his way. AS he
drew nearer he could see the shadows
Of three persons.
The window was uncurtained and
unshuttered. The house itself, he was
beginning to realize, had deserted,
almost forsaken appearance.
He crossed weed-gfown drive and
stepped upon an empty flower-bed, and
peered into the room. q
The young lady was there. standing
In the middle of the hearth-rug, with
one hand resting upon the chimney
piece. The man who had brought him
the whisky and soda was listening to
what she was saying, with scowl
upon his unpleasant face.
Lounging in an easy-chair little
further away was younger and
darker man. Notwithstanding his
dissipated appearance and weak
mouth. Bliss recognized at once his
likeness to. the girl whom he had
brought down.
The young man raised his head and
began to speak
Bliss found, to his surprise, that
every word was audible. He looked
up and discovered that the window
was open at the top.
what l should like to know is
what you are doing here, anyhow,
Kate the former exclaimed peevish.
ly. "You leave me with scarcely a
word OF excuse, with any sufficient
reason"
stop the girl interrupted. 81 had
every reason. I left you because l
dislike your partner, Sam BROMLEY.
There need be no concealment about
1t. Our father trained horses here
and made name for himself. That
name, Jack, you might have kept, and
could have, II you had been content
to run straight"
"And who says I'm not running
straight" the young man demanded.
II say So" the girl replied boldly.
n say that II you had meant to run
straight, you never would have taken
. partner like that"
She turned her back upon the other
man In contemptuous disregard for his
voluble and profane remonstrances
Her brother sprang to his feet.
Look here, Kate" he exposulated,
''I am sorry you and BROMLEY don't |
hit it; it's my business, and
Brownley's the man have chosen to !
help me in it. Now, will you kindly |
explain what the dickens you mean
by coming down here In the middle OF |
the night? Cut 1t short and tell us
uhof WI, u,opf oryhnuv