Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-03
Too Much Efficiency
by j. E. Rath.

Father"
well, am Don't you make any
mistake about that. young woman. En-
gagged, I'll fix that. I'll fix him. too
And I'll fix his company I'll hold EN-
civilly and criminally responsible"
You can bust the whole corpora
ton, SO far as I'm concerned" said
Hedge. I'm through with It,
And what do you do for living
now, sir?"
"Nothing-just yet
Got any money!"
Not much"
The head OF the Brooke household
was again threatened with apoplexy.
And you expect to marry my daugh.
ter! Get out Of this room. Connie;
I'm going to swear
Good advice, Connie" said H.
Hedge. You run away for a little
while"
She looked doubtfully at her father
and chung to Hedges arm.
But, E. E. she asked anxiously,
what are you going to do?"
I'm going to stay and have chat
with father. We've got to get acquaint.
eu SOI1e lluuc.
Constance reached up and kissed
her young man.
Father" she said sternly, Il hold
you personally responsible for any
thing that happens to him"
Saying which, she left the pair to-
gether, 1t was with trepidation that
she heard the door closed behind her
as she went out into the hall. Con.
stance was in no mood to return to
the party.
She was too apprehensive about
what might happen to H. Hedge. She
crept off to her room and huddled in
q chair, listening fearfully for sounds
Of combat.
Alice came in search OF her sister
half an hour later.
What in the world has happened?"
she demanded. And where Is e. f.. :?
We've been looking all over for you.
Been quarrel?'
Father is here!" announced Con-
stance tragically. -.
Here? Holy Moses, Where is her
"ln his rooms-with E. E.
'What-what did he say"
"You know father. What's the use of
asking?"
Whats he going to do?"
That's what e. e. is trying to find
out"
Hes with him."
Constance nodded uneasfly.
Alice took turn about the room.
trying to readjust herself to the new
situation. Finally she patted Con-
stance on the shoulder
Don't you worry about E. E.. Con-,
ME. He isn't as heavy as father, but
he's more scientific"
Having delivered this consolation.
Alice returned to the party down.
stairs. -g
Another half-hour elapsed before
Constance was awakened form her
reverie by the appearance Of
her father, closely followed by H.
Hedge. Neither of them had black
eye.
Connie" demanded John w.
Brooke, ARE you resolved to marry
this man."
"Yes. father"
IF forbid you to do so?"
Eyes. daddy dear"
Mr.. Brooke drew deep breath and
looked at H. Hedge.
Doesn't it beat the, band how stub.
born some people are?" he said. "And
she's not twenty-one yet
He bit off the end OF cigar and
'unbled in his pockets for match.
Il blame you very largely for this
Connie he said in stern voice. I've
been hearing about what happened in
his house, 1t seemed that you three
did all you could to upset the
plans | made for you
ooh they We're all right" interpos.
ID H. Hedge hastily.
Don't interrupt me. sir. know as
much about it as you do. OF course,
vas a fool to think ii could be done.
But at the very least I didn't expect
ny own flesh and blood to rise up
against me. It's unified. I'm disappoint-
ed-aggrieved-up You've gotten
ne and your self in hole-but I'm
he one that has to pull you all out.
You say you've announced this engage
men; down-stairs?"
Constance nodded.
And still you wonder why the
1eathen rage. You go and announce it
)eIOTe L ever set eyes Oh nlIH. wen.
what does it mean? I'll tell you; it
simply means you've got to through
With it-that's ALL"
"Father-dear!" cried Constance
"Keey away from me; I'm not1
through with it. When Brooke makes
/ promise. it goes. It runs in the fam
ly. wouldn't let you get out of the
'crape If you wanted to. There: that's
settled.
Now. here's the next thing. What
Ire you going to live on? This man
lere shows how much sense he has by
throwing up his job at the same time
le assumes a financial burden. Yes.
you are a financial burden. Connie,
ought TO know, hadn't /?
He thinks he knows the same
hing; but. believe me, he hasn't be-
gun TO learn. So it amounts to the fact
hat my daughter is signed up to mar
~ man out OF work. Well. there's
some pride in this family. can't stand
or that So what do ! have 70 do?
Why? I've got to find him job"
"He--he could find one himself"
said Constance proudly.
Hang it all, that's what he did" ex-
DlodaG Mr. ProOke "It ceamc flor