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

the right spot, his papers by him, his
cigar to his hand (even these Susanna
understood), sense of peace in his
heart, and in his head mild wonder
that anybody was disconnected with
the world. In this condition he in
tended to spend at least couple of
hours, after which Susanna would
drive him gently once round the park,
take him to the house of lords. wait
20 minutes. and then land him at the
Imperium. He lit a cigar and took
up the Economist. 1t was not the
moment for anything exciting.
"A lady to see you, my lord-on
important business"
Excessive comfort is enervating.
After brief and futile resistance he
found Nina Zabriska in the room and
himself Regarding her with mingled
CONSERVATION and amusement Relics
of excitement hung about the Imp,
but they were converted to business
purposes. She came as an agent The
name of her principal awoke South
ends immediate interest.
"She's up to London?" he exclaim-
ed.
Eyes, both of us. We're at their
old home"
Southend discovered his pince nez
and studied her thin, mobile face.
And what have you come up for?"
he asked, after a pause.
Nina shrugged her shoulders.
Just to see what's going on she
said. II daresay you wonder what
I've got to do with it?" His manner
seemed to assent and she indicated
her position briefly
hof
late Lady Tristram And you
knew Again he regarded her
thoughtfully. Il hope Lady Tristram
the new one-is wel1?"
There was the sound of Whisper
ed consultation outside the door; it
drew Minas eyes in that direction.
That's all right" he smiled. cts
only my wife scolding the butler for
having let you in. This is my time
for rest"
Rest exclaimed Nina, rather
scornfully. you wrote to Cecily as
If you could do something
THAT was rash of me. What do
you want done? I've heard about you
from Iver you know"
20, the Ivers have nothing to do
with this. It's just between Cecily
and Mr.. Tristram."
And you and me, apparently?"
What was your idea when Won
wrote, | made Cecily let me come and
see you because it sounded as if you
had an idea If he had no idea it
was clear that contempt awaited him.
i wanted to be friendly. But as
for doing anything-well, that hardly
depends on me-
But things can't go on as they are,
you know" she said brusquely.
'Unhappily, as I understand the
law"
20, understand the law, too-and
very silly it is. suppose it can't be
changed?"
Good gracious, my dear Nine. Ia
briska! Changed" And on this point,
too!
| What are acts of parliament for?"
Nina demanded.
| Absolutely out Of the question" he
laughed. Even if everybody consent
ed, absolutely
| And Harry Tristram wouldn't con.
sent you mean?"
We'll could any man."
| Nina looked round the room with a
| discontinued air; there is such a la
| mentable gulf between feeling that
something must be done and discover.
ing what it is.
| Il don't say positively that nothing
| can be DONE he resumed after a mo-
ment, dangling his glass and looking
| at her covertly. Are you at leisure
| this afternoon?"
| If you've got anything to suggest"
Nina had grown distrustful of his in
telligence and her tongue showed it.
Il thought You might like to come
and see friend of mine. who is kind
enough to be interested in Harry
| Tristram." He added with the con-
seriousness of naming an important
person. Il mean Lady Evenswood."
Who's she?" asked the Imp. curt
| ly.
To do them justice, Englishmen
| seldom forget that allowances must
be made for foreigners. Lord South
end explained gravely and patiently.
well. let's CO. said Nina, indiffer-
emily. mot that it seems much use,"
her manner added.
Excuse me a moment" said he,
| and he went out to sooth his wife's
| alarm and assure her that he was not
tired
AS they drove Nina heard more of
Lady Evenswood-among other things
that she had known Addie Tristram
as child An unusual timidity as
SAUL and conquered Nina when she
found herself with the white-haired
old lady, who never seemed to do
more than gently suggest and yet ex-
ercised command. Southend watched
them together with keen amusement,
while Lady Evenswood drew out of
Nina some account of Cccily's feel
ings and of the scene at Blent.
We'll. that's Tristram all over"
sighed Lady Evenswood at the end.
Yes, isn't it?' cried Nina, embold-
ened by a sympathy that spoke her
own thought. she hates to feel she's
taken everything away from him. But
Lord Southend says he can't have it
back Is there nothing to be done?
You see it's all being wasted"
All being waSted?"
Yes. Blent and all of it. He can't
have it: and as things are now she
can't enjoy it,
Very perverse. very perverse, GER
tainly,' murmured Southend frown-
ing--although he was rather amused,
tOO