Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-22
Copyright, 1900. A. H. Hawkins.>
CHAPTER XXI.
An Insult fo the Piood

Jnougnt. he went down to Blinkham- |
ton and stayed a week, the result of
his visit was a report which Iver
showed to Southend with very sig
nificant nod; even the mistakes in it
themselves inevitable from want of
experience-were the errors of large
mind; the touch of dogmatism did not
displease a man who valued self-con-
fidence above all other qualities.
THE lad will do; he'll make his
way" said liver.
Southend smiled lads who are equal
to make their own way may so very
far If they are given such start as
he had in contemplation for Harry.
Mr. Disney had given no sign yet
There was a crisis somewhere abroad
and colleague understood to be self
opinionated; there was a crisis in the
church, and a bishopric vacant. Lady
Evenswood was of opinion that the
least attempt to hurry Robert would
be fatal There was, after all, lin
its to the Importance of Harry Trist-
rams case, and Robert was likely, if
Y 'orried, to state the fact with his own
n. srciless vigor and with that, to say
go. Wy to the whole affair. The only
pers I seriously angry at the prime
minis. rs "dawdling" was Nina Ia
briska, md she had enjoyed no chance
of telling him so. To make such an
opportunity for her was too hazardous
an experiment; it might have turned
out we'll one could never tell with
Rcbert-but on the whole it was to be
risked.
What Lady Evenswood would not
venture. fortune dared. Nina had
been seeing sights it was August
now, a suitable month for the task
and one evening about $50 she land
ed her weary bones on seat in St.
James park for few moments rest
before she faced the Underground.
The place was very empty-the few
people there lay, for the most part
asleep-workmen with the days labor
done. Presently she saw two men
walking slowly toward her from the
direction of Westminster One was
tall and slight, handsome and dis
tinguished n appearance: in the 9th
er she recognized the rugged, awk-
ward man whom she had met at Lady
Evenswood's. He was talking hard,
hitting his fist into the palm of his
other hand sometimes. The hand
some man listened with Difference
/ but frowned and semed troubled. Sud
\ denly the pair stopped.
II must go back to the house, she
heard the handsome man say.
We'll, think it over. Try to see it
in that light said Disney, holding
out his hand. The other took it and
then turned away. The episode would
have been worth a good paragraph
and dozen coniectures to report
er. The handsome man was the self
opinionated colleague, and the words
Nina had heard, were they not cleal
proof of discussions in the cabinet?'
Disney stood stock still in the path
not looking after his recalcitrant col
league, but down on the ground: his
thoughts made him unconscious Of
things external. Nina glowed with
excitement.
An artisan swung by, his tools over
his back. Nina saw the suddenly
awakened attention with which hi.
head turned to Disney. He slackenec
pace moment, and then, after an ap
parent hesitation lifted his cap
There was no sign that Disney saw
him, save that he touched his cap il
almost unconscious acknowledgement
With quick jerk of his head Dis
ney began to walk on slowly. For al
instant Nina did not know what sht
would do; the fear and the attraction
struggled. Then she jumped up ant
walked toward him. Her name
tried to assert that she had not not
Iced him. She was almost by him
She gave cough He looked up
d Would he know her? Would he re
Y member asking-no, directing-m,
1ooI hi, L.
II and had he read what she wrote
He was looking at her. She dared
hurried little bow. He came to
standstill again.
yes yes he said, questioningly.
Madame Zabriska, Mr.. Disney"
20, yes" His voice sounded a lii
tie disappointed Il met you at
'At Lady Evenswood's, Mr. Disney
Taking courage, she added, Il sen
what you wanted"
What / wanted?"
Yes" What you wanted me t
write about about the Tristrams."
Yes" The voice sounded now a
if he had placed her. He smiled
little. 81 remember it all now. ! rea
it the other morning" He nodded a
her. as if that finished the matter
buC Mlud ulu llOl ulONe. III Jus
just now" he added, but-Well, how
your side of the affair going on, Mac
am Zabriska? I've heard nothin
from my cousin about that
Its just. wonderful to see you Xix
this" the Imp blurted out.
That amused him; she saw tn
twinkle in his eye.
Never mind me. Tell me about tn
,srf, to-
20, you are thinking of it, then?""
Il never tell what I'm thinlin
about. That's the only reason PEI
pie think me clever. The cousins!
20, that's all dreadful. At least
believe they are--they would be
love; but-but-Mr. Tristram's s
difficult, so obstinate, SO proud.
don't suppose you understand"
You're the second person who
told me | can't understand in the las
half hour" He was smiling now 9
he coupled Nina and the handsom
recalcitrant colleague in his protest
I'm not sure of it,
nd she's been silly and he's bee