Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-07-04

i ouSly. L asked nef IL should give
you her love, and she said yes, with
her eyes, you know; she speaks most.
ly that way now. Well, she always
4 did a good deal, l expect" His smile
came on the last word
She sent her love to me?"
Yes. l told her what you did one
evening, and she liked that too''
81 hope Lady Tristram is-er-go-
ing on well?' asked Neeld.
She doesn't suffer. thank you"
Nina invited him in; there was an
appositeness in his coming which ap-
pealed to her, and she watched Neeld
with covert eagerness.
Harry looked around the room, then
vaulted over the sill.
MY uncle's playing golf. with Mr..
lver.' remarked Nina. "Tea?'
NO. Too sick-roomy. I'm for
nothing but strong drink, now-and
I've had some" He came to the mid.
die of the room. and stood between
them, flinging his hat on the table
where Mr.. Cholderton's Journal had
so lately lain. my mothers an ex.
| traordinary woman he went on, evi-
IDENTIFY so full of his thought that he
must speak it out She's dying joy
| fully"
After an instant Nina asked
"Why?" Neeld was surprised at the
boldness of the question, but Harry
took it as natural.
Its like going off guard mean,
rather, off duty-to her, think" He
made the correction thoughtfully and
with no haste. Life has always
seemed rather like an obligation to dc
things you don't want to--not that
she did them all And now she's
tired. She's glad to leave it to me.
Only she wishes l was a bit better
looking, though she won't admit it.
She couldn't stand downright ugly
man at Blent, you know. I've a sort
of notion" He seemed to forget
Neeld, and looked at Nina for sym
pathy- that she thinks she'll be
able to come and have a look at Blent
and me in it. all the same" His smile
took whimsical turn as he spoke OF
his mothers dying fancies.
Nina glanced at Mr.. Neeld: was the
picture visible to him that rose before
her eyes-of the poor sprite coming
eagerly, but turning sadly away when
she saw a stranger enthroned at Blent
and knew not where to look for her
homeless, landless son?
THE parson came TO see her yes
terday. He's not what you'd call an
unusual man, Nine. Zabriska, and she
is an unusual woman, you know. 1t
was-yes, it was amusing, and there's
an end of it." He paused and added.
by way of excuse, 20, know her SC
well, you see. She wouldn't be left
alone with him; she wanted another
sinner there
Nina marked the change in him
the new eXpansiveness, the new APP
peal for sympathy. He had forgotten
his suspicion and his watchfullress:
she was inclined to say that he had
forgotten himself. On her deathbe6
Addie Tristram had exerted her
charm once more-and over her own.
Once more man, whatever his own
position, thought mainly of her-anG
that man was her son. Did Neeld see
this? To Neeld it came as the strong
est reinforcement to those feelings
which babe him hold his peace 1t
seemed an appeal to him straight
from the deathbed in the valley be
low. Harry found the old gentle
mans gaze fixed intently upon him.
, Il beg your pardon for troubling
you with all this, Mr. Neeld," he said,
relapsing rather into his defensive
attitude. Madame Zabriska knows
my ways"
mo, l don't think l know this new
way of yours, at all" she objected.
"But l like it, Mr.. Tristram. l feel all
you DO. ! have seen her!" She
turned to Neeld. 20, how 1 wish you
had!" she cried.
Her earnestness stirred a little cur
iosity in Harry. He glanced with his
old wariness at Neeld But what
could he see save a kindly, precise
old gentleman who was unimportant
to him, but seemed interested in what
he said. He turned back to Nina,
asking:
ga new way of mine?"
"Weii, NOT quite. You were rather
like it once. But generally you've
got veil before your face. Or per.
haps you're really changed"
| He thought for moment Things
change a man." And he added, I'm
only 22.''
Eyes, 1 know" she smiled
though l constantly forget it all the
same"
"Well, 90, come the Both of July
said he. His eyes were on hers, his
characteristic smile on his lips. II
was a challenge to her.
Il shan't forget the date" she an
swered, returning his look, too. He
sighed slightly: he was assured that
she was with him.
The Goth of July. The editor of Mr.
Cholderton's Journal sat by listening;
he raised no voice in protest.
81 must get back" said Harry
walk with me to the dip of the hill.
With a glance of apology at Neeld
she followed him, and stepped out Of
the window; there were two steps
at the side leading up to it. "Fll be
back directly" she cried over hel
shoulder, as she joined Harry Trist
ram They walked to the gate which
marked the end of the terrace OF
which Merton stood.
I'm so glad you came. You do be
lieve in me now?" she asked.
Yes. And I'm not afraid. But dc
you know-it seems incredible to me
I'm not thinking of that now.
shall again directly when it's over
But now-well. Blent won't seen