Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-25
Copyright 1900, A. H. Hawkins.)
CHAPTER xIv.-(continued.)

He started at brisk walk to the
little bridge, reached the middle of it,
and stopped short. The talk he had
had with Nina zabriska at this very
spot came back into his mind "The
i blood, not the law he had said Well
| it was to the blood he had bowed, and
not to the law. He made movement
as though to walk on. but for mo-
ment he could not. When it came to
going, for an instant he could not go.
The parting was difficult. He had no
d1scontent with what he had done.
But it was hard to go, to leave Blent
just as the slowly growing day
brought into sight every outline he
knew SO we'll, and began to warm the
gardens into life. 81 should rather
like to stay a day." was his thought
as he fingered still. But the next mo-
ment he was across the bridge, slam
ming the gate behind him, and begin
ming to mount the road up the valley.
He had heard a shutter thrown open
and window raised; the sound came
from the wing where Cecily slept He
did not want to see her now; he did
not wish her to see him. She was to
awake to undivided possession, free
from any reminder of him. That was
his fancy, his idea of making his gift
to her of what was hers more splen-
did and more complete. But she did
see him; she watched him from her
window, as he walked up the valley.
He did not know true to his fancy, he
never turned his head.
Bob Broadley was an early riser, as
his business in life demanded. At 6
O'Clock he was breakfasting in a
bright little room opening on his
garden. He was in the middle of his
rasher whenaa shadow fell across his
plate. Looking up, he started to see
Harry Tristram at the doorway.
Lord Tristramn' he exclaimed.
n!''You've called me Tristram all your
life. / should think you might STILL"
observed Harry.
20. all right. But what brings you
here? These aren't generally your
hours, are they?"
Perhaps not. May | have some
breakfast"
The maid was summoned and
ly dropped the cup and saucer when
she realized that the great man was
there at in the morning.
brought him what he asked She near
I'm on my way to London said
Harry Going to take the train at
f1lllngford instead of Blentmouth, be-
cause | wanted to drop in on you I've
something to say"
expect I've heard. It's very kind
OF you to come, but saw jamie liver
an Blentmouth yesterday"
Il daresay; but she didn't tell you
what I'm going to- Harry having
made but pretense of breakfasting,
pushed away his plate "I'll smoke, if
you don't mind. You go on eating"
ne said. DO you remember a little
Talk we had about our friend Duplay?
we agreed that We should both like
TO put spoke in his Wheel"
And you've done it," said Bob.
reaching for his pipe from the mantel-
piece.
Il did do it. can't do it any more.
You know there were certain reasons
which made marriage between ia
nie Iver and me desirable? I'm saving
nothing against her and don't intend
to say word against myself Well.
those reasons no longer exist. | have
written to her to say So She'll get
the letter this afternoon"
You've written to break off the en-.
gagement?" Bob spoke slowly and
thoughtfully, but with no great sur
prise.
Eyes. She accepted me under
serious Misrepresentation When | |
asked her ! was in a position to which
l had no" He interrupted himself,
frowning little. Not even now was
ne ready to say that. I'm a position
which | no longer occupy" he amend |
ed, recovering his placidity "All the |
world will know that very SOON am
no longer owner of Blent.'
What?" cried Bob, jumping up and
iooking nara at Harry. The surprise
came now.
And | am nc longer what you call |
ed me justsnow--Lord Tristram. You
Know the law about succeeding to
peerages and entailed lands? Very
well. My birth has been discovered |
the smiled for an instant) not to sat.
isfy that law-the merits of which
Bob. we won't discuss. Consequently,
not l, but Miss Gainsborough sue.
ceeds my mother in the title and
property. l have informed Miss Gains.
borough ought to say Lady iris.