Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-29
sounds as if he was going to take a


They simply knew that invitations haf
gone out, for Horace mailed them
Who had been asked and who omitted
they did not know; the efficiency mar
had possession of the social list anc
had used his own judgment.
II hope he didn't forget to invite us,
observed Alice, so long as it's going tc
be in our house"
"He said it was our party" Con
stance observed, although We don't
seem to have anything to do with it.
Still don't want anything to do with
f; it, because he'll do what he pleases
anyhow. This is his last chance, so far
as am concerned. He stands or falls
on this party
Hes been falling for 50 long that it
doesn't seem to make any difference
whether he hits bottom or not" com
planned Alice. IF he fell million
miles he'd still be here, guess"
The Brooke children went for long
walk an hour before dinner They
found the efficiency man in evening
dress.
you'd better hurry up he satd,
glancing at his watch you'll have to
dress before dinner"
Before dinner" echoed Billy. isn't
there lots of time afterward?"
Dinner at seven; party at seven
thirty. Hurry
Constance felt that she, was going
down in a runaway express elevator.
you don't mean to say you have in
vited people here at seven-thiry?' she
demanded.
Certainly"
"Why. no party begins before nine
thirty at the very earliest"
This one does
why, it'll take three-quarters Of an
hour for my hair!''
Takes eight seconds for mine." re-
marked H. Hedge. -Four minutes and
forty seconds to shave. Six to dress,
and you don't have to shave No reason
why you can't be ready"
Constance fled. followed by her
brother and sister.
Shall we confer?" asked Billy GRIM
ly as they reached the second floor.
"Oh, what's the user cried Con-
stance with tragic gesture. I'D fly
out Of the window, if could! But
were in for it. We might have known
something awful would happen. We
ought to have been firm and refused to
have a party. But what can we do?
He's gone and invited lot of our
friends and we've simply got to receive
them. Hustle into your clothes. Alice.
Wear the pink. I'll let Matilda help
you: I'll manage without her. Move
now. Billy, and don't spend half an
hour with your tie. Remember that
We're all to be publicly executed at
seven-thirty."
In spite of these admontions the
three Brookes were late at dinner, and
after a hasty meal they retreated up
stairs again for further sartorial at
tentions 1t was long past seven-thirty
when Constance descended to the
main floor She was just in time to see
the front door close on couple In
evening dress. They we're going out!
Constance paused in the hall at the
foot of the staircase. She was radi-
ant figure, but she did not feel radiant
She felt that the elevator was drop
ping again.
A gurgling noise beside her caused
her to turn sharply, and she beheld a
young man with a handkerchief to his
face, shaken with a violent paroxysm
of coughing IT was Tommy Treadwell
"Hel-hello, C-Connie," he gasped. ~
-
He strangled again.
why. Tom, what in the world is the
demanded Constance in gen.
uine alarm.
"Ex-excuse me. L"
Once more a spasm took charge OF
him. and Constance began to pound
him energetically on the back. After a
minute Tommy Treadwell resained
measure of control and wiped his
streaming eyes.
Better now" asked Constance anx-
ously.
"Yes-thanks. Sorry to be such a
nuisance. but"
You shouldn't have though of COM
ing out with such cold" she chided
Gold? I haven't got cold"
Then what ever is the matter?'
Tommy pointed toward the library
and whispered hoarsely:
Been sprayed"
Sprayed"
''Uhhuh. Nose. throat, tonsils-the
whole works
Constance stared at him in unbeiief
Had my lungs tested and my heart
istened to. just like was joining the
army
Toni
Honest. And they put down my age,
Ind who was to be notified"
who did this thing?'
"The doctor. He's all dressed in
white, and he's got nurse with him
Ind a whole kit full of tools"
What doctor?"
Search me, Connie. But he's on the
oh. anyhow. got through. but he s
,een turning some of 'em down. Notice
hat couple who went out just as yon
.ame down."
Constance nodded family. She was
vas clutching the newell post for sup
tort.
THAT was F1orrie Richmond and her
,rother. Couldn't pass"
"Who-Florrie? What was the mat
err"
oh, Florrie got by all right. IT was
Clarence. He had spot on one tonsil
When they wouldn't let him stay, Flor +,
80 yot yo,d opd wont avav with him ~