Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-03-15

not malicfously interfered, Lucetta
Broxton would have been the mother,
of his child. This necklace was DIV
las by right Of such Inheritance
The reasoning was Horace Matthews
response to a pricling conscience. He
kept it to himself when he gave the
pearls to Olivia.
Pearls are for young wearers, my
queen Of hearts. l think these will so
well with your pink gown"
Olivia stood on tiptoe to kiss him.
Her eyes were shining. Her cheeks
were aglow.
Father, you are too good. to me. I
don't deserve to have such q father.
I don't indeed"
He kissed the lips held up to him
fervently. mo ifs now? All gomez"
mo. Ny .if is a very obstinate
one. I was going to say everything
would be perfect if only Tom could
have come"
II don't consider his presence at all
necessary" said the lawyer in a chilled
voice. Remember the last time he
was in the house, my love. He might
have cast a damper over the whole af-
fair"
"Oh, no, papa!eI don't think he could
have done that. He wrote so nicely
about u using the house." She was
drawing on her long white gloves with
dainty elaboration. "You know, papa,
I wrote and begged him to come"
mo, my dear; l certainly. did not
know it. I sincerely hope he will pay
no attention to your thoughtless re-
quest. It would be a serious Interrupt
ton to his studies at a time he should
be most assiduous."
"Ah" Her one ungloved hand was
over his mouth. mo scolding today,
papa. The dear boy telegraphed he
would come if he possibly could"
A smart carriage was seen rolling
into the newly graveled driveway.
There was no time for discussing Tom
further just then.
"The Westoyers," said Ollie, catch
ing her breath nervously. 81 asked
them to come early to help me re-
ceive."
And then Miss Malvina hustled in
from the rear, where she had been see
ing about the collation., and Joined Oh
lie with a made up society smile and
a soft jingling of her magnificent jet
appendages.
The Westover carriage had barely
deposited its load Of gayly bedecked
guests when Miss Malvina touched
Oliyia's arm mysteriously.
"My dear, do you see that horseman
tearing across the lawn by the side
drawbars? Tom Bro1ton used to ride
just-that gaze. But this rider looks like
a young giant"
They We're alone in the long parlor
The Westoyer ladies had made a rus,
ting transit from the carriage to the
dressing Mr.. Matthews had
carried Mr.. MISSIONER into the smoking
room. Clarence Westover was yet tt
arrive. Ollie called him her '.piece de
resistance"
Just now she was craning her neck
to glimpse the rider through the clip.
ped shrubbery. Evidently he was not
heading for the carriage approach in
front. A bright light flashed into DIV.
las face. She clapped her hands joy
ously.
at is Tom! The dear boy! I wrote
him my fete would be spoiled if he die
not come. and he has come"
She sgiided swiftly through the hal.
and stood at the rear entrance, a radi
ant vision, smiling. glad, with expect
ant hands outstretched.
Tom, dusty and travel stained
mounted the steps at a bound, a clear
eyed young giant, flushed with exercise
and expectation.
He waved her back laughingly.
II am not fit to touch the hem OF
your shining garments, olivia. 1 must
postpone that luxury for half an hour
And, c~ircling OBVIOUSLY through the
well remembered passageways, he dis
appeared up stairs, bag in hand.