Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-01

nv oAO SflCu IlO uSAI luSIduI,
pointing at Addie Tristram's picture.
About that at least there was no
doubt in Mina's mind. She nodded en-
phatically.
"Ive done what she spent her life
trying to prevent! I've made every
body talk about her again! Nina, l
feel as if I'd thrown mud at her, as
if I'd reviled her. Yes, she'd hate me.
And so must Harry" She turned to
Nina. Its terribly, unfair, isn't it;
terribly? She'd have liked me, 1
think. and I'd get to be such good
friends with him. I'd come to think
he'd ask us down now and then
about once year, perhaps. 1t would
have been something to look forward
to all the year. 1t would have made
life quite different, quite good enough,
you know. l should have been so
content and so happy with that. o,
it's terribly unfair! Why do people
do things that-that bring about things
like this ?"
Poor Lady Tristram." sighed Nina,
glancing at the beautiful cause of the
terrible unfairness. She was like
that, you see," she added.
yes, | know that, but it oughtn'
to count against other people so. Yes,
it's terribly unfair
A silence fell between the two, and
Cecily walked again to the window.
The sun was setting on Blent. and it
glowed in soft beauty.
ITO think that | should be here and
have this and yet be very, very un-
happy" murmured the girl softly.
She faced around suddenly. Nina
I'm going to London. Now-tonight.
There's train at s."
The Imp sat up straight and stared.
Il shall wire to our house: the
maids there, and she'll have things
ready
What are you going to town for?''
ITO see this Lord Southend. You
must come with me-"
Il? o, can't possibly. And your
father"
He must stay here. You must
come. Run back and pack a bag; you
won't want much l shall go just as |
am With gesture she indicated
the plain black frock she wore. Oh,
can't be bothered with packing!
What does that matter? I'll call for
you in the carriage at Z. We mustn't
miss the train"
Nina gasped. This was Tristram
indeed.
II just felt must go. If anything's
done at all, it'll be done in London
not here"
"How long do you mean to stay?"
Il can't possibly tell Till some.
things done. Go, now, Nina, or you'll
be too late"
80, I'm not coming. The whole
things absurd. What can you do?
And, anyhow, it's not my business"
Very well. | shall go alone. Only
thought you were interested in Har
ry- And l thought you We're my
friend"
She threw herself into chair. She
was in Addie Tristram's attitude
But | suppose l haven't got any
friends" she concluded, not in dis
tressed fashion, but with a pensiye
submissive little smile.
You're perfectly adorable!" cried
Nina, running across to her "And II
go with you to Jericho if you like
She caught Cecily's hand in hers ant
kissed her cheek.
| The scene was transformed in al
instant; that was also the Tristran
way. Cecily sprang up. laghing gaily
even dancing a step or two as she
wrung Mina's hands
"Hurrah! Marchons. En- ayant!'
she cried. 20. Well do something
| Nina! Don't you hate sitting still?'
"Cecily, are you-are you in love
with Harry?"
20. hope not. l hope not" she
laughed gaily. Because he must hate
me so. And are you. Nina? o,
hope not that, too! Come to London!
To seek our fortunes in London! o
you tiresome old Blent, how glad
am to leave you!"
But your father
We'll do things quite nicely, Nina
dear. We won't distress father. Wei
leave a note for him. Nina. I'm sure
Addie Tristram used Just to leave 6
note whenever she ran away! Wei
sleep in London tonight"
Suddenly Nina understood better
why Harry had surrendered Blent
and understood, too, as her mind flew
back, why Addie Tristram had made
men do what they had done.
20, yes, you tiresome old Blent!'
cried Cecily, shaking her fair hair to
ward the open window. Glow could
girl think she was going to live or
river scenes and bric-a.brac?" She
laughed in airy scorn. you mus
grow more amusing if I'm to come
back to you" she threatened.
River scenes and bric-a-brac! Nina
was surprised that Blent did not on
the instant punish the blasphemy by
a revengeful earthquake or an over
whelming flood. Cecily caught her
by the arm, burlesque apprehension
screwing her face up into a fantastic
ally ugly mask.
ut was the Gainsborough in me-
she whispered "Gainsborough can
live on curios But | can't. Nina, |
can't. I'm Tristram, not Gains.
borough. No more could Harry in the
end, no more could Harry"
Nina was painting.
But, what are we going to do?"
she cried III last protest of common
sense
20, | don't know: but something
Notwithstanding" was the not
very common sense answer she re-
ceived.
1t was not the moment for common
sense. Nina scorned the thing. and
flung it from her. She would have
i.