Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-03-13

phone receiver as the bell rang sharp
jly Hello" he called.
Hello, Jacket" came his sisters
voice. "Are you in very good hui
NOR today?"
He knew what was coming, 80 he
was prepared. Not very he answer
"Oh, pshaw! Well, anyway, I'm 60
Ing to take a chance. This is Satur-
day and ! know you are not going to
be in the office"
"Well?"
Get tickets for the matinee, won't
your"
81 had planned to go fishing"
81 just thought so, that's why I'm
heading you off. Now be clever, Jack,
and say yes. It's the best show for
the season"
Jack knew II and began to soften.
II don't know, sis. I'll see"
That's the spirit, big brother. You'll
thank me some day for saving your
life It's too cold to fish. You'll get
pneumonia. And jackie" she paus-
ed
What is it,"
Get three"
Three what?"
Tickets"
He smelled mouse "Why?'
Flo Van Buren's here
He exploded. 81 thought there was
a niger in the wood pile!"
John Newton!"
well. you get me into corner and
get around your Foxy CUTLER bust
ness. Why didn't you say so in the
first place I'm willing enough to take
you but balk at an extra skirt. Why
can't you take care Of your own
frienhs?'
SHE was accustomed to-his roaring.
"Ail right, Jackie. Well be at your
Office at 2. And do be in an amiable
mood. Flo is dying to meet you. She
saw your picture on my dresser, in
which, dear brother, you look like a
combination of Croesus and Apollo and
are wearing a mysterious expression
that drives all the girls crazy trying
TO guess the secret of your life. Live
up to it. John"
Give up to -" he answered, but she
had hung up hastily.
"I'm not going to spoil perfectly
good Saturday afternoon trying to en-
a
get the tickets and leave them here,
but I'm going fishing"
Which he did.
He went home after lunch. changed
his clothes for all the old things he
could find in the attic. rubber boots
and all. found his fishing things IN
the cellar and went out the back way
across lots, down the road and across
country to the river. No one saw him
except Susan, the second maid, who.
looking out Of her own window, saw
him leave the yard.
"If those tramps don't stay away
from this place" she said, I'm going
to ask Mr.. Newton to get a dog.
wonder if the kitchen door is locked"
In the meantime Claire and her
guest went to Jacks Office promptly
at q On the table was a note with
two tickets enclosed. Sorry not to
be with you but was called out Of
town on business. Have good time.
Jack"
THE BEAST" cried Claire.
Never mind" laughed her guest
"In the story the beast vanishes only
to reappear handsome prince"
Don't worry. He's afraid to put in
an appearance of any kind after this.
Well. we'll go to the theater, anyway.
by ourselves. No use letting this spoil
the afternoon. l guess we'd better
hurry What time Is it?"
Flo pulled back her cuff to look at
her watch. "Why, lit isn't here!
haven't got it: it's gone!"
"Florence."
Eyes. sir, I've lost it! And dad gave
1t to me when graduated"
Claire looked her distress "Oh,
soonest one I've ever seen. Maybe you
don't put 1t on
Flo thought minute. "Yes-I did
I remember. But l may have taken
1t off downstairs to put ON my gloves
and then forgotten 1t. believe that's
what l did. It's on the living room
table Can't we telephone?'
But Claire was already calling up
the house rs that you, Susan? Will
you look on the reading table in the
living room and see If Miss Van Bur
en- left her watch there! Look all
around everywhere. I'll wait!"
In five minutes Susan returned
mo, Miss Claire. don't see it. l was
lust thinkin'. saw a tramp leave
the house while ago and I'll bet he
stole it."
Claire screamed. What's wrong"
cried Flo.
Its gone-stolen! Susan says a
tramp took it. I'm going to call up
the police" Which she did.
Jack Newton, sitting peacefully by
bridge and putting at his pipe, heard
the clatter of hoofs. Looking up he
saw three black uniformed gentlemen
in black helmets riding his way and
evidently interested in him.
Brown hat turned down. old gray
onasnnAAAe----.-----..- 49,