Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-06-08
CHAPTER, XVIII, (continued).

CHAPTER, XVIII, (continued).
The defendant did not quail under
the accusation. but regarded her
brother with unfathomable calm.
"Yes-you quit, while We go on fight
ing" said Alice relentlessly.
Anything else?'
isn't that enough
IL didn't want to overlook anything
while you were at it." advised Con-
stance meekly. 1--WE may as we'll get
if all over with at one sitting"
81 guess you know what We mean, y
grumbled Billy. THE whole business
Is. that you've deserted our side and
gone over to him.
Eyes, and you let him go walking
with you this afternoon supplement
ed Alice. Connie, he acts as If he was
getting mushy over you!
"And you act as if you didn't care,
was Billys final contribution.
Constance arose from her chair and
took a turn about the room. her hands
clasped behind her, her head bowed in
reflection. Once smile fitted across
her face. Billy and Alice watched her
gloomily 1t did not seem that she had
been properly impressed with crawl
ty Of her disloyalty. Presently she faced
them and shook her head sadly.
"You poor, stupid things" she said
"What?"
II said stupid-both Of you. It's evil
dent you are hopeless"
Billy CAPPED and Alice frowned.
"You say I'm gutter" observed
Constance after a pause "Why, you
are the quitters!"
The members of the court-martial
stiRened In their chairs and stared at
the defendant
eyes, CUTTERS" she continued merci-
lessly. All you've done for days and
days il to sulk around. And you
don't call sulking fighting, do you? You
haven't put up fight for two weeks.
I'm doing 1t ALT"
Alice and Billy looked at each
other. overcome with bewilderment.
Now, see here" said Constance,
drawing them, ~ see that I've got to
explain this thing to you in words Of
one syllable, 80 that you can under
stand. You both did certain amount
Of fighting, and where did 1t land YOU!
Nowhere. You. Billy, were going to
throw this man out Of the house. I
didn't see you do 1t. I only heard you
Give him I'VE minutes more. and that
was 1T least month ago, II not more
About all you've done since then Is to
make a loud noise"
Alice nodded, forgetting that she
was a member of the court.
AS for you, Alice" added Con-
stance, turning upon her, what have
you done? All I can recall Is that you
invented hunger strike and made us
all sign a perfectly ridiculous paper.
Did we get anything by threatening to
starve ourselves? Nothing but an ap-
petite"
1t was Billys turn to assent.
.So..e continued the defendant, AT
ter we have all made threats and pro-
tests and complaints, you two finally
give up and leave it all to me-"
did you call trying to run away
with Tommy Treadwell part Of! the
fight?' demanded Billy.
Absolutely. was going to marry
him on your acount!'
ION our account" chorused the
amazed court.
Exactly. Tommy was going to fur
nish home for all of US. and I was
coming back to take you away from
here"
Billy and Alice were dazed at the
revelation.
But that's all OF now" remarked
tie Junior member Of the court finally.
All off," agreed Constance. '1 shall
never marry Tommy now. ! might
have, II you had showed the least
symptoms OF keeping up the fight; but
I am losing my sympathy for you
"Well. what in blazes are you do.
ing?" demanded Billy.
"rghting,' answered Constance.
"Surrsnderins. you mean"
NO, my dears; only seeming to-
Constance leaned back in her chair
and surveyed the pair snilingly. She
wanted to give the announcement time
TO sink IN.
And think have already taken the
Ant line Of trenches she added
DlAcSdly.
Il sive It up" he said. What's the
answcrf'
"The wiles Of womanl"
Constance INDUCED In another
pause, for tho purpose OF emphasis.
Then she arose and started pacing
again, and as she paced she talked.
~Oh, can't you see It? Must ex-
plain everything with diagram? So
you thought I had surrendered, did
you? Why, I've just started the big
sest night Of all! And It's going to be a
winner! You thought was beginning
TO like Mr.. Hedge, did you? Well. per
haps that's a compliment. must be
doing 1t even better than I thought.
And you think he's getting mushy
over me? Why, I'm winning already.
Like him!" she cried "Why, you
poor dears, I detest him! Yes;
more than ever before. And before I
get through with him he's going to be
the saddest looking efficiency man
that ever ran household with two
foot rule"
."Ok, gee!" murmured Alice fervent,
", overwhelmed at the disclosure.
"They say it's wicked to hate, but