Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-12

ION my own account. I'm wiling 10
let things stall along. The old man II
be back before a great while, and |
guess maybe can stand 1t till them
H. Hedge nodded Understandings.
But I'm talking on Comics account
now
"Oh."
Billy paused and studied the eff.
ficiency man through slightly narrow
ed eyes, He was unaccustomed to
much serious speech, and the effort
was plainly embarrassing to him. Yet
he kept. resolutely on.
"You treated Connie in a way that
was shameful. 1t makes me sick when
think that stood for it. And Alice,
too: but I'm talking about >Connie
now"
Sure. Go on
And Comics the finest girl in the
whole world" blurted Billy, leaning
forward in his chair.
H. Hedge made a sign of assent.
But you don't treat her that way
any more!"
Billy punctuated the indictment with
an uplifted finger The efficiency man
regarded him gravely.A
"Now-this Is what I'm getting at
why don't you treat her that way any
more?'
Because" answered H. Hedge ito
quote your own remark, she's the nm
est girl in the whole world"
"Ah--I thought So"
Billy settled back in his chair with
the air of lawyer who has just per-
formed an expert Of taxtdermy a wit
ness The Efficiency man preserved his
calm.
Yes, thought So" repeated Billy,
wagging his head. That's the reason
you've been letting her have whatever
she wants, I've been watching you,
Hedge. Now, listen; don't care any
thing about that part of it. Anything
Connie can get she's entitled to.
"She isn't getting half enough. any
how. And whether l get anything or
not doesn't make any difference. Or
Alice either. But you don't want to get
any fool notions In your head about
my sister. Understand?'
II don't have fool notions" observ-
ed H. Hedge placidly.
well, you just admitted that you
thought she was the finest girl in the
world"
rs that fool notion" y
Billy, flushed. -
"Oh. well; you know I don't mean
it that way. I'm not always very good
at expressing myself OF course it's not
fool notion-but what business have
you got to have it?"
'I~never looked as 1t from that
standpoint" admitted the efficiency
man in judicial Tone Let's debate
It,"
mo. we won't. You don't get me
tied up into anything like that. Just
see here: even if you were friendly
with the family, you're not in Comics
class"
Hum" remarked H. Hedge with
the slightest trace Of flush in his
face. THAT sounds trife snobbish
Are you a snob. Brooke?"
Billy shuffled his feet and frowned
Il didn't mean it exactly that way,
either he said. a don't intend to be
a snob--I'm not But what I'm trying
to get at is, Comics used to going
with different kind of a crowd-not
your kind at all So 1t won't do you
any good to get foolish over her.
That's what mean"
I'm not foolish over her"
you can't bluff know
ooh. all right, il you know"
And don't want you to annoy
her"
H. Hedge betrayed sincere surprise
81 wasn't aware that had" he said.
did she say so?''
mo. of course not. Girls don't talk
about those things But anybody can
see"
Il get you. Tell me some more"
We'll, that's about all. I'm Just Civ
ing you warning. Hedge"
Good of you. Brooke. What do you
want me to do-bark at herr"
"No!"
Billy almost shouted It.
II just want you to elave her alone.
that's all. Keep away from her"
well. we're both living In the same
house and eating at the same table So
that will be somewhat difficult," OBJ
served the efficiency man.
"She's in here all the time. work
ing" growled Billy
Cdu lOlSe IiCI W WI n IL DIG C.
fuses"
Maybe she is-but she hasn't any
use for you. Hedge"
The efficiency man pondATed the OBJ
servation in colmness.
That's quite possible" he said
cheerfully. But il your sister wants to
keep up her secretarial work. l can't
prevent it. Rather. don't intend to.
It's excellent traing for her"
Billy remained silent for minute
wrestling with his soul
Look here. Hedge he exclaimed
suddenly az somebody has to do this
work, I'll do 1t myself-anything to
keep Connie from being bothered"
We'll. Brooke, that sounds fair
enough. But there's this about 1t: at
present your sisters work is salts
factory. and I'm not justified in dis
charging her without cause. II 1t be.
comes unsatisfactory, I'll fire her.
Then the job is yours. Or II she
chooses to resign, it's yours, too. You
can't expect any more than that
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