Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-06-20
TRISTRAM OF BLENT I
. BY 90 Being an Episode in the Story
HOP. ~ of an Ancient House y


prominent, and his prerogative was
claimed; very soon he carried jamie
on for solitary walk in the shrub
berries. Nina enjoyed her uncle's
frown, and chafed at Bobs self-efface-
ment; he had been talking to jamie
when Harry calmly took her away.
The pair were gone half an hour. and
conversation tagged. They reappear-
ed, jamie looking rather excited, Har-
ry almost insolently calm, and sat
down side by side. The major walk
ed across and took a vacant seat on
the other side of jamie. The slightest
look of surprise showed on Harry
Tristram's face. A duel began. Du-
play had readiness, suavity, volubility.
a trick of flattering Difference; on
Harry's side were stronger sugges-
| ton of power, and an assumption.
rather attractive, that he must be lis
| tened to. jamie liked this air of his,
even while she resented it; here, In
| his own country at least Tristram
of Blent was somebody. Bob Broad
ley was listening to Iver's views on To-
cal affairs; he was not in the fight at
| all, but he was coyertly watching it..
The fortune of battle seemed to in
cline to Harry's side; tho major was
left out of the talk for minutes, to-
gether. More for fun than from 10y
atty to her kinsman, Nina rose and
walked over to Harry.
do take me to see the green
houses, Mr.. Tristram," she begged.
You're all right with uncle, aren't
you, Janie?"
jamie nodded rather nervously. AZ
ter pause of full half minute Har.
ry Tristram rose without a word and
began to walk off; it was left for Nina
to join him in hurried little run. 20,
wait for me, anyhow she cried with
a laugh.
They walked on some way in 81.
lence. Tristram. / suppose you're
angry with me?"
He turned and looked at her; pres.
emily he began to smile, even more
about him. l hate him!"
slowly, it seemed, than usual
81 must see that my poor uncle has
fair play-what do you call it?-a fair
show-mustn't II"
20, that's what you meant, Madame
Zabriska? 1t wasn't the pleasure OF
my company.
do you know, l think you rather
exaggerate the pleasure-no, not the
pleasure mean the honor of your
company? You were looking as II
you couldn't understand how anybody
could want to talk to uncle when you
were there. But he's better looking
than you are and much more anus
ing"
/ Il don't set up for a beauty or wit
either" Harry observed, not at all put
out by the Imp's premeditated can
DOR
mo, and still she ought to want tc
talk to you! Why? Because you're
Mr.. Tristram, / supposed" Nina in
dulged in very scornful demeanor.
| Its very friendly of you to resent
my behavior on Miss Iver's behalf
There you are again! That
means she doesn't resent it. / think
/ you give yourself airs, Mr.. Tristram
and should like
ITO take me down a peg?" he ask
ed, in tone of rather contemptuous
amusement.
Sh paused a minute and Their
nodded significantly.
4 Exactly, and to make you feel q
little uncomfortable, not quite so sure
of yourself and everything about
i you"
!, upon my word l don't see how
it's to be DONE" He was openly chat
fing her now.
80, don't know that you're invul
nerable," she said, with a toss Of hel
head. Don't defy me, Mr.. Tristram
don't mind telling you that it would
be very good for you if you weren't
Appreciated" he suggested iron
ically.
/ mo; was going to say if yor
weren't Mr.. Tristram or the future
Lord Tristram of Blent."
;. If she had hoped to catch him of
his guard, she was mistaken. Not G
culver passed over his face as he re
marked:
81 am afraid Providence can hardly
manage that now, either for my goot
or for your amusement. Madame
Zabriska, much as it might conduce
to both"
The Imp loved fighting, and hel
blood was getting up. He was gooG
foe, but he did not know her power
Meanwhile" he continued, as he
lit cigarette. I'm not seriously dis
appointed that attentions paid to one
lady fail to please another. That's
not uncommon, you know. By the
way, WSIS uOL Ou Lie pdlu W Iut
greenhouses, but you don't mind that,
They were pretext. no doubt? o
don't want to hurry back. YOU
uncle shall have his fair show. How
well you're mastering English!"
At this moment Nina hated him
heartily; she swore to humble him
before herself, not before the world
of course; she would give him fright
anyhow--not now, but some day: II
her temper could not stand the strain
better, it would be some day soon
though
by the way, I'm so sorry yor
couldn't see my mother when yor
called the other day. She's not at al
well, unhappily. She really wants t.
see you"
How very kind of Lady Tristram!'
There was kept for the mother little
of the sarcastic humility which was
more appropriate when directed
against the son. Harry smiled still as
he turned round and began to escort
her back to the lawn. The smile an
; noyed Nina; it was smile of victory
, Well, the victory should not be alto
gether his