Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-12-27
CHAPTER XXI.
FATHER AND DAUGHTER.

shaken by the conflicting emotions of
the day, had gone to her room to rest
and to prepare for the interview
which she meant to have with her
father on the subject of her lover
and of Chatham.
Having received word that Murdoch
would remain in his study during the
rest of the afternoon, she had taken
time to reflect upon what she meant
to say, and how she meant to say it.
Her visit was not prompted by the
desire of daughter to confide the
great happiness of her life to the low
ing sympathy of an affectionate par
ent; but Agnes was punctilious in the
performance of what she considered
to be her duties, great and small, and
she counted it among those duties TO
obtain, or at any rate to seek, the pa
ternal sanction of her choice of u
husband.
Her knock at the door of Murdocks
study was answered in the chemists
quiet voice:
Come in"
As she opened the door, Murdoch
advanced to meet her. He seemed to
tension.
Miss Murdoch shifted the air.
isn't there a leak of gas?" she in
quired.
YES" replied Murdoch; 81 have
just stopped leak in the laboratory.
Won't you take chair, Agnes?"
She felt his calm, searching glance
upon her: and, in spite of her prep
aration, she grew embarrassed, rs
was her wont, in her fathers pres
ence.
did Mr.. Chatham wait to see you
this afternoon" she asked, after a
momentary silence.
| Murdoch observed her narrowly.
Eyes; Chatham has been here to-
| day. did not know that you had
seen him."
81 could not help seeing him; for
he forced his way into the parlor, III
| spite of all the servants could do to
prevent him"
An almost imperceptible furrow ap.
| peared between the chemists eyes.
Has he been annoying you with
his attentions?"
The words We're spoken in Muir.
docks usual tones; but Agnes saw
something in her fathers eyes and
in the firm lines of his mouth which
sent cold shiver down her spine, and
caused her pity to go ont to the un'
fortunate young man who had offend.
ed her.
perhaps he is more to be pitied
than blamed" she suggested, gently
My interview with him was certain,
ly not pleasant; but | bear him nc
malice"
Tell me about it," said Murdoch
slowly.
i Agnes gave her version of the visit
in which, instinctiyely. she softened
as much as possible, the passion anc
brutality displayed. by the account
ant.
| Murdoch listened in silence unit
she had quite finished. Then Agne!
noticed that his right hand wa
clenched upon the arm of his chair
with force which caused the mus
cles to stand out in hard knots. Sh,
looked up into his face in sudden sur
prise.
His features gave no indication o
what his feelings might be; and HI,
voice, as usual, was steady and DELHI
crate.
i Il am sorry all this should hav
happened, Agnes. As told you yes
terday, | hoped to save you from thi
; mans opportunities. 1t cannot b
, helped now. But l think l made i
clear to the gentleman that his atten
lions are as distasteful to me as the,
/ are to you. AS he seems to have toll,
!, you, he has been obliged to leave tn
country-I understand that he ha
done something or other which make
} it safer for him to undertake a lon,
journey. AT any rate, we are well iii
of him for some time to come, and
! think you need have no fear of fur
Their molestation."
: What did he mean by saying tina
J he had had encouragement fror
your" asked the young girl
a