Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-06-27
TRISTRAM OF BLENT &c
Byo; sc Being an Episode in the Stor,
HOE ~ of an Ancient House

matters"
Still, even old Joe Cholderton's
recreations-"
He was certainly mainly an OBJ
server, but he saw some interesting
things and people," There was re-
newed touch of nervousness in Mr..
Neeld's manner.
Interesting people? HIM. Then
hope he's discreet?"
"Or that Mr. Neeld would be dis
Greet for him." liver put in. Though
l don't know why interesting people
are supposed to create need for dis
erection"
20, yes you do, liver. You know the
world. Don't you be too discreet,
Neeld. Give us taste of Joe's light
style"
Neeld did not quite approve of his
deceased and respected friend being
referred to as "Joe," nor did he desire
to discuss in that company what he
had and what he had not suppressed
in the Journal.
Il have used the best of my judg-
ment." he said primly, and was sur
prised to find liver smiling at him with
an amused approval.
THE least likely men break out, !"
Lord Southend pursued, hopefully.
"The Baptist minister down at my
place once waylaid the wife of the
chairman of quarter sessions and ask
ed her to run away with his.
That's one Of your Nonconformist
stories, Southend. l never believe
them" said liver
20, I'm not saying anything. She
was a pretty woman. l just gave it
as an illustration. l happen to know
! it's true because she told me herself"
"Ah, I'd begin to listen if he'd told
you was Iver's cautious comment.
You give us the whole old Joe
Cholderton," was Lord Southend' S
final injunction.
Imagine if l did," thought Neeld
beginning to feel some of the Joy OF
holding a secret.
Presently Southend took his leave
saying he had an engagement. TIC
his own surprise, Neeld did not fee
this to be an unwarrantable proceed
ing. He sat on with liver, and found
himself cunningly encouraging his
companion to talk again about the
Tristrams. liver described Blent fol-
him. He told him how Lady Iris
tram had looked, and her illness was
supposed to be fatal. He talked agar
, of Harry Tristram, her destined sue
cessor. But he said no more of hi:
daughter. Neeld was left withou
any clear idea that his companion:
:. concern was more than that of ;
neighbor, or beyond what an ancien
family, with odd episodes in its his
tory, might naturally inspire.
20, you must come to Blentmouth
) Mr.. Neeld. You must, indeed. Fo
a few days, now. Choose your time
only let it be soon. Why, if yo-
made your way into the library a
Blent you might happen on a fin
there. A lot of interesting stui
: there, I'm told. And we shall be yer
grateful for visit"
Iver rose and held out his hand.
must co. he said. "Fairholme, Blent
: from you soon to tell us to look GU
for you"
One of the unexpected lil1ings tina
9 Each man felt it and recognized it i
the other. They were alone in tn
: room for the moment
e "Mr. Iver," said Neeld in his Or,
t else prim tones. II must make a cor
! fession to you. When you were u
|. for this club-my vote was not i
i your favor"
0 During minutes silence liver loo]
l. ed at him with amusement and almos
with affection.
d I'm glad you've told me that"
n well, I'm glad / have, to-
d Needs laugh was nervous.
d Because it shows that you're thin
It ing of coming to Blentmouth."
"Yes-yes, am" answered Neel
G smiling. And they shook hands. Her
d was the beginning Of friendship
e here also Neeld's entry on the seer
e where Harry Tristram's fortune
t formed the subject of the play.
], By the Blent the drama SCENE
very considerably to be waiting fl
) him. 1t says much for Maj Dupla
8 that his utter and humiliating defe,
IS by the pool had not driven him I'M
any hasty action, or shaken him in h
q original purpose. If he could by ar
a means avoid it he was determined nj
a to move while Lady Tristram live
Harry might force him to act soone
/, that rested with Harry, not with hir
y Meanwhile he declined to e
y plain even to Nina. VIII;
udu OCCURRED ny Lu6 poe
and treated her open incredulousne
> as to Harrys explanation with silen,
. or snub. The major was not hapI
:, at this time; yet his unhappiness WI
I nothing to the deep woe, and, indee
70 terror, which had settled on Nina 2
- briska. She had guessed enough
~ see that, for the moment at leas
Harry had succeeded in handling D
=. play SO roughly as to delay, if not
: thwart, his operations; what won
"a he not do to her. whom he mu
h. i. know to be the original cause of II
"a trouble? She used to stand on Il
ia terrace at Merrion and wonder abo
n. this, and she dared not go to Fa
% holme lest she encounter Harry. 81
NJ made many good resolutions for Il
A. future, but there was no comfort
n. the present days.
ia The resolutions went for nothir
,lf even in the moment in which tn
n. We're made. She had suffered t
liz meddling; that was bad; it was wor
or to the Imp not to NEEDLE; inactivi
n was the one thing uncomfortable. 81
III too, like old Mr.. Neeld in Lond
a town, was drawn by the interest
= a hryk