Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-19
Too Much Efficiency
CHAPTER XXI, (continued).
Clarinp" he affirmed.
by j. E. Rath.

"How?"
H. Hedge told her. She watched the
blue and green flames during the
recital, and seemed to find sometime
4 amusing in them. She had to water
something: she did not dare venture
i glance at the face of H. Hedge.
at was very nice Of you to consent,
she assured him gravely, as ne con
cluded the matter
"Not at all he answered brusklv
ri had no objection whatever to the
end sought TO be attained. | opJecteo
only to the method
He took to pacing for while, max
ing quick trips back and forth across
the library. Presently she became
aware that he had stopped behind her
chair.
"Connie!"
She looked up suddenly. her ear
catching an unfamiliar note in his
voice. The salutation was unfamiliar,
too; he had never called her CONNIE
before.
He coughed as she met his glance,
and made another turn of the library.
Connie"
~ believe III file the reports she
said. dropping her book. Il forgot
them"
He stopped, stared suspiciously, and
resumed his walk.
"Ill file them in the morning ne
told her. "As was saying. Connie
There are two letters to write,
she reminded him.
"In the morning" he said irrltably.
"You know we never write letters IN
the evening"
Still he walked, while Constance
watched him. biting her lip and try
ing to keep the mirth out OF her eyes,
Now, Connie" -,
~ think, Mr.. Hedge. that you should
not walk so continuously on one part
of the rug 1t wears it out
y He frowned heavily, but shifted his
course.
Listen, Connie"
"And you should take longer steps. 1t
will save your shoes
He glared furiously and stopped in
his tracks.
'Do not interrupt" he commanded.
"This is an important matter, Con-
ME- in the last minute. waste OF
words, | understand perfectly who
you're talking to-"
She smiled now, somewhat derisive-
{ lY.mThe efficiency man rocked back
and, forth on his squarely planted feet
1 and scowled down at her.
r; Il want you to understand" he said,
II am not to be interrupted. This mat
ter concerns both OF us and must be
determined without delay. Now, Con-
ME"
A spark few out on the rug and he
stopped to brush 1t back on the
hearth.
''As a matter of fact, Connie
Zone moment, please. Why say, AS
4 matter of fact? II it we're not mat
ter Of fact. I'm very, sure you wouldn't
say IT., The pbrases,s nedflssal"s
superfuous."
He thought about. 1t for few
seconds.
"You are right: but let 1t pass
There is another matter to discuss
One OF my invariable rules"
And regulations
Rules" he snapped.
very welI-rules."
els to go directly to the point
Thereby saving time and distance
she remarked.
The EN- cheney man gazed at her in
despair Suddenly he held out his
hands appealingly, in manned quite
foreign to H. Hedge, E. E.
eConnie-will--''
She sprang to her feet with look
OF alarm and placed her finger on her
lips mysteriously.
watt" she whispered.
Gently she tiptoed across the H.
hrary, holding up warning hand for
silence. H. Hedge, rooted to his place,
watched her with growing amazement.
she paused at the doorway and listen
ed. Then she faced him with a won
derful smile.
I'VE forgot" she said softly.
Forgot what?"
ELEVEN o'clock-lights out"
At the same instant her finger
touched the contribution in the wall,
and as H. Hedge stood alone in the
darkness tinkling laugh came back
TO him from the staircase.
4 Some time later, as he made his
way slowly to his room, he muttered,
half aloud:
at is barely possible, OF course, that
there is some merit in the methods OF
Frank and Ruth. must consider the
0at4ay."