Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-10-16


|once,' she implored. "but tell me. is
this car yours?"
"No-it's ours" Bliss replied.
"Now listen to me, dear. It's time
you knew the truth. Twelve months
ago l was feeling out of sorts. was
rich, lazy and selfish. 1 was sitting
up too late at night, eating too much,
drinking too much, smoking too much,
with nothing to occupy my thoughts
or my mind but my own pleasure. My
nerves gave out.
81 went to see that man whom we
have just left. wasn't the sort OF
patient he cared for. He told me just
about as brutally as he could, exactly
what he thought of me and my man
ner of life, and he practically showed
me the door. When I held out my
hand to say good morning. he refused
to shake hands.
HE wouldn't prescribe for me-
The only advice he would give me was
to go out and earn my own living for
twelve months. He added that he be-
lieved me incapable Of such an effort.
Il lost my temper ] bet him that
for twelve months I would earn my
own living, without touching a penny
of my own money except f1ve-pound
note.
/ That twelve months is up today,
and have won my bet. The bet was
twenty-five thousand pounds for his
hospital, against shake of the hand
and an apology. And you saw him,
Frances? He paid. He paid like
man"
"And you?" she faltered. "All the
| time you were rich? You could have
paid the twenty-five thousand pounds?
IF ever touched my own money,
had to be careful that no benefit came
to me. saw that nothing but capital
could save Mr.. Masters, SO got 1t and
pushed his cooking stoves, but after
that had to leave him. I saved that
heel manufacturer, but directly had
advanced the money had to go.
"You were my most severe problem.
was dying to save you from distress
and suffering and on the other hand
had one great ambition and that was
to win you as poor man, to have you
marry me knowing nothing, and then
to try and make life as much like a
fairy story as could
She began to cry softly.
Don't take any notice of me for a
few moments" she begged. Life has
been so hard lately, and I was begin
ming to lose even hope"
Presently they drew up at Arleton
Court. The porter received Bliss with
a glance of establishment at his attire,
but with marked Difference. They
mounted to the fourth floor Bliss
touched the bell.
A very subdued Cloves opened the
door. !. Mr.. Crawley was waiting in the
hall.
Here we are. Here we are at
last" he exclaimed, holding out his
hand with an air of immense relief.
MY dear Bliss, am delighted to see
you. have obeyed all your instruc-
lions to the letter and have asked no
questions. May be introduced?'
This is Mr.. Crawley, Frances
Bliss said. my lawyer and very good
friend. I've driven him nearly mad
during the last twelve months, but
think that he will forgive me when
he knows all about it,"
"A very remarkable young man.
your husband, my dear Mrs. Bliss.
Mr.. Crawley declared, as he shook
hands ri must confess that at times
his exploits during the last year have
caused me some anxiety. With one
of them, however. l am now thor.
oughly disposed to sympathize." Il
Frances still little shy. gave him
her hand with very sweet smile.
They passed on into the dining
room. where the cloth was laid for
lunch. Mr.. Crawley rang the bell.
MRS. Crawley.' he said has en-
gagged a maid for your wife, and the
suite has been got ready as well as
possible. This way"
iro ho oo1t;ppadA