Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-02-01
CHAPTER XXI.
LYNDALL's STRANGER.

| A IRE Is burning in the unused hearth
i Of the cabin. The fuel blazes up and
lights the black rafters and warns the
faded red lions on the quilt and fills
the little room with glow of warmth
and light made brighter by contrast,
for outside the night is chill and misty.
Before the open fireplace sits a stran-
ger, his tall, slight figure reposing in
the broken armchair, his keen blue
eyes studying the fire from beneath
delicately penciled. dropping eyelids.
One white hand plays thoughtfully
with heavy flaxen mustache, yet
once he starts, and for an instant the
languid lids raise themselves. There
is keen. intent look upon the face as
he listens for something. Then he
leans back in his chair, fills his glass
from the silver flask in his bag and re-
sunes his old posture.
Presently the door opens noiselessly.
1t is Lyndall, followed by Doss. Quiet
ly as she enters he hears her and
turns.
| II thought you were not coming"
II waited till all had gone to bed.
could not come before"
She removed the shawl that envelop-
| ed her, and the stranger rose to offer
| her his chair, but she took her seat on
a low pile of sacks before the window.
| 81 hardly see why l should be out
lawed after this fashion," he said, re-
seating himself and drawing his chair
a little nearer to her These are hard
~ the quarters one expects to find aft
err travelling hundred miles in answer
| to an invitation"
II said, Come if you WISH"
| "And | did wish. You give me q
cold reception"
| II could Tot take you to the house.
| Questions would be asked which l
could not answer without preyarca-
| ton"
Your conscience is growing to have
a certain virgin tenderness" he said in
q low, melodious voice.
II have no conscience. l spoke one
deliberate lie this evening. l said the
man. who had come looked rough. We
had best not have him in the house.
Therefore brought him here. 1t was
a deliberate lie, and hate lies. tell
them il l must. but they hurt me-"
Well, you do not tell lies to yourself,
! at all events. You are candid so far"
She interrupted him.
you got my short letterY'
Eyes; that is why come. You sent
a very foolish reply. You must take ii
back. Who is this fellow you talk Of
En,arry tig;,', s
"a young farmer"
Lives here?''
Eyes: he has gone to town to get
things for our Wedding
| What kind of fellow is he?"
"a fool
"And you would rather marry him
than me?"
Yes because you are not one.''
That is novel reason for refus.
ing his elbow on the table and watch
ing her keenly.
ut is wise one," she said shortly.
If marry him, shall shake him OF
my hand when it suits me- If re-
manned with him for IL months, be
would never have dared to kiss my
hand. As far as wish he should come
he comes and no further. Would you
ask me what you might and what you
might not do?"
Her companion raised his mustache
with n caressing movement from his
lip and smiled. 1t was not question
that stood in need OF any answer.
"Why do you wish to enter on this
selnblance of marriageY
Because there is only one point on
Which have conscience. have told
you So"
''Then why not marry me?'
Because IL once you have me you
would hold me fast. shall never be
free again." She drew long. low
breath.
what have you done with the ring
gave you?" he said.
Sometimes wear 1t. Then l take
1t off and wish to throw 1t into the fire
The next day put it on again. and
sometimes kiss it."
$50 you do love me a little?''
"If you were not something more to
me than any other man in the world
do you think She paused. II love you
when see you, but when you are
away from me hate you"
"Then fear must be singularly in.
visible at the present moment" he
said. Possibly il you were to look
less fixedly into the fire you might per.
ceiye me-"
| He moved his chair slightly SO as to
come between her and the freight
She raised her eyes to his face.
"If you do love me-" he asked her
"why will you not marry ma?"
Because If had been married to
you for year / should have come to
my senses and seen that your hands
and your voice are like the hands and
the voice of any other man. cannot
quite see that now. But it is all mad
ness. You call into activity one part OF
my nature. There is a higher part that
you know nothing Of. that you never
touch. II married you, afterward il
would arise and assert itself, and