Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-11
CHAPTER XVIII.
Mr.. Montague Enjoys His Dinner.

Mr.. Montague ENJOYS his OIhheI.
At half past two on the following
Sunday afternoon Bliss. according to
orders picked up Mr.. Montague at
Princes Restaurant Mr.. Montague,
hayink escaped with difficulty from
the reproaches of the two ladies with
whom he appeared to have been
lunching, settled himself in the corner
Of the car.
He had a large cigar in the corner
OF his mouth, tissue paper parcel IN
his hand, and a smile of anticipation,
which Bliss hated, upon his face.
"Drive, he directed, to the corner
Of Wellington street and the Strand
They found Frances waiting there.
Az they drove off again Bliss heard
Mr.. Montague's somewhat shocked re-
monstrances.
But my dear girl. Have you no
better clothes than these-the clothes
you come to the Office in every day."
I'm sorry, but just at present
haven't" Frances confessed. "You
see l was out of post for little
while. II you think | am not smart
enough to go out with you
"Hush hush" Mr.. Montague inter.
Yupted. mot word of that, my dear
Only we must see. Something must
be done about it, A nice tailor gown,
eh?-something Of that sort. Mean
while, some flowers?'
He unwrapped the parcel he was
earrying and disclosed a vision OF
wired roses and maidenhair fern.
Then he drew down the front Of the
glass and Bliss heard no more. The
car was four-cylinder Napier, fairly
old. but, as rule, trustworthy.
Nevertheless, when they were forty
- Atty miles from London, Bliss be-
gan TO have difficulties. Four times
be made readjustments before he hit
upon the real trouble-a defect in the
wiring. They were then at a small
inn in the heart of the New Forest
and 1t was past seven o'clock.
Just as he had, at last, set things to
rights. Mr.. Montague came strolling
out from the bar with freshly-lit
cigarette in his mouth.
"Ho* are things looking now.
Bliss?" he inquired.
"The trouble is over sir Bliss as
sured him. 81 have just found out a
defect in the wiring and repaired it..
She'll 70 like anything now. Get you
back to town in couple of hours
Mr.. Montague did not seem as
elated as he should have been. He
glanced around and drew Bliss little
way out into the deserted street.
Look here. young man. do you
want to earn a sovereign"
Bliss face expressed, or was meant
to express, immense rapture. A SOW.
nroio,6 An unhGard of sum
Mr. Montague nodded.
tits a very large present" he con-
tinued with sigh. land very easily
earned. want you not to be able to
start the car again
Bliss looked for moment as he felt
puzzled.
Mr.. Montague winked solemnly.
1.-THE nearest station" he explained
dropping his voice into hoarse whis-
per. "is three miles away, and the last
train goes in half an hour. There
isn't a car to be hired in the village.
Go on with your work or seem to be
going on with it fora mother hour. Then
come in and tell me that you are very
sorry you can't start off again without
a snare part. which you'll have to wire
to London for.
Then Bliss understood He looked
away from Mr. Montague onto the
ground. He was shivering Just little,
fighting hard for self-control.
Mr.. Montague drew gold coin
from his sovereign purse.
ITS the easiest earned money he
went on, you were ever offered.
Just attend carefully to what | say.
. In about an hour come in and knock
{ the door Of the sitting room and