Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-26
Too Much Efficiency
by j. E. Rath,

|
| absolutely none" he agreed.
ITS impossible to give any good
reason.
] Impossible"
And yet-well, it's done"
! That's the only explainable part OF
tits done. Nobody knows how; not
even u.s."
/ "Yet we've got to tell them, Of
course
You bet we have! I'm going to tell
everybody, before you change your
, mind"
mo fear. E. E." she said gravely.
| II told you E. E. was dead-extinct.'
Nevertheless. I'm afraid I'll always
! call you that-or H. Hedge. I'm so
used to it. Do you suppose father will
consent?'
What's he got to say about it," de-
,, manded the ex-efficiency man. Il con-
sent. and that's enough. I'm your
guardian, you know. ! give my official
sanction.
But you're too late. my dear. You
resigned. And this-this happened al.
' terward."
Then re:nstate myself long
enough to express my approval
mo you DON'T" warned Constance.
"E. E.. if you reinstate yourself for
as much as a solitary second I'll break
the engagement. don't want to know
any more efficiency men. Heavens!
Wasn't one bad enough"
Il guess was awful" he admitted.
"Well. part of the time" she said
judicially. You see. if admit yon
were awful all the time never can
forgive myself for what I've done.
must have some justification. f. e.
They were sitting side by side on
the big desk. swinging their feet and
watching the glowing ashes OF eff
cheney, with H. Hedges armc clasp
ing her shoulders. when an amazed ex-
clamation startled them.
"What-in-blazes," said voice.
AS they turned abruptly, Billy
Brooke strobe into the room.
Hello, Bill" said Hedge easily.
when did you float in?"
"Wba-what's this?"
Constance smiled at her brother and
linked an arm around one OF H.
Hedges.
Connie" cried Billy.
why, what's wrong Bill?' asked
the retired efficiency engineer. Didn't
you ever see anything like this?'
And he kissed Constance.
Leave my sister alone!' growled
Billy menacingly. and this time he
plainly meant It,
Il don't went him to-" said Con-
stance. "And don't you lay finger on
him. Billy boy. because he will break
you into little pieces. He can-can't
you. E. E?"
Her eyes kindled with pride at mem
cries of the proves of H. Hedge.
Billy Brooke was stunned. He gaped
at the pair and shook his head slowly,
in complete bewilderment.
Comics going to marry me-" an
nonuced H. Hedge. grinning You're
almost my brother-in-law. Bill"
is this true. Connie?"
Constance nodded and laughed
"You mean to tell me you're going
to marry that--that-that crazy nut?"
"BUt he's not crazy. Billy dear. Are
you, E. E? He isn't an efficiency man
any more. He resigned. And the eff
cheney is all in the FIRE. and the time
clock Is smashed. and all the rules are
abolished. So you mustn't call him
nut. becauseTwell, because hes
NINE
Were disgraced," moaned Billy.
See here. William Brooke said his
sister sternly. Never let me hear you
say that again. We're not disgraced.
He's the finest. dearest
Let up-please." begged H. Hedge.
81 WON'T declared Constance.
whatever ! say you are. AS for vow,
Billy. I want you 10 shake hands with
him and congratulate him"
Billy glared.
Billy. do as say" she command
ed why. it's an Insult not to. Don't
you think enough of your sister 10 con-
graduate the man who gets her?'
But Connie-after everything that's
happen ed-after all he's done?'
Constance SET her lips firmly and
slid down from tho table.
"E. F. she said. You promised TO
do anything ever asked. didn't you?'
Il did"
Very we'll Then beat him up"
And Constance pointed at her
brother
n. Hedge laughed and advanced
toward Billy with an extended hand
shake. Bill" he said. I'm O. X.
even # you don't believe it yet. Connie
SAYS | am, and she's always right. In,
going 10 prove it to all of you-today."
Billy Brooke found himself studying
singularly winning smile. quite diff
ferent from anv he had ever before
observed on the face of H. Hedge. Hes.
itatingly he thrust out his hand.
And now kiss me and wish me hap
piness. ordered Constance.
Billy did, still bewildered.
'Does-does Alice know this?" he
asked anxiously
shes not home from school yet
It'll be an awful shock to her"
TT is to all of u.s. said Constance
cheerfully. That's one of the nice
parts of it, love to be shocked. You're
going to be shocked worse than Alice.
Tell him what you're going to do. e,
E. For answer, II. Hedge fumbled
among the few remaining papers on
the desk and discovered the check
book.
When did cut off your allowance,
Bill?" he asked