Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-08-15
TRISTRAM OF BLENT &c
sy ~ Being Episode in the Story
HOPE - of an Ancient House /.

have at command. Then the ludic-
rous episode would be over and done
with forever.
A very pleasant evening it proved;
so that it prolonged itself, naturally,
as it were, and without express ar
rangement, beyond dinner and the
play, and embraced in its many hours
a little supper and a long drive in a
cab, to those distant regions where
Cecily's house was situated. There
was no more talk of Blent: there was
some of Harry's new life. it's features
and it's plans, there was a good deal
about nothing in particular: and
there was not much of any sort as
they drove along in the cab at l
O'Clock in the morning.
/ But Harry's purpose was not forgot
ten. He babe the cabman wait, and
followed Cecily into the house. He
looked round it with lively interest
and curiosity.
$50 this is where you came from =
he exclaimed, with a compassionate
smile. "You do want something to
make up for this
She laughed as she took off her hat
and sank into chair Yes, this is
home" she said.
Have you had pleasant even
ing?" he demanded.
"You know / have"
.Are you feeling friendly to me?'
Now came the attitude: she threw
herself into it and smiled.
"Thats what | wanted" he went
, on. Now | can say what | have tc
: say"
C1.a ~; tn In M
There was now no sign of uneasiness
!, about her She smiled luXuriously
and her eyes We're resting on his face
; with evident pleasure. They We're to
gether again as they had been in the
long gallery; the same contentmenl
possessed her: the inner feeling had
; its outward effect; there came on hin
the same admiration, the same sense
5 that she commanded his loyalty Har
, ry was amazed to find himself sudden
ly at loss looking at the girl, hardly
i knowing how to speak to her.
"Well?" she said. Where now was
, the tremulous excitement? She wa:
magnifcently at her ease and com
: manded him to speak, if he had any
J. thing to say. If not, let him hold hi:
peace.
III we re 10 De IIlSuuS, 70. IldlIs NC
!, gan. 81 must hear no more of wha
you said this afternoon. You asked
: me to be pensioner, you proposed
. yourself to be- He did not finish
t The word was not handy, or he wished
e to spare her.
She showed no signs of receivini
/: mercy.
e VERY WELL" she said, smiling. 81
|, n,,IE t,'
e talk like that. l suppose you've n
e idea?'
f She broke into scornful laugh
e "You know what it really meant-sti
d you've only a scolding for me! Ho'
D. funny that you see one-half and nc
the other! But you've given me
T very pleasant evening, cousin Harry.
! you must leave my life alone h
!, insisted brusquely.
II 80, yes: for the future. I've notl
h ing left to offer. have L? I have bee
:" refused" She seemed to exult j
\, the abandonment of her candor
+ He looked at her angrily, almos
dangerously. And she began to laugl
p You look as if you We're going to h
It me-" she said.
20, you do talk nonsense h
nr RrCan9u. but she Was lOO llluCl II
him: he laughed, too. She had spoke
70 with such grand serenity. IF yo
+ tell me to walk out of the door, sha
ii go"
y well, in five minutes. It's vel
as late"
,e 80, we weren't bred in Bayswater
is he reminded her.
is Il was in Chelsea"
n. so you say l think in heaven
e no. in Olympus, really
Have you said what you wanted
I say. cousin Harry"
No II suppose you hadn't the least i'd
he what you were doing?'
nd Il was as cool as you were wht
90 you gave me Blent.'
You're cool enough now. anyhow
at he admitted, in admiration of h
OIL parry.
he quite, thanks.
ad The hand behind her head trel
nj. bled sorely. She was not afraid of
W. blow any more--yes, for a nome
ri. she had been, and she had borne hi
no i'll will for the idea, false as it W
"a but his eyes were on her and &C
er fusion threatened to overwhelm t
composure of which she boosted.
GU Il gave you Blent because it W
yours
ne What offered you is mine.
Nv, "By God. no. Never yours to 81
till you've lost it,
ng With an effort to keep her pose,
words hummed through her head
Did you say that to jamie lver
re she mustered GOODNESS to ask hi
eft mockingly.
He thrust away the taunt with
its motion of his hand; one of Gainsb
to- ough's gimcracks fell, smashed
the floor. Cecily laughed, glad of
va excuse to seem at her ease.
ips Hang the thing! If you'd 10,
me, you'd have been ashamed to
INF. it,"
It'll Il was ashamed without loving y
ion cousin Harry"
20, do drop cousin Harry"
S WELL | proposed to. But .
nad wouldn't" Her only refuge now Y
a o. in the quips and verbal victori
had They served her well, for Harry, l
ion master of himself than usual. Y
ant hindered and tripped up by thu
1er Still, if we ever meet again, I'll
hat Harry if, you like.