Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-09-21


ferior person indeed compared with
the immaculate Cloves. motioned him
to seat and disappeared. In few
minutes he returned. Bliss was lean
+, ing back in carved oak chair which
ing one of his own prints.
The man regarded him with the air
, Of one inclined to resent this familiar
/ ity on the part OF a stranger.
"Mr. Darlington will see you," he
announced condescendingly. Come
this way"
Bliss followed his conductor meek
ly down the hall and into the room
which he himself had used as H.
brary. His friend Of the night before
was seated there In an easy-chair.
smoking. A box Of very excellent
cigars stood upon the table.
Bliss looked at them longingly, but
his anger against Cloves increased.
They were his own Partagas. 1894
crop, and irreplaceable.
Glad you're punctual' Mr..
Darlington observed. motioning the
servant to leave the room wait
just one moment, will your
He concluded the perusal of letter
which he held in his hand, and mean.
while Bliss glanced around him. He
had slept badly the night before on a
particularly hard mattress, with little
air in the room, and nothing but tin
sponge bath and scanty supply OF
water with which to perform his
additions.
A sudden wave Of longing seized
him; an almost indescribable desire
for those small Injuries which had
Bile part Of his life.
In the background was half
opened door. leading into the white
tiled bathroom with its sunk marble
bath. The sitting room was pleasant
ly warmed. The pictures which he
loved greeted him from the walls. His
favorite books seemed to lean from
the cases toward him.
It was one of his worst mornings.
this. His ready-made boots had been
wet and we're pinching his feet. His
carefully brushed clothes were dis
figured by grease stain which moth
ing would remove. He even felt some
slight return of that overtired feeling
which had first taken him. to the
physician.
His heart was weary for some OF
those old luxuries-the delicate food,
the choice wines, the tobacco The
longing for them seemed to have
swept in upon him with curious and
insistent vehemence, longing coup
led, too, with fit Of genuine indfgna.
ton.
Who was this man, living in his
rooms, smoking his cigars, enjoying
all the things OF which he was de.
prived? Where was Cloves?
Mr.. Darlington folded the letter
which he had been reading and placed
1t in his pocket. He was dressed in
shirt and trousers and dressing-gown
only, and the remains of his break.
fast were upon the table.
Nov" he began leaning back In
his chair, Il am ready TO talk to you.
So you are out Of place. eh!"
ri am. SIR" Bliss admitted.
What is your Nance"
Ernest Brown, SIR"
What else have you done besides
drive a carr"
Il have been light-porter." Bliss
replied, "green-grocer's assistant, and
traveller"
Good character"
Pretty fair"
Mr.. Darlington looked at his visitor
"Dou you know" he inquired, why
l told you to call and see me this
Bliss shook his head.
mot unless it was because you
thought I might take the place Of your
chauffeur until he was better The
cars very easy one to drive, and
could look after 1t quite WE'LL
THAT was only my excuse for get
ting you here" Mr.. Darlington con-
fessed. There is reason why. II
we could come to terms, you might be
much more useful to mo than any
other person in similar circumstances.
Puzzled, eh?"
Bliss acknowledged the fact. Mr..
smiled.
"sit down." he ordered condescend-
ingly.
Bliss sat down with becoming
upon the edge OF one Of his
own morocco chairs. Mr.. Darlington.
after a moments hesitation, pushed
the cigar-box toward him.
TRY one of these" he invited.
Finest tobacco ever smoked in my
life"
They ought to be- Bliss sighed.
looking a little ruefully at the half
empty box.
Mr.. Darlington stared at him.
Ought to be-"
81 mean" Bliss explained hastily,
that understand something about
cigars. These are 1894 crop-very !
little Of that tobacco left"
We'll, so long as I've offered you
one, am glad you can appreciate it."
Mr.. Darlington remarked. Nov |
listen to me attentively. I've sized
you up in my mind, and I'm very sci. |
dom wrong. You're a young fellow
who's Just bit too good for his job, |
but who hasn't had any luck. You
weren't born a worker. and l should /
think you would be glad enough to
make bit without overmuch manual
labor"
Il find driving car very hard !