Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1901-06-27

mind ana Sne spoke Saulf. MI.
Tristram Will succeed to the throne
soon now"
Neeld looked at her as if he were
about to speak, but he said nothing
and his eyes wandered back to Harry
again.
They're friends-Miss liver and
he?" he asked at last.
I 20, it's no secret that he wants to
marry her"
"And does She"
Nina laughed, not very naturally.
cts something to be Lady Tristram
of Blent.'
Harry wanted to marry jamie liver!
With sudden revulsion of feeling,
Neeld wished himself far from Blent-
mouth. However, it was his duty to
talk to this sharp little foreign wo-
man, and he meant to try. A few po-
lite questions brought him to the
point of inquiring her nationality.
/ 20, we're Swiss, French Swiss. But
| was born at Heidelberg. My moth
err lived there after my father died.
My uncle, who lives with me, Major
Duplay, is her brother; he was in the
Swiss service"
] "a pleasant society at Heidelberg, l
dare say?"
Rather dull" said Nina. 1t seem
ed much the same at Blentmouth at
the moment.
liver strolled out from his study on
to the lawn. He cast glance toward
his daughter and Harry, frowned
slightly, and sat down on Minas 9th
err side. He had newspaper in his
hand, and he held it up as he spoke
to Neeld across Nina.
Il Your books promised for the 18th,
1 see, Neeld.'
YES, it's to be out then"
Nina was delighted at being pre-
, scented with topic. Sometimes it is
the most precious of gifts.
, 80, Mr.. Neeld, have you written a
, book? How interesting! What is
: 1t? A novel?"
my dear Madame Zabriska!" muir,
INJURED Neeld, feeling as If he were
being made fun of. "And it's not
, really my book I've only edited it,
But that's just as good" Nina in
sisted amiably. do tell me what i,
+, is"
Here you are, Nina. There's 6
full title and description for you
!, There's nothing else in the paper
liver handed it to her with stitlet
3 yawn. She read it and turned tt
1 Neeld with a quick jerk of her head
S Journal and Correspondence of 10
siah Cholderton," she repeated. 20
l -Oh,-but-well that is curious
a Why, we used to know MI. Cholder
q toni"
"You knew Mr.. Cholderton?" SAIL
Mr.. Neeld in mild surprise. Then
a with recollection he added, 20, a
Heidelberg, dare say? But you mus
l have been child?"
e Eyes, 1 was. Does he talk abou
= Heidelberg?"
HE mentions it once or twice." Il
u spite of himself Neeld began to fee
: that he was within measurable dis
= lance of getting on difficult ground
u "What fun if he mentioned me
y o, but of course he wouldn't say any
i = thing about a child of s."
~ The slightest start ran throug
"a Neeld's figure; it passed unnoticed
N he looked sharply at Nina Zabrisk;
. HE knew my mother quite well
4 he used to come and see us: Does b
&c mention her-Mme. de Kries?"
-. There was perceptible pause
). then Neeld answered primly: --
n I'm agraid you won't find YOU
ly mothers name mentioned in NJ
h Cholderton's journal, Nine Zabriska
40 "How horrid!" remarked Min'
greatly disappointed; she regarde
,y Mr.. Neeld with new interest all th
or same.
IN They were both struck with tn
lie strange coincidence as it seemed
at them, though in fact it was not pro
th erly coincidence at all, that the
in should meet at Blentmouth.
III you're sure he says nothing abol
ry us?" she urged.
ay you'll not find a word" he r
ct piled, sticking to the form of asse
lis ton that salved his conscience. f
d. looked across the lawn again, b
re jamie and Harry had disappeare
It's among the bushes.
ct You're sort of old acquaintances
as secondhand, them" said liver, SIN
ed ing. "Cholderton's the connectil
ry link"
lis "He didn't like me-" remarked n
er ma. HE used to call me the Imp"
ny Eyes, yes" said Neeld, in absel
it minded acquiesence. "Yes, t
M Imp"
'ss you don't seem much surprised
cried Nina in mock indignation.
he Surprised" He started more
ull olently. 20, yes-I-I-of cour
to I'm" A laugh from his host sp;
dy ed him the effort of further apo
on gies. But he was a good deal shs
OK en-; had very nearly betrayed /
ac- knowledge of the Imp. Indeed
ay could not rid himself of the idea tn
OF there was very inquisitive look
AT Madame Zabriska's large eyes.
oc Mine risl6ed one more questie
a., ar put very carelessly.
pe Il think he must have met La
ne Tristram there once or twice. Dc
). i 81 he say anything about herr"
~ mot a word" said Neeld, graspi
o oni the nettle firmly this time.
e eaa Nina took another look at him,
'nu he blinked resolutely behind
~ glasses.
HIS We'll, it's just like Mr.. Choldert
~ to leave out all the INTEREST,"
,oh things" she observed resigned
AN AN only wonder why you. edit his bo
,at if it's like that, you know"