Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-28
THE CURIOUS QUEST
of MR.. ERNEST BLISS
APTER XII--(Continued.)
BY E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEiM
Copyright. The Frank A Munsey Co.

CHATTER Ali COntlnueQ.)
"A varied, but no doubt interesting
career" Mr. Fancourt admitted
There is. however, to my way OF
thinking" he added. flicking the ash
from the end of his cigarette, "a GER
tain sameness about all these occupa
tons"
II can assure you" Bliss began
do not misunderstood me-" Mr.
Fancourt interrupted. Il mean a
samepess in one respect only. They
were all of them unsuitable for a man
In your position. They We're all, pre-.
sumo, in the nature of honest toll.
What propose to you isn't
Bliss stared at him. Mr., Fancourt
had the air of a kindly man who is
Just trifie bored by having to enter
into tedious explanations.
IF Mr.. Johnson" he continued,
you adhere to the very delightful!
standards of life advocated by what is
known as the respectable part of the
community, am afraid that you and
/ will find very little in common, and
that my assistance would be valueless
to you. IT, on the other hand, you
recognize the only real philosophy Of
life, the philosophy that teaches us
that, in accordance with the laws Of
nature, the strong man must take
from the weak, the clever must strip
the fool; that the man with brains and
wit has a right to what he can take
from those less amply equipped; If, as
say, Mr.. Johnson, you can bring your
self into line with this modern train of
thought, then it is possible that you
have reached the end of your
troubles"
Bliss, for the life of him, could
think of nothing to say. The mans
splendid reasonableness was unassail-
able.
III might venture to point this
out without hurting your feelings, my
young friend" Mr.. Fancourt went on.
might I suggest to you that, in this
eternal warfare, you. up to now. have
been on the side Of the sheep? Let me
propose to you that, having served
your apprenticeship in one camp, you
come over to the other? Permit me to
offer you another cigarette"
Bliss helped himself silently. HeH
was feeling the curious fascination of
being addressed once more as an
equal by man whose personal charm
of maner was undeniable.
+ ~ was once" Mr.. Fancourt con-
tinued, almost in your position. I
am now able to live in a civilized man
ner, to afford myself the Injuries of
life which, to men of our class and
INFRINGING, are practically necessities
The people who contribute toward my
support are the sheep"
And how" Bliss inquired, IFS the
heecing done?"
Mr.. F'ancourt smiled ever SO slightly.
my young friend he said, to-day
we are what one might call laying
foundation stones The whole scheme
of my profession, which in its way is,
think, unique, is thing which you
will only be able to grasp month by
month, perhaps year by year. The
Immediate question is how to make
use of you"
cts up to you to point the finger"
Bliss remarked cheerfully. I'm on
for pretty nearly anthing."
Just so," Mr.. Fancourt murmured.
AT the same time, you can under.
stand that your admission into the lit
tie circle of-shall / say, my disciples
must naturally be an affair conduct
ed by degrees. We have to place you,
hrst Of all, upon-er-probation Now
tell me. are there any Of the ordinary
pleasure haunts Of London which you
feel you could frequent without en-
barrassment?"
Bliss ruminated for a moment.
II would particularly recommend, il
possible" Mr.. Fancourt suggested
gently. ''the promenades at the popu-
lar music-halls"
"Quite all right for me-" Bliss de-
olared.
Mr.. Fancourt smiled.
"You were, perceive" he re-
marked in touch with the modern |
idea prevalent among young men Of
fashion"
Bliss nodded.
Rotten form to be seen In the |
Promenade OF any of these places" he
admitted.
Exactly" Mr.. Fancourt agreed
Nov as you are doubtless aware, it
Is In these places that the sheep are
gathered together. 1t is the young men
from the provinces we want Their
white waistcoats are appalling, and
their ties uncertain, but their money Is
good. They are usually attracted, too,
by the real article as the moth by
candle. One Of my little enterprises"
Mr.. Fancourt continued, leaning back
In his chair, lis mixed bridge club.
It opens at ten o'clock and provides
q little harmless diversion for these
young men who are on the lookout to
see life"
LET u.s." Bliss suggested "cut the
cackle."
Mr.. Fancourt nodded affably. He
was scrfbbling a line or two on
sheet Of paper by his side
well. what would YOU like to do?"
Bliss asked Would you like to 60 to
a mixed bridge club and see some
beautiful ladies play bridge?" We
can have drink there at any rate,
even II you don't play cards.
Rather" the young man declared
I've heard of those
places"
TOO easy" Bliss sighed under his
breath.
The bridge club was surprise even
TO Bliss. A highly respectable com
cd o.v, I, 4 /