Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-25

his silence, to speak of the hard case
he was in, of the accidental and con-
tidential character of his knowledge.
Neither Nina nor her uncle even ap-
peared to hear him. liver seemed to
listen patiently and courteously, but
his mind, too, was distracted, and he
did Eot cease fidgeting with Harry
Tristram's letter, and referring ever
and again to it's brief, sufficient mes
sage.
81 daresay I was wron.i. The
position was very difficult" said
Neeld.
Yes, yes said liver in an absent
tone. Difficult, no doubt, Neeld. both
for you and Nina. And now he has
he has given up the game himself. Or
was his hand forced?'
No" flashed out Nina, restored in
moment to animation, her fighting
stincts awake again. He'd never
have been forced. He must have done
it OF his own accord"
But why?" Again he turned to the
letter. And why does he write to
you?"
Because he knew | knew about
| it. He didn't know that Mr.. Neela
did"
"And this-this Lady Tristram of
Blent?" Iver's voice was hesitating
and conscious as he pronounced the
name that was to have become his
daughters.
Again the pink-rihboned Deus made
entry on the scene, to give the speak
er a more striking answer.
"a lady to see you ma'am. Miss
Gainsborough."
The three men sprang to their feet,
with sudden wrench Nina turned
her chair around toward the door. A
tall, slim girl in black came in with a
quick yet hesitating step.
Forgive me, Madam Zabriska. But
l had to come. Harry said you were
his friend. Do you know anything
about him? Do you know where he
is?' She looked at the men and
blushed as she returned their bow
with a hurried recognition.
mo, | haven't seen him. l know
nothing" said Nina.
"The letter, Nina Duplay re-
minded her, and Nina held it out to
Cecily.
Cecily came forward, took and read
| it. She looked again at the group, evil
NASiilis PuZLiCu.
He doesn't say where he's gone"
she said.
You ARE" liver began.
I'm Cecil Gainsborough. But think
he means me when he says Lady iris
tram of Blent."
Eyes, he must mean you, Miss
Gainsborough."
yes: because last night he told
mn
their faces, and she re-read the letter.
DO you know anything about it?"
she demanded imperiously. Tell me,
do you know what he means by this
letter, and whether what he says is
true?"
I'VE know what he means," answer
ed Iver gravely, "and we know that
it's true"
Have you known it long?' she
asked
Iver glanced at Duplay and Neeld.
| It was Neeld who answered gently
Some of us have been sure of it for
some time. But" He looked at Nina
before he went on. But we didn't in
tend to speak"
Cecil stood there, seeming to con.
sider and for moment meeting Mi.
mas intense gaze, which had never
left her face.
Had he known for long?" was her
next question.
1t met with no immediate answer.
Dnplay rose abruptly and walked to
the mantlepiece: he leaned his arm
on it and turned half away from the
group at the table.
Had he known for long," Cecily
repeated
Ever so long" answered Nina Ia
briska in low voice, but very conf
IDENTIFY.
"Ah. he was waiting till Lady Iris.
tram died.
Iver nodded; he thought what she
suggested a very good explanation to
accept. 1t was plausible and sensible;
it equipped Harry Tristram with a
decent excuse for his past silence and
sound reason for the moment of
his disclosure. He looked at Neeld
and found ready acquiescence in the
old gentleman's approving nod. But
Nina broke out impatiently:
No, no; that had nothing to do
with it, He never meant to speak.
Blent was all the world to him. He,
never meant to speak" A quick re-
HeIHOrdEce HaSneu across ner. Were
you with him in the long gallery last
night?" She cried. with him. there
for hours?"
Yes, we We're there" a
yes, saw you from the terrace
here. Did he tell you there?"
He told me there" There was en-
barrassment as well as wonder in her
manner now.
Well, then. you must know why he
told YOU We don't know Nina was
very peevish. What were you doing
in the gallery?"
Il was looking at the things there
and-and admiring them. He came up
and-I don't remember that
he said very much. He watched me:
then he asked me if | loved the
things. And-well, then he told me.
He told me and went straight out of |
the room. waited long while, but
he didn't come back. and | haven't !
spoken to him since" She looked at |
each of them in turn, as though some
one might be able to help her with |
the puzzle"
somehow you made him do it
YOU said Nina Zabriska.
Slowly Cecily'S ewes settled on MI |