Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-05-25
CHAPTER XIII, (continued).

Horace, as he set the tray on tne
billiard-table And here's the clothes
line, miss. I'll be back downstairs now
before he misses me-
"Oh, no, you won't said Constance
1--WE are not through with you. Horace.
You have to stay here and feed us.
The butler looked blank.
Now, we haven't time to explain all
the reasons for this" she continued
hurriedly. Were too hungry. You
simply do as I say and as quickly as
you can. To begin with. you grab hold
of Billy, overpower him, and put him in
that chair
Horace shrank back. terrified and
shocked
"Why, Miss Brooke
Hurry! He won't hurt you. Why, he'll
only be child in your hands. Won't
you, Billy"
Sure" said Billy with grin. He
was nearly foot taller than the but
Ter
Grab him. Horace"
Horace advanced gingerly and plac.
ed a gentle hand on Billy's arm.
.'Resist, Billy commanded Con-
stance.
Billy made a feeble motion with his
little finger and sighed.
Push him into the chair Con.
stance was giving her orders like
general.
Billy backed toward the chair so
rapidly that Horace could hardly keep
pace with him.
Nov, Billy protest."
Il protest. whispered Billy.
HNNu, ,,Cn ond nrotocf A1ira
Ready"
saw, hurry up" complained Billy.
"1'm dead"
I'VE must observe certain rules"
said Constance firmly. Now. ALce!"
The two Brooke girls raised their
hands dramatically and chorused:
I'VE protest.
Horace scratched his head and re-
gardede them uncertainty. He feared
that absence of breakfast had sap
ped their reason.
Nov, Horace. you say to US: Stand
hack! am an officer of the law.
Horace coughed and stammered.
Say it,"
Stand back. am an officer of the
law he mumbled in fiat voice.
Good. Now We stand back. We are
afraid of you and dare not interfere.
Now, you tie Billy in the chair with
the clothes-line. Be sure to tie it
around his arms"
As though he were committing sac
rilege, Horace picked up the clothes
line and passed it once around Billy's
body. He was preparing to make fur
Their loops about his victim when Billy
interrupted him.
"Hey! That1l do. I'm tied hard and
fast. Can't move muscle
The butler stepped back and viewed
his ruthless work.
Now feed him." commanded Con-
'a2Ance.
.Yes. feed me-" echoed Billy. Push
a chicken sandwich into my mouth, II
you dare-you coward"
Horace was a good servant. He I'M
derstoood not in the least the mean
ing of it all but he recognized an or
der when he heard one. From the glor-
GUS trayful he selected one of Mary's
sandwich masterpieces and advanced
upon the helpless prisoner. napkin in
hand. Billy opened his mouth wide
One eye winked triumphantly at his
sisters. who stood mute and envious
awaiting their hour of torture. The
sandwich was not six inches from
Billy's lips, when
"All very interesting said cool
voice from tn edoorway. "but complete
ly against the rules"
The sandwich fell from Horaces
trembling hand and was wrecked upon
the floor
Horace" said the efficiency man,
you will Immediately take that tray of
food downstairs. You deserve dis
charge for this violation of orders, but
because of your long service in the
family | will overlook this one in
stance. 1t will, however, be noted upon
you record, counting as twenty de-
merits"
The three Brookes was speeches.,
as Horace picked up the tray and went
hurriedly from the room. They stared
at the food as long as it was in sight.
and after that at II. Hedge.
If any of you are ILL he said, II
shall send for physician If he de-
cides that 1t is necessary for you to go
to bed, you will go to bed. If he pre-
scribes food for you under those con-
ditions, you may have it and eat it.
il you wish. But under no other cir
cumstances will food be served. except
in the dining-room and then only at
regular meal hours 1t is now two-thir-
ty O'Clock and lunch has been over for
an hour. The next meal is at seven
o'clock. Thank you for your attention
The efficiency man was gone as
silently as he came
For short minute nobody spoke
Then it was Billy who, after tossing
aside his bonds. stood up and declar-
cd:
For once in my life I'm fit to commit
murder. Confound it all, could eat
Hedge. Why did you go through all
that rigmarole. Connie? Id have had
one sandwich, anyhow, if you hadn't
been so particular"
Il was trying to save the family
honor she said miserably "Oh, dear"
Alice was almost on the verge of
tears.
I'll wish I'd never thought of a
hunger strike.'' she stormed. Did
lid you ever see such beautiful food in
,,our life?"