Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
Too Much Efficiency
by j. E. Rath.

I'VE didn't say you were a traitor,
mumh'ed Billy.
We'll, you said ! was quittter and
a deserter. It's all the same. And right
at time when was fighting hardest
of ALL"
I'VE didn't understand" explained
Billy.
Then why didn't you ask me. in
stead of getting together and accusing
me?" demanded Constance, pursuing
her advantage.
That's what you should have done,
Billy" said Alice.
The look that he gave his younger
sister was too amazed and reproach.
full to be accompanied by words.
"Oh, don't throw 1t all on Billy"
flashed Constance scornfully. "You be.
haved as badly as he did, Alice.
Neither one OF you trusted me. I'm
ashamed Of you BOTH
The indignation of Constance had
reached the virtuous point, and she
had no intention of allowing 1t to re.
cede.
"We're-we're sorry muttered
Alice.
Important campaigns are not con.
cluded In a day, or week. observed
Constance with much wisdom. Look
how long they've been at 1t at Verdun.
This compaign is only In the first
stage. The beginning is where ! make
H. Hedge thoroughly believe that
sympathize and am willing to cooper
ate. Then. when I get him In that
mood, begin to take what I want. He
is at my mercy. Don't you see? That's
the time that begin to twist him.
Constance finished the sentence by
holding up a little finger and wiggling
1t, while she regarded 1t speculatively.
Splendid" said Alice. Splendid"
Already she could see the limp form
of the efficiency man wrapped around
Constance's pink digit Billy was less
enthusiastic.
when he's at your mercy" he ask
ed, do We get some of the rake-off!
"Of course. I'm not as selfish as you
think, Billy"
And do get my allowance?'
1T you don't, I'll tell you what I'll
do" declared Constance. "Ill pay it
myself. after father gets home"
II can't live that long"
Baby! You're getting along without
1t now. If you want to get it tomorrow
all you have to do is to go to work.
Billy shook his head. His idea Of de-
flying the efficiency man was not to
work, no matter If the heavens fell up
on the Brooke mansion
We'll said Alice thoughtfully. I'm
fnr VIM H0urto ;ttc
idea. But isn't 1t terribly hard to be
nice to him?"
Constance did not answer immedi.
ately. The question was rather sudden
and came from an unexpected angle.
She had not considered that exact
phase Of the situation. AS she reflect.
ed upon 1t, she was not wholly GER
tain that the splendid campaign upon
which she had embarked involved, all
the renunciation and selfeffacenient
that naturally belonged to It, The bat
tie at times went as peacefully as
dress parade. She was not always con-
scious OF suffering and wounds. Life
in the trenches sometimes had pang.
less hours, rather to her own surprise.
It's very hard" she answered.
II suppose you expect US to help
said Billy.
81 haven't the least concern whether
you do or not, my dear. I shall win, in
either event."
Are we invited TO see the grand
you step on his neck?"
yes; I'll invite you to that-if
here's time. OF course, it may come
But when he finds out what you've
been doing How about it them
"Then it II be too late-for him."
declared Constance firmly when I
pull the string e E. is going to dance,
he likes 1t or not. And that's
he time the Brooke family gets what
s coming to it,
How about father. when he gets
back? Didn't he put this guy up to all
.his?"
Leave father to me. He's the
easiest OF all"
Billy spent minutes in thought. He
vas somewhat Jealous of the single
handed fight. yet he did not see how to
obtain a participation. Employing
wiles against H. Hedge was something
cut OF OF his line. unless wiles were
represented by baseball-bat or a
well. it's no affair Of mine" he said
1t last. you went into this thing with
tut consulting u.s. and it's your look
,ut.'
"Of course Constance assured him.
But take care II you don't win"
But she will VIM" exclaimed Alice
"All I want you to do" concluded
Constance, rs to let me handle this
hing. And don't on my account blurt
'ut something that will give him an
mixing of what is going on If he sus.
,ects, the whole thing will fail"
Rely on US said her sister We'll
lever tell"
CHAPTER XIX.