Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-02-27
her knocking had reused any one.


was an odd thing to do.
In the full light of the moon l saw
that she was very pretty girl, with
very red lips in pale face and large
velVety eyes. fancied that they look
ed at me in rather mocking way.
We walked along to the corner and
I turned down Carisbrooke Street with
her.
| Then she stopped and said: "Zere
ees no need for you to COON with me"
Il don't think that your uncle would
like you to be walking about alone at
this hour; and since he is my tenant,
he would think 1t only proper that |
should see you home. or at any rate
you into cab," I said.
l meant to hear the address she gave
the cabman
that | meant to come. Perhaps l was
| ing obstinate.
"Veree well" she said, struggling her
shoulders. But zere ees no need My
motor car ees waiting FOR me at re
end Of re street,
| We went on; and half way down the
street / said: You're expecting your
uncle to return soon?'
Il do not know" she said
well, I hope he'll wash his windows
when he does come,' said.
Wash -hees - windows?" she said
and she stared at me with her eyes
wide open.
Eyes; the windows of his house.
They are disgrace to the Gardens
Do you think that you could have them
washed?"
"Deesgraceful? - Me? Oh, but you
Engleesh - you are fonny," she said
and laughed.
1t was a charming laugh; but could
not see anything funny about the win.
dows Of the eyesore. They were dis.
gushing.
Sure enough, at the bottom of the
street. big motor car was standing
against the curb. opened the door OF
it for her and she stepped into it.
Good night" she said.
Good night said L: and the car
started off at smart pace
Of course there was no taxi in sight. /
II there had been. I should certainly !
have taken the liberty of seeing where !
the car went.
The car went round the corner and ,
| turned back. | wished I had asked |
her to inform me Immediately of her
uncle's return, that might have start.
ed on him at once about the disgrace.
ful appearance of the outside Of his
house.
! came home wondering about her.
Certainly she did not seem the kind of
person to feel anxious about. She was
not one Of the criminal class, of that {
/ was quite sure. I looked about for
her for day or two; but saw nothing
OF her. She did not come again to seek
her uncle at any time when I was in u
the Gardens. Neither did Senior vi.
cent? return, nor were any preparations
made for his return, nor were the win.
dows washed
1t was four or 1--WE days later that
coming home one night met BrookesA
at the corner Of Carisbrooke street. 4
stopped and asked him If he had seen
any more suspicious characters linger. /
ing about Number Is.
well, not lingering. m'Lord. But 7
last night seed or thought seed, two i
men and woman come down the 4
steps of it. But couldn't be sure. i
was right the other side of the Gardens
and they hooked 1t off down Carts /.
brooke street an was out of sight long
before could get around"
ITS all very odd." said. And then
again. 1t mayn't be anything at all.
Just friends or business people anxi. [,
ous to see. Senior Vicenti''
I wished him good night and went =,
IN home. just had time to mix myself i
4 lemon squash and was drinking it,
Up in the library, where drinks and :
biscuits are always set for me in case
come home late and am hungry or
thirsty, when heard a loud knocking {
1t one Of the front doors near. went
,ut on the balcony and found that it (,
zane from Number Is. I ran down \
stairs and along to it, expecting to find
he pretty niece Of Senior Vicenti again
seeking her uncle Instead Of her I
ound Brookes in it's porch. The door ,
vas ajar and as ran up the steps he !,
'ang and knocked again.
(To Be Continued)