Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1903-12-12

week to think it over. If l. decided to
go would be in Boston on a certain
day. ! would bring my trunk and
would stop at a certain hotel and send
word for him to come to me. l used
all possible secrecy in getting my
clothes ready, and packed them away,
as | thought, unnoticed, in my trunk,
which was in the attic. Mrs. Putnam
must have suspected that I intended to
leave home, and she knew that l would
not go unless to meet her son. The
day before l planned going to Boston.
or rather the night before, she entered
my while 4 was asleep, took ev-
cry particle of my clothing, with the
exception of one house dress and a
pair of slippers, and locked me in.
They kept me there for a week, and /
wished that l had died there, for when
they came to me it was to tell me that
Jones was dead, and l was the cause
of it. l who loved him sol" And the
girls eyes filled with tears.
What was the cause of his death?"
asked Quincy.
HE was young, healthy, and care
less" answered Indy. "He took a
bad cold and it developed into lung
fever. Even then he claimed it was
nothing and would not see a doctor.
One morning he did not come to the
office, his clerk went to his room, but
when the doctor was called it was too
late. It was very sad that he should
die SO, believing that I had refused to
go with him, when I would have given
my life for him. He loved me till
death. He left me all his money, but
in his will he expressed the wish that
I would never accept a dollar from his
parents. So now you see why Mrs.
Putnam does not make me her heiress.
You think / hate Miss Pettengill be-
cause she is going to give it to her, but
truly I do not, Mr.. Sawyer. What I
said when you came in I really meant
and I hope you will be happy, Mr.. Saw
yer, even as I hoped to be years ago."
Quincy had been greatly interested
in Lindy's story, and that feeling of
sympathy for the unhappy and suffer,
ing that always shows itself in a true
gentleman rose strongly in his breast.
miss Putnam" said he. 81 have
wronged you both in thought and &C.
ton, but I never suspected what you
have told me. Will you forgive me
and allow me to be your friend? ]
will try to atone in the future for my
misdoings in the past"
He extended his hand, and Lindy
laid hers in his.
II care not for the past" said she
81 will forget that. I have also to ask
/. for forgiveness. I, too, have said and
; done many things which I would not
have said or done. but for womanly
spite and vanity. You see my excuse
!. is not so good as yours" said she, as
! she smiled through her tears.
. in what way can serve you?
asked Quincy. "Why do you not &C
to Boston and live? could introduce
5 you to many pleasant families"
= What" cried Indy. ME, a wal
and a stray, You are too kind-heart
! ed, Mr.. Sawyer. l shall not leave the
{ woman every one but you thinks tt
be my mother. When she is dead | shall
leave E%astborough never to return. M,
sole object in life from that day vii
be to find some trace OF my parents o
d relatives. Now it may happen tina
= THROUGH Mrs. Putnam or Miss Petten
d gill you may get some clew that will
help me in my search. 1t is for this tina
S I wish a friend. and l have a present.
ment that some day you will be abb
e to help me-"
l. Quincy assured her that if it lay II
l. his power any time to be of assistance
to her. she could count upon him.
o by the way. Miss Putnam" said he
"how did your investment with Eos
& Follansbee urn out? | heard a ri
n nor that the stock fell, and you los
G considerable money"
Indy flushed painfully. 1T di
v drop, Mr.. Sawyer. but it rallied AGAR
as you call it. and when they sold GU
o for me l made nearly 5000; but" an
she looked pleadingly up into Quincy
L. face, you have forgiven me for tina
as we'll as for my other wrong doings.
t, For everything up to date" sal
% Quincy. laughing.
IS At that instant a loud pounding wa
y, heard on the floor above.
a. Mrs. Putnam is knocking for you,
- said Indy. Miss Pettepgill must b
d ready to go home. Good-by. Mr.. Saw
1t yer, and do not forget your unhapp
friend"
re 81 promise to remember her and he
quest" said Quincy.
' He gave the little hand extended I
him a slight pressure and ran up th
stairs. AS he did so he heard the pa
ID Tor door close behind him.
M AS they were driving home. Alic
several times took what appeared to
e. a letter from her muff adj held it Il
ne as though trying to read it. Quinc
glanced towards her.
ou "Mr. Sawyer, can you keep a 8
cret?" asked Alice.
" Il have a big one on my mind now
ne replied Quincy. that l would like
Id confide to some one"
d. why don't your" asked Alice.
ne AS soon as | a find a persc
to whom | think can fully sympathi;
,r- with me l shall do SO, but for the pr
1t sent l mus bear my burden i'll {
as %lence," said he.
OF Il hope you will not have to wa
a long before finding that sympathet
Y: friend" remarked Alice.
VS. Il hope so, too he replied. But
er have not answered your question, Mi
nv Pettengill. If ] can serve you by sha
rs ing a secret with you, it shall be sa
de with me-
or. will you promise not to speak of
,2. not even to me?" she asked.
IF you wish it I will prom e.
nd answered.