Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-26

guess you're all right.
The two Brookes and H. Hedge were
Laughing uproariously over reminis
cence OF economy and efficiency, when
the third Brooke made her appear
ance Alice paused and surveyed the
group from the threshold. Then, toss
ing her books into chair, she advanc'
ed upon the trio.
Hello, Billy" she said" and kissed
| him.
Hello, Connie-you fraud and
kissed her
"And hello, H. Hedge-congratula'
tons"
And she kissed him"
"Alice!'
It was the amazed voice Of Con.
stance that spoke.
POOH" said Alice blandly. y knew
] It was going to happen all the time.
! Anybody who wasn't blind could see
it."
Alice. You couldn't have seen it
nobody could"
Couldn't /. though? I've been ex-
pecting to see you fall on each others
necks at breakfast for the past two
weeks
But you never said word! And
you kept talking about him just like
the rest a u.s." protested Constance.
~ didn't want to spoil it." said Alice
wisely.
And you freely forgive me every
thing?" asked H. Hedge in wonder
ment
"To tell you the truth" said Alice
with fine simplicity and frankness, Il
was never very mad at you after the
morning you read the declaration. You
gave yourself away then. H. Hedge.
But Just for the sake of revenge
She seized his thick hair in both
hands, took a firm grip, and shook his
head until he howled.
There. We're quits" she exclaim-
ed. Now 60 on with your spooning.'
And she raced from the room. 49,
"Dou you really think she knew
asked Constance in an awed voice.
You can tell
"You never can tell" observed Billy
thoughtfully. She's wise little guy,
but she doesn't always let on
She's strong little, guy" affirmed
H. Hedge ruefully, rubbing his head.
you'll have to protect me from that
child. Connie"
She's a dear" said Constance. and
I'm beginning to think she knew more
about It than any Of us. after ALL"
Horace entered the room. carrying
trayful of mail When he had locat.
ed the exact spot where H. Hedge sat,
he faced it, drew himself up with q
military air, and covered the interval
! by the shortest possible route and
with the fewest number Of steps. With
single movement Of the arm, he
presented the mail
H Hedge took it from the tray. bit
ing his lip to conceal smile. Horace
wheeled about, clicked his heels to-
gether. and started back over the same
I, route. He was halted by the voice OF
the ex-eficiency man before he had
reached the door.
Take a couple Of turns around the
table, Horace commanded H. Hedge
Horace stared.
Go ahead-just for luck"
Very solemnly. Horace walked twice
around the table.
after this. walk any old way you
please, Horace II catch you doing
this Observation-Disclosures etween-two
points stuff any more. you and Will
roll around the floor some. And tell
! 'em all downstairs to get busy and
wear out their shoes. II don't see
isome varnish kicked of the floors
thereIl be row. And, while 7 think OF
it, have Giovanni sweep up the time
clock and throw 1t into the ashbarrel.'
Very good. SIR said Horace calm
ily.
But when he reached the hall he
leaned against the staircase while ne
recovered his breath.
And now to get ready for the big
riot" said H. Hedge.
| Constance and Billy looked at his
expectantly.
"A party-the real thing-no hos
pital corps!" he exclaimed.
When"
| Tonight"
For Just u.s." asked Constance.
Just u.s. should say not just
everybody-that's ALL"
1T can't be done, e. F. There isn't
time
! AN the time in the world" he at
frmed
Put there are so many who will have
eneageme nts and
: Let em break their engagements
, Tell EN- there's big surprise com
ing. Make it mysterious: that IL fetch
EN-
But. E. E.. don't you see that moth
F.! ing is ready? The servants won't have
| time 10 prepare things. and"
! Who? Our servants? Child alive
our servants are not going to work al
our party. They're going to have
public party of their own. This Is a
public holiday in the Brooke mansion.
| Constance looked at H. Hedge sus
ipiciously.
Are you getting efficient again?'
! she demanded.
! y keep forgetting" he laughed. But
say, Connie dear. If you'll Just let me
be efficient for few hours. I'll knocb
off after that for the rest OF my life
Just give me this one chance. It's the
l.et 1fxorca',