Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-25
TRISTRAM OF BLENT &c
,s ,;;sy;;; ~" Being an Episode in the Story
HOPE of an Ancient House
Couldn't you have made a fight fc

chose TO let 1t go. Now don't go
on looking as if you didn't understand
the thing. It's simple enough"
But Lady Tristram--your mother
must have known"
The question didn't arrive as long
as my mother lived" said Harry
quickly. "Her title was all right. of
course"
There was another question On the
tip OF Bob's tongue, but after a glance
at Harry's face he did not put it.:
he could not ask Harry if he had
known.
I'm hanged" he muttered.
Yes, but you understand why I
came here?"
Yes. That was kind
20, no. | want to spike the majors
guns, you know" He laughed a
little. And, well yes, think Pm pro
noting the general happiness. too.
If you must know. Now I'm off.
Bob"
He held out his hand and Rob
grasped it. well meet again some
day, when things have settled
down. Beat Duplay for me, Bob. Good
bye"
That's grit, real grit" muttered
Bob, as he returned to the
mouse after seeing Harry Tristram on
his way.
1t was that-or else the intoxication
of some influences whose power had
not passed away. Whatever it was
1t had a marked effect on Bob Brad
ley There was an appearance of
strength and resolution about it-as
of man knowing what he meant to
do. and doing it.
In the afternoon he had his gig
brought around and set out for Blent.
mouth. AS he passed Blent Hall he
saw a girl on the bridge, a girl in
black looking down at the water. LADY
Iristram! 1t was strange to call her
by the title that had been another's.
she did not look up as he passed: he
retained a vision of the slack dreari-
ness of her pose. Going on. he met
the lVer carriage: liver and Neeld sat
in it, SIDE by side: they waved their
hands in careless greeting and went
on talking earnestly. He could not
tell. He had put his gig at the inn
and sauntered out into the street:
still he could not tell But he wander
ed out to Fairholme, up to the gate
and past it, and back to it. and past
it again.
Now, would Harry Tristrnm do
that? No; either he would never
have come or he would have
been inside before this. Bob rang the
bell
jamie was not denied to him but
only because no chance was given to
her of denying herself. A footman
of commissions external or
internal, showed him into the morn
ing room. But JAMES, own attitude
was plain enough in her reception
of him.
20, Bob, why in the world do you
come here, today? Indeed, I can't
talk to you today" Her .dismay was
evident. IF there's nothing very par
ticular-''
We'll, you know there is" Bob in
terrupted.
She turned her head quickly toward
him. Il know there is? What do you
mean"
You've got Harry Tristram's letter,
suppose?"
What do you know of Harry iris.
trans letter?'
II haven't seen it. but l know
what's in it all the same
How do you know?"
He came up to Mingham today and
told me-" Bob sat down by her. unin,
vited: certainly the belief in boldness
was carrying him far. But he did not
lutte anticipate the next development
She sprang up. sprang away from his
leighborhood crying:
Then, how dare you TO come here
.oday? Yes, I've got the letter-just
IN hour ago. Have you come TOTO
over me?'
What an extraordinary ideal" re-
marked Bob in the slow tones of a
genuine establishment.
You'd call it to condole, suppose!
That's rather worse
Bob confined himself to a long look
It her. 1t brought him no enlighten-
nent
You must see that you're the very
- She broke off abruptly, and,
urning away, began to walk up and
Town.
The very what?" Bob asked.
She turned and looked at him: she
'roke into peevish, nervous laugh.
anybody but Bob-really anybody but
'ob-would have known! The laugh |
Encouraged him a little-which again
had no right to do
II thought you'd be in trouble and
Ike bit Of cheering up, he said
With diplomatic air that was mdi-
rously obvious.
She considered a moment, tax /
ng another turn about the room to |
10 it.
What did Harry Tristram say to
our"
ooh, he told me the whole thing.
'hat-rhat he'd chucked it up. you
now.
Il mean about me?'
He didn't say much about YOU
ust that it was all ended, you
now"
Did he think l should accept his
Yes. he seemed quite sure of it,
answered Bob. Il had my doubts, but
e seemed quite sure of it." Appa-
entity Bob considered his statement |
eassuring and comforting.
You had your doubts?"
Yes, ! thought perhaps"
You Were wrong then. and Harry
'ristram was right" She flunggthe !
y0rdS at him in fia,aa !, n. t;I;+,, ssNr.,,, !