Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-09-05

IN,
at some expense She was, in a word,
very much the proprietor. 1t was dir.
ficult for Neeld to sit and hear all
this. And opposite to him sat Nina
! Zabrislla, rather silent and demure,
but losing no chance of reminding
/ him by a stealthy glance that this or.
! binary talk covered remarkable sit
F., uation-as indeed it did, but not of
the precise nature that Nina sup
posedt
When dessert was on the table. liver.
true to his habits and traditions. felt
| that It was the occasion for a few
| friendly, informal words; the birth
day and the majority of young Lady
Tristram demanded so much recogri-
ton. Admirably concise and simple
| in ordinary conversation, he began.
| like so many of his countrYmeu, ratl-
| or heavy and pompous when he got
on his legs. Yet he made what every
| body except Nina Zabriska considered
a very appropriate little speech.
Gainsborough grew quite enthusiastic
over it: and Neeld thought it was
wonderfully good Off it had not hap
! rened, of course, to be by sorce of
circumstances an absurdity from be-
ginning to end). Cecily was content
to say "Thank YOU" but her father
could not refuse himself the privilege
of reply: the reply was on her behalf,
but it was mainly about himself-al-
| so a not uncommon characteristic of
after-dinner oratory. Then Neeld had
a turn over the engagement Ca subject
duh but safe) and the proceedings
were stopped only by Bob Broadley's
headlcng flight when the question OF
| his response arose.
Thank goodness that's, over said
Nina snappishly as she stepped out
into the garden. followed by Mr..
Neeld. The rest went off to see the
treasures of the, long gallery. Nina
turned to him with a quick
question. You saw Mr.. Tristram ?
How is he?"
Harry Tristram is quite we'll and
in very good spirits. never saw a
man better in my life
Nina was silent for moment. Then
she broke out:
81 call it disgusting. He's in good
spirits, and she's in good spirits, and
and there's an end of it, l suppose.
The next thing will be-"
It's not the end, if there's a next
thing" Neeld suggested timidly
20, don't be tiresome. The next
thing'll be some stupid girl for him
and some idiot of a man for her.
How l wish I'd never come to Mer-
rion!"
Don't despair. Things may turn
out better than you think"
"They can't" she declared fretfully.
| y shall go away"
| What {. pity! Miss Gainsborough--
Lady Tristram, | mean-will miss you
so much"
Let her!" said the Imp ungracious-
ly. I've put myself out enough about
the Tristrams."
| Neeld forbore to remind her of the
entirely voluntary nature of her sacri-
| fees; after all he was not the man to
throw stones on that account.
wait few days anyhow" he urged
her. In few days something must
happen.
"a few days? o, yes!" AS matter
of fact she meant 10 stay all winter
She's started" she went on with an
I irritated jerk of her head toward the
Long Gallery, putting all the things
| in different places and rearranging ev
erythin"
Il should imagine that Mr.. Gains
borough's enjoying himself then?"
She doesn't let him touch a thing,
replied Nina with feeting smile
He just stands about with a buster
That contents him well enough
though. o, yes, shall go. The Broad
leys won't care about me, and CecilA
won't want me long"
Neeld could give real comfort only
at the price OF indiscretion.
We must wait and see how it al
turns out" said he.
II hate people who say that" grum
bled Nina disconsolately And | dc
think that the Ivers have grown ex
traordinarily stupid-caught it from
Bob Broadley, | suppose
When injustice springs not from
| Judgment. but from temper, it is moi
worth arguing against. Neeld held mis-
tongue and they sat silent on the seal
by the river looking across to Mer
rion, and hearing the voices of theil
friends through the open windows o.
the long gallery
through the stiffness of the night the
Souilu VI WueelS, not Oh the blonC
mouth SIDE but I'D the valley, on the
Mingham and Fillingford road. The
sound ceased without the appearance
of any vehicle but it had reminded
Neeld of the progress of time.
1t must be getting late he said
rising. I'll go and see if they think
of starting home. Did you heal
wheels on the road toward the
Pool?"
Bob Broadley's cart coming FOL
him. | suppose
No; | don't think so. He's goins
back to Fairholme with us. heart
him say So"
/ Nina was languidly Indifferent, anG
Mr. Neeld trotted off into the house
Nina sat on, frowning at the idea that
in a few minutes she would have tt
go in and say goodby; for the voices
came no more from the long gallery
and she heard the guests Laughing
and chatterng in the hall, as they
prepared for departure Suddenly She
| discerned the figure of man coming
into sight across the river. He walk
ed slowly, as it seemed. stealthily, till
he came to the end of the footbridge
Then he halted and looked up at the
| house. 1t was eayly lighted Afte,