Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-15

| ficiency man sharply. ut is waste OF
! time, waste of energy. It is an at
tempt to accomplish something by
indication rather than by direction. |
do not approve Of it, 1t is unscientific."
! Ruth was peering at the efficiency
man through her fingers.
Frank" said H. Hedge, do you
still want to marry this young
woman?"
"Uh-huh.'
"All right. Ask her"
Frank was dumb again.
Say, 'Will you marry me" That's
the shortest FORM
Still the chauffeur hesitated. Ruth
had removed her hands from her face
and was regarding him with curious
eyes. Unconsciously, perhaps, the pair
edged toward each other.
Go ahead and say it!"commanded
H. Hedge sternly.
But still Frank said nothing. One Of
his hands CROPPED helplessly along the
edge Of the table. An instant later ii
met one of Ruths cropping in the op.
posite direction. And then
Ruth was smothered in clumsy but
wholly effcient embrace. She put her
blond head against Franks coat and
began to cry. Then Frank began to
whisper to her and Ruth whispered
back. BY and by she lifted her head
and slipped her arms around his neck.
Then they began to kiss each other
The efficiency man stood staring.
but they paid not the slightest atten-
ton to him. He endured full minute
of Of it, and then cleared his throat.
We'll, what does this mean?' he de-
manded.
Ruth suddenly came out Of her
dream and twisted her head in the d..
rection of H. Hedge.
1T means we're going to get mar
Red" she said defiantly.
The efficiency man shook his head
in annoyance.
1T Is most ridiculous perform
ance," he remarked. "You have vast
ed probably ten minutes over a matter
that could have been easily concluded
in ten seconds. Frank. do you also IN
terpret this rigmarole as an engage
ment to marry?''
"Uh-huh." answered Frank. as he
kissed Ruth again.
Very well. give my consent"
They gazed upon the efficiency man
with undisguised establishment
Il did the consenting!' hared
Ruth.
THAT will d." said H. Hedge, rails
ing warning hand. "As the head Of
this house. DO the consenting. Frank.
inasmuch as you are going to be mar
ried, you will need job. Therefore
reinstate you"
Ruth beamed at the efficiency man
and kissed Frank.
And now. when do you want to be
married-today?"
Frank startled and Ruth uttered
cry Then she hid her face against
Franks coat.
"We-want to be engaged while"
she said in a muffled voice.
More nonsence.' snapped H. Hedge
with a look Of annoyance. However,
have no further time to waste with
you'll have at least accomplished an
engagement. When you want to be
married, let me know. And no more
kissing during hours, understand. I
will prepare q notice for the bulletin
In the servants quarters. Send
Horace for 1t in five minutes"
He wheeled and marched out OF the
dining-room by the shortest possible
route, leaving Frank and Ruth reso-
lutely clinging to each other.
y am beginning to realize for the
himself as he reached his desk. ITO
what an appalling extent inehl cheney
and archaic methods have invaded our
whole social structure. This affair Is
at once shocking and illuminating.
Getting engaged! Bah! Why in
Heavens name two apparently sane
people spend such an amount Of time
and energy in concluding the simplest
form Of contract in the whole world Is
beyond my comprehension. said 1t
could be handled in ten seconds; In
reality FIVE would be amply sum cient.
Here Ia a case for Standardization II
ever one was"
He began writing on sheet Of
paper.
II suppose. however" he unused.
that Ruth was entirely justified in
endeavoring to escape, not having the
least idea OF Franks intentions. 1t Is
we'll that arrived and pointed the
way to solution
Presently Horace entered. and the
eficiency man handed him paper, to
be duly posted. 1t said:
Frank and Ruth to marry. Approx
ed (Signed) H. Hedge.
Horace glanced at the bulletin and
coughed deferentially.
They're wanting 10 keep 1t a secret,
sir" he ventured.
"A secret?" echoed the efficiency
man. FOR how long?''
81 couldn't say. sir But you know
how 1t is with girls. SIR. They just sort
of like to Oh, you know, sir"
1T is evident that I'm beginning to
find out OF course 1t is absurd. A
secret For what good reason? It's
nonsense. shall probably order them
married next week. However. do as
you please with the notice"
H. Hedge dismissed the butler with
an impatient wave of his hand. Horace
bowed his way out and. having reach
ed the hall, carefully folded the paper
and tucked 1t into his pocket. Horace.
being OF mature years and benevolent
AVA IL L..