Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-11

mind, Frances. You're undertaking
yourself. You are clever enough, you
have full return to give for your
wretched thirty shillings week,
or whatever it is, without smil-
ing at any employer in the world.
You're not asking favors-"
She sighed.
That's what tell myself, but II
you only saw the stream of girls out
side every Office where there is va
cancy-"
The lank young man, returning
from his tour OF the restaurant
paused in front of their table.
Have you got a job yet. Bliss? ?"
he inquired.
Bliss shook his head.
1--WE had one, but It's no good.
Chucked 1t this evening"
| The young man adopted more
confidential attitude. He stretched his
hands upon the table and leaned over
toward Bliss.
Look here,' he continued. "we'ro
fairly stuck for driver at the yard
The guv'nor has just hired out the old
Wolseley racer to young lady who's
paid cash down for it, and who's
standing there now, waiting to take
the thing away, and we haven't a
driver who can be spared. I've been
to all the pubs and two or three other
places, but can't ind soul except
Sam johnson, and he's drunk as q
lord. You take my tip and hurry
round, and I shouldn't wonder II you
got the job"
Bliss rose briskly to his feet, called
the waiter and paid the bill.
III am not back in a quarter of an
hour, Frances he said, you won't
mind going home alone will your"
She pressed his fingers.
! "Of course not Good luck to YOU"
Bliss found the same elaborate
young man standing in the garage Of
the Sun Motor company. BY his side
all that he could gather was that she
was tall. dressed in a brown tweed
ulster. motor-bonnet and very
thick veil. Words were passing be-
tween the two, and the young man
was apparently getting the worst of 1t.
i He looked up almost eagerly as
Bliss approached. The lady was OBJ
viously annoyed
what is the use Of showing me the
car and telling me that 1t will be
ready to leave the garage in five min
utes? You knowi1 can't drive 1t.
Find me chauffeur or give me back
my money. I can't stand about any
longer"
The manager stepped on one side.
Want a job" he asked Bliss
under his breath,
Bliss monosyllable was suficient.
The young man breathed sigh Of
relief.
Heres your driver" he an
nounced.
"And about time, too the lady de-
clared, wheeling round and facing
Bliss. "Is he used to the carr"
Certainly, madam" the young
man assured her. HE has had 1t out
often, and he is one of our most ex-
, pert drivers"
She climbed into the low seat and
leaned back.
Bring enough petrol with you for
two hundred miles," she ordered.
Bliss was little taken back.
Are we driving all night, madam ~
he asked.
I'VE may be-" his passenger re-
piled. II want to get to Newmarket
as fast as l can to start with, any
how"
Bliss saw some tins Of petrol hand
ed into the back of the car and
clambered to his seat. A mechanic
seized the starting handle.
stop" the young woman com.
manded. "Where's your overcoat,
chauffuer?"
II haven't one" Bliss explained.
Il wasn't expecting to drive tonight"
Find him an overcoat," she d.
rected, turning to the manager I'M
periously. "The idea OF letting your
men 60 out to be frozen to DEATH"
, The young man plunged into his
office and returned with a heavy
motorcoat which he handed to Bliss.
What are my orders exactly, sir?"
the latter inquired. II don't want to
make another mistake
"You are at the entire disposal OF
the young LADY, was the curt reply.
Same wages as last. The lady will
pay all expenses on the road"
You wish to go to Newmarket,
madam" Bliss asked as he slipped in
I
his clutch.
yes, yes" she replied impatiently.
They reached Newmarket at one
o'clock in the morning. Bliss slack
ened down with a sigh OF relief. 1t
had been long day for him. and the
car was not an easy one to drive,
This is Newmarket, madam he
announced.
60 on to Swaffham." che ordered
CURLY.
The night was gray-black, with
tangled masses of vaporous clouds
spread like net work across the low
ering sky. Every now and then dur
ing the last two hours drizzling rain
had fallen, and in places the road was
soft. Swaffham was thirty-two miles
further on, and Bliss was by no
! A. l.