Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-07-24
CHAPTER I.
To Win a Hand-Shake.

ton, and languidly rang the bell of a
large house in Harley street, which
was the professional residence of Sir
James Aldroyd, M. D.
He was admitted almost at once by
q solemn.visaged butler, and was es-
corted into the waiting-room in which
three other people were already seat
ed. He turned to the servant with
frown.
II wrote to Sir James for an appoint
ment at eleven o'clock" he said. my
name is Bliss-Mr Ernest Bliss.
Please let Sir James know am here"
II am sorry, sir, but Sir James sees
his patients strictly in the order OF
their arrival" the man replied regret
fully. 81 don't think that he will be
very long this morning"
do you mean that I have to wait
my turn"
II am afraid there is no other way
of seeing Sir James.
Bliss seated himself disconsolately
IN an easy chair and resigned himself
to wait with an i'll grace, which ne
took no particular pains to conceal. he
was 4 very spoiled young man and ne
was inclined to resent this treatment
from q physician whom he was propos'
Ing to honor by his patronage.
Each time tho butler entered the
room he half rose expecting to hear
his name called-and each time he was
disappointed. 1t was not until his turn
arrived that ne was shown into tho
presence Of the physician.
Sir James Aldroyd was seated be-
fore the writing table, making IN a
diary some notes concerning the pa
tent who had just left him. Bliss
crossed tho room and without waiting
DOR an invitation, sank into the chair
which he rightly conceived to be the
resting place Of the doctors patients:
my name is Bliss" he began. i
wrote you"
wait Just moment, please" the
physician interrupted brlskly.
Bliss stared at him with his mouth
still open. He was not In the habit or
SWING way to his emotions, but he was
beginning to be conscious OF distinct
sense Of annoyance.
He made no protest, however; the
physicians personality was, in his way
overpower.ng. He sat still and waited.
Presently Sir James finished writing
In his diary and drew an open letter
toward him. He glanced 1t through
without any marked indication OF IN
teyest. His patients symptoms appar-
emily failed to move him.
"Mr. Ernest Bliss" ne remarked.
swinging round on his chair and taking
nm. a stethscope. "You wish me to ex-
anime YOU? Stand up and take on
~
Bliss obeyed at once and submitted
himself to the usual routine. Ten min
utes later he sank into his chair With
rufYled hair and general sense OF hav.
inx been subjected to many personal
ienom,nies. He slowly buttoned up his
vaistcoat and watched the physicians
face.
Which m
what made you come to me" the
later asked.
cant say exactly" was the listless
reply. "Felt out Of sorts and thought
had better see some one. heard
Dicky Sem talking about you one day.
Are you abiding to Mr.. Richard
Sem OF the shaftesbury theater"
"Chap who does the ragtime dance
n the second act" the young man as
scented. HE was cracking you up all
over tho shop. Said you were the only
doctor In England who combined Ger
tain amount OF skill in his profession
Nth a reasonable leaven OF common
ssnae. Not trying to butter you up, you
knov. but these were Dicky's own
words and Dcky knows things.
AJ1~oud 1oid down his
stethescope and leaning back IN MS
char, looked steadfastly at his visitor
His hard. clean-cut face, with ITS
massive forehead and strenuous lips,
was not in any way an expressive one,
but 1t was obvious that he was regard
ing his new patient with certain
amount Of disfavor. His eyes were
cold and critical, his tone distant.
Lot me see, what did you say your
name, was!' he asked.
ernest Bliss"
How old are your"
"Twenty.five."
'what is your profession"
"Profession? I haven't one"
"Your occupation, then" the physi-
clan continued impatiently You do
something. I suppose!'
bliss shook his head and glanced to-
vard his questioner. as though doubt
ful concerning the effect OF his next
words. nor
oNo necessity" he replied. MY
father was Bliss the ship owner He
left me three-quarters Of million.
Since then my uncle has left me best
part of another million"
Sir James played with his pencil for
4 moment and looked down at the
table. AS matter Of self-discipline
he was anxious to keep certain ex-
preston from his face.
80 you do nothing because you are
wealthy" he remarked What are
your tastes? Are you sportsman"
~ don't know whether can exactly
call myself that" the young man re-
piled. az have done the usual grind OF
course. have eight thousand acres OF
shooting in Norfolk and grouse moor
IN Scotland Then went out to Abys- |
sinia last year with some fellows after
big game. I've a hunting box at Mel
ton Mowbray. Can't say I'm very keen
about it,