Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-09-12
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Copyright, 1900, A. H. Hawkins>

aHu why nave we Deen so long in
the gallery, Mina?"
You've given in them" exclaimed
the Imp, pointing a finger in triumph
at Harry
Nina, how can you say a thing like
that?"
1T looks as though it were true,
though" admitted Harry. Really /
must 60, he added. Il can't keep
that fly all night. ] shall see you in
the morning, Nine. Zabriska. Eight
o'clock at Fillingford! -
I'm really to go with YOU" she
gasped.
yes, yes, thought all that was set.
tied" said he, rather impatiently.
Bring pretty frock l want my we'd
ding tc be done Handsomely a
style that suits the wedding of''-he
looked at Cecily-"of Lady Tristram
of Blent"
"Cecily, it's not all joke?"
Yes" cried Cecily. "All deli
cious, delicious joke. But we're going
to be married"
After moments hesitation Nina
came across to Harry, holding out her
hands. ''I'm glad-I'm so glad" she
murmured, with little catch in her
voice.
He took her hands and pressed them.
He looked at her very kindly though
he smiled still.
Yes, it undoes all the mistakes,
doesn't it?" he said cat least, hope
it will" he added the next moment,
with laugh.
lj'It's really the only way to be mar
rNsd," declared Cecily
l"Well, for you people-for you ex-
traordinary Tristrams-I dare say it
it," said Nina
you'll Gomez" Cecily implored.
"She couldn't keep away" Knocked
Harry. She's got to see the end of
u.s.
Eyes, and our new beginning. o,
what's Blent going to be, Nina? If you
don't come with us now, we won't let
you stay at Merton"
II I'm coming" said Nina. Indeed,
she would not have staid away. If she
had needed further inducement the
next moment supplied it.
You're to be our only confidant,"
said Harry.
know but you, Nina"
hO LII ~ WdS lkl vi uST weak
She was TREMENDOUSLY eager to go.
Eight o'clock! o, can we be ready
Cecily?'
"Of course we shall be ready" said
Cecily, scornfully
Harry had taken his hat from the
table and came up to shake hands He
was imperturbably calm and business
like.
Don't run it too fine" he said
"Gpodnight, Nine. Zabriska"
She gave him her hand and he held
1t for moment. He grew little
grave, but there was still a twinkle
in his eye.
You're a good friend" he said. a
shall come on you again, if | want
you, you know" He raised her hand
to his lips and kissed it.
II don't know that l care much
about anything but you two" STAN
mered Nina.
He gripped her hand again. She
seemed well paid. He held out his
hand to Cecily. Nina understood.
Il shall be up little while, Cecily
Gene to me before you 60 to bed
she said, and she stood in the hall
watching them as they walked out to
gether. There was joy in her heart
aye, and envy. The two brought tears
to her eyes and struggled which
should make the better claim to them
"But they do like me-" she said in a
plaintive yet glad little cry as he was
left alone in the silent old hall.
So still was the night that man
might hear the voice of his heart and
girl the throb of hers. And they We're
alone, or only the friendly murmur OF
old Blent was with them, seeming te
whisper congratulations on their joy
Her arm was through his, very white
on his sleeve, and she leaned on him
heavily.
after tempests, dear" said he.
There shall be no more, no more
Harry"
Il am glad of it ALL he said sudden
ly and in a louder tone. 1--WE been
made man. and I've found you, the
woman for me. 1t was hard at tbs
time but I'm glad of it. 1t has come
and it has gone, and am glad of it."
He had spoken unwarily in saying
it was gone. But she thought he spoke
of his struggle only, and his hesitation
not of their cause.
s.You gave what you might have
kept. 1t is always yours, Harry. O
and what is it all now? No, no, it's
something still. It's in us-in us both
I think"
;e stopped on the road.
Come no further. The hy's only a
little way on, and while see you
will see nobody else tonight. Till the
morning, dearest-and you won't
fail9n
mo, | won't fail Should | fail to
greet my first morning.
He pushed her hair little back
from her forehead and kissed her
brow.
God do so unto me, and more also
If my love ever fails you" said he.
Kiss me as kissed you. And so good
night
She obeyed and let him go. Once
,r twice he looked back at her as
lie took his way, and she stood still
IN the road. She heard his voice
oeaking to the hy-maa, the fy-man's
yhortation to his horse, the sounds
the wheels receding along the road.
hen slowly she went back.
When Cecily went in to her the Imp
as packing; with critical care she