Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-08-24
THE CURIOUS QUEST
of MR.. ERNEST BLISS
Mott declared, breathing heavily. az
BY E. PHILLIPS OPPENHEIM
Copyright, The Frank A. Munsey Co.

rank A Munsey Co.
Mott declared, breathing heavily. III
lOnce starts on YOU
Yer can save yer BREATH Mr.
Mott interrupted. I'm back ere and
I'm goin' to stay even if it is your Bit
To- money as runs the business, and
even if you does do most of the work
The laws Of this country recognize that
it's the man that's master, so let's 'eal
no more O yer rubbish. And as to that
|young man." he went on slowly, i'm
and nell ave little chat"
Mrs. Mott stepped between them
Her suppressed wrath broke bounds
at last. With her arms akimbo, and
her feet firmly planted upon the
ground, she commenced to justify &C
tually and magnificently her reputa.
ton. Mr. Mott, dazed by the flow OF
words remained doggedly still.
Bliss slipped quietly out by the back
door. In the yard and even in the
llongings, he could still hear the voice
of his late employer, ever rising in a
shriller and more triumphant cres-
cendo.
But when at last she emerged,
flushed with the joy of transient
victory, and looked around for Bliss
he had disappeared With his little
bundle under his arm, fortified by a
very good breakfast, with very little
money indeed in his pocket, but filled
with vague sense Of relief, he was
trudging cheerfully along toward the
nearest labor bureau.
Get out of the way stupid! Can't
you see I'm wanted in the 'front.'"
Bliss, with rope in one hand, fiat
tened himself against a wall Of canvas
scenery while Miss Masie Linden,
after an angry glance ut him, tripped
on to the stage to take none too en-
, thusiastic recall.
She came off, If possible, in worse
temper than ever, and stood talking
for several moments to a gentleman in
dress clothes and with a silk hat on
the back of his head, who was loiter-
ing in the wings With sinking heart
Bliss noticed that she pointed him out.
When the curtain fell the person in
authority crossed the stage and beck
oned to him.
How long have you been on here?"
he asked CURLY.
Pm on for weeks trial at half
pay, sir" was the reply.
you incident turn up tomorrow
the manager said shortly "You can
get what's owing to you at my ONCE"
Bliss turned away little YEARLY.
1t was a fortnight since he had taken
his abrupt leave of Mrs. Mott, and
this was the first regular job that had
come in his way
Somehow or other, he had been un-
able to feel any disappointment what
ever at the strange termination of his
career as assistant in the green-gro-
GERS establishment in Crunmo street
He had welcomed Mr.. Motifs inoppor-
tune return, in fact, with something
very like relief. and as soon as he had
deposited his things with Mrs Heath,
who had welcomed him back cordially
he had sailed cheerfully out in search
Of another situation
Day by day. however, the luck had
been against him. He had earned
few shillings, but not nearly enough
to pay Mrs. Heath's modest bill. Only
yesterday he had seen the notice
stage Hands Wanted" posted out.
side the Frivolity Theater, and had
taken his place in line Of applicants.
For once his luck had seemed to be
in. He was the last man engaged, and
the twenty-five shillings he was offer.
ed seemed almost wealth And now,
on the first night, this tragedy! Dis
Even In the midst Of his despair,
however, the irony of the situation
brought grim smile to his lips. 1t
was only few months since it had
given Miss Masie Linden great pleas
ure to be one of his guests # the
Savoy. He could even recall her i'm
pressive looks and whispered asides,
her obvious efforts to please him.
He remembered, too, how much he |
had admired her that night. THE |
sweetest little thing in London" some |
one had declared enthusiastically. 1t ,
was quite different young woman
who had just vented her spite upon
Bliss made his way with a heavy
heart to the back OF the stage to be
'eady for the resumption of his work.
On the way he passed three or four
'orng ladies' of the chorus, one Of
whom looked at him curiously.
He recognized her at once. She
vas young lady who, although her
lramatic aspirations were limited, :,
vas very well known in Bohemian
london.
The recognition was obviously
mutual. She detached herself from
he others and came over to his side.
why it's Ernie" she exclaimed
It's Ernie Bliss"
He glanced around, frowning. Z
Don't give me away" he begged
uickly. IL
But what are you doing here?"
he demanded. What does 1t mean"
Il was scene-shifter here until
hree minutes ago." he told her. 1--WE
lSt got the sack Mias Majcio lin