Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1899-11-16
HIS FAMILY SPECTER

what to make of YOU r exclaimed Tom
Fairleigh, drawing on his gloves with
considerable show Of yexation. "Amy
Hepburn's happiness is dear to me. In
fact, I came here tonight to tell Won
that I love her. 4
..To tell mel', broke In Gordon.
"Why don't YOU tell her 70,
.sWait, can't Won? Let me finish I
have told her, and she has declined me.
1t was done very gently and with the
greatest possible regard for NV feelinps
but nevertheless was wa, declined Don i
think me fool because i come here
and make a confession which can he
nothing less than notifying. Pm do
ing it for Amy's sake. /"
"For Amy's sake ~ echoed Gordon.
stYes; / want to see her happy and
you are the man to make her 80 She
declined me on your account. Of course
I knew long ago that Won were nv
rival, but did not know until two honrs
ago that Won were the successful one.
You aren't worthy Of her and don't de-
serve her. but don't think for a moment
| that / believe myself more worthy or
more deserving y; Pans;no snddan1y
Fairleigh walked to his friends side
and laid hand on his shoulder. ~
can't understand what Won mean by
leading Amy to believe That Won care
for her while all the fine dividing
your attention with Nell Fortbdyke.
Would you be inhuman enough to
break q heart as loyal as Amy,s9''
"Don't get tragic. Tom I'm NOT 90
ing Ia hreak anvbodv,s haor+ Nil l.
rich, you know
"And SO are You, y sneered Fairleigh,
walking hurriedly to the door and law
ing his hand on the knob. ..but ANY
Hepburn is poor. Society dares YOU to
wed with poverty. If YOU love ANY,
are you man enough to take the dare
Examine into the financial condition
of the Hepburns, reflect upon the cause
Of their downfall in fortune and then
let me see if you are strong enouch to
leap this Brahminical barrier of caste. J"
With this parting shot Fairleieh
passed quickly out Of the room and
4 slammed the door bebind him Harry
Gordon gave vent to a long whistle,
settled himself back in a chair and
| thoughtfully lighted cigar.
"That was quite JOLT he NUT
tered, looking upward through the
curling wreaths of smoke. I" How
happy could be with either were
t'other dear charmer awayp It's as
sure as can be that Hove one and fancy
the other. But who will unravel the
Gordlan knott Which is it to be-Amy
or Nellp
A knock fell on the door, not on the
outside door, but on a door leading into
closet. Harry Gordon stirred uncom-
fortably in his chair, yexed look COM
ing into his eyes as he fixed them upon
the closet door. After brief interval
of silence the knock was repeated.
"Now, what in the world aroused
your" cried Gordon.
| Business is business" came hol-
low voice from the other side Of the
closet door. TIN here for a purpose, and
II ! do not make that purpose manifest
once IN awhile you'll forget all about
me-
This remark was followed by clank-
ing, cachinnatory outburst that seemed
to CRATE harshly on Gordon's ear.
"Well. what do you want7" he
asked.
81 want to come out and show my
self. You know I'm here but little
ocular demonstration won come amiss,
/ take it. Remember, I'm showing con-
sideration for you. Knight have Kicked
open this door and stalked out into the
room. But I didn't raped.
"Can't you put it off? Come out to-
morrow. I've got something else to
think about now
"The high and mighty order Of fam
lily skeletons are not in the habit Of
playing second fiddle or taking back
eeats for anybody. I'm coming at once. .
"All right. then" groaned Gordon,
squaring himself about in his chair.
"Come on. .
The closet door flew open and a well
developed skeleton strobe ont and drop-
ped with a rattle into chair, The cav
ernous eyes were blankly expressive
to Gordon. For him also there was
| something e.rc.stio l., the o,r;,, 30 +ba