Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-12
THE CURIOUS QUEST
Of MR.. ERNEST BLISS
xxx-(Continued.)
by E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
Copyright, The Frank A. Munsey Co.


CHAPTER XXX.-(Continued)
They sat in the place for nearly two
hours. Then Bliss suddenly glanced
1t the clock.
walk down with me to the yard,
he begged. II have to take out my
bus in q quarter of an hour 800,
She sat for q moment quite sthl
Then she burst into a peal OF laughter
"Take your bus out!" she repeated
ooh, you strange, strange boy! Yes
Bliss paid his bill. When they got
out side he took her arm. She made
no effort, to withdraw it. On the con
trary. she drew closer to him.
.Dear," he said, there are some
things I cannot explain to you YOU
think I'm a fool, oyersanguine, an
idiot because where you see a cui-de
sac / see before us freedom and happi
ness. want you to trust me-
She sighed.
"You've spoken like this before
dear. II you have hopes OF which you
have told me nothing, then you ought
to share them with me. l don't ike
mystery. This is the end OF it, Ernest
/ do love you, but there's no hope iol
Gus. and I can't 60 through what I've
been going through any longer.
wore spectacles at my last place, and
AID NV hair-oh, what a mess ! made
al I'll" she laughed. "My employer
tonoliy asked me II the spectaclss were
SaooesaIy. and then instructed me Ia
remove them. That was the day ne
asked me to 20 out to lunch for tnf
Baird time.
4 "Nave one more try" Bliss begged
Durely you can find 2 place "ns s,s
lrou would not be subjected to This
Ibpt q thing"
! syind 1t for me- she CHALLENGED
isTve tried everywhere. A woman
who earns her own living puts hei
bride In her pocket. She is supposed
int 70 understand what men mean
sMhep thay make the stereotyped 40
Mancss. have tried. ! cant stand
III that's all I'll hate 1t all my life;
hut "a sooner 30 through little cere
noay With M. Masters and call my
sse0 his wife. and provide TOR my sis
)4sra and then-rest. That's what
want 70 do more than anything in tn'
:'You shan have plenty Of rest
Bliss promised confidently. but not
with MI. Masters. Listen. These
1 aYent Idle words Of mine. Trust me
and I swear that before six weeks have
! passed. I shall be In position tc
marry you and help your sisters"
sshow me ono atom of proof" she
inplorsd him.
II can't he confessed Trust
~.
She shook her head.
TITS always the same, Ernest. II
YOU had friends or future, would yoi
have dYifted almost to starvation al
thsse weeks, and then jumped at ths
chance Of drivineA buSS
n can't explain he said doggedly
Then can't wattH she retorted
why should ~
"Becauss l love you" he answered
simply; "because there IL no other
future for you except to be my wife
Don't you understand that we belong
to each other7 You wouldn't dare te
DO what you suggest. 1t wouldn't be
honest 10 Mr.. Masters"
Y an tired Of thinking about other
people, she declared.
They were walking more slowly
now. They were within few yards
Of thu great omnibus yard.
sDsaF," he pleaded. trust me a
littie longer. The time 10 20 short now,
Don't ruin both our Mves!"
me made little grimace. There
Were two big tears In her eyes.
n knew how 1t would be-" she
tighod, II went out with you at all. .
You promise she answered. I'll
hsvo another try!"
CHAPTER XXN.
Practical Sympathy.
u W1S nearly six weeks later when
Dliss. VINO had been promoted to the
PlooaAilly route. was suddenly hailed
from the pavement. A tall. exceed
Mgly well dressed young man had
dropped his monocle and was flourish
ing lis cane.
Hie!" he exclaimed. "Ile there!''
Bliss brought the bus to stand
stf1i. Honerton regarded him from
- pavement In blank amazement.
Hello, Bliss!" he shouted.
I'VE 20 to Hammersmith and
.Baxnss," Bliss said politely. did
smderstand you to hail the bus?"
well, I'm daahed!" was Homer
IN y uI0t COocI eut SxCIhhdtlOu.
"Come for 4 ride with me-" Bliss
begged. 'It won't cost you more thar
t0uYpeRce all the way, and you'll gel
lots Of excitement for your money
How arc things7''
"A motor bus drtver!" Honertor
gasped.
"A healthy, not to say sporting
Occupation" Bliss assured him. "Jumr
up behind IL you're coming along
Can't keD my bus standing here all
day
Thy were badly blocked at Hyde
Hsft corner, and Honerton suddenly
appeared on the footboard. BY this
time he had collected himself
Ernest, old chap he said. "Ive
besn looking for you everywhere"
SIS that so?"
Honerton coughed. He seemed 6
little i'll at ease.
when can l see you for few
minutes under more reasonable cir
cumstances?" he asked glancing with
horror ut an oil stain upon his glove.
''Well, haven't much time afte,