Missouri Valley times. [volume] (Missouri Valley, Iowa) 1874-1931, 1904-10-27

him, had left no trace behind. His
freshness of spirit and mental youth
fulness We're contagious. Out of the
fulness of his health he seemed tc
strengthen others. Melancholy van-
ished in his presence, pessimism gave
place to hope at his approach, the sun
shine of his gracious manner bright
ened others, so that he was welcomed
by all and loved by many.
Independent, if not wealthy. lord OF
nimself. without tics or responsibilities
he had travelled through every country
of Europe, obtaining the experiences
realizing the pleasures which foreign
scenes afford. For by constant move
ment he strove to sul,dle and to OK
haust the fear of loneliness. the sense
of restlessness. the pain of longing
which. unknown to and unsupported by
the world. had possessed him since
youth and had strengthened With ma
turity.
And now on the eve of a journey to
the east-the land of color, luxury and
romance. which had ever possessed a
fascination for his impression
able temperament-he had come
TO say farewell to the friend
and companion of his boy
hood, to her. whom he had loved, whom
he now loved. who With her daughter
We're his sole relatives.
40 Az e5etHSI tlbIsot-I.lIS lSISsaS llit
den With its grass plots and its flower
beds crowded with early chrNsanthe-
NUNS, white bouvardea. and late roses
looking dim and shadowy in the faling
twilight of this September evening, he
thought of his past-that idle. profit
less. pleasant past, which under other
circumstances and guided by better in
huences. might have been so different !:
nay, might yet be changed, if but the
light and guidance of the woman he
loved were his; IL but her stronger
nature would mould him to her ideal
and raise him to her level But that
he dared not hope would be, no matte,
how he longed.
And suddenly, through his day
at dress, and he turned quickly to
meet his hostess as she entered with
a smiling face and outstretched hands.
will you forgive me?" she said. and
her gentle voice seemed to sooth the
troubled current of his mind.
Certainly. know l am unfashion-
ably punctual," he replied.
Il hope you don't say that in re-
proach." remarked Olive Dnmbarton,
archly. "One doesn't stand on cere-
mony with relatives. The fact is,
have been so busy correcting proof
sheets that | had no idea is was so late
until Veronica came to call me-
Proofs of your new novel, I sup
pose?" he said.
Yes. I have almost finished them. y
congratulate you"
All. If YOU only knew how tiresome
and stupid the book seensi | tremble
when l think of what the critics may
say"
You have no cause to fear. But
you are overweight. for as usual, |
dare say you have been working too
hard"
That's what DIR. Quave. my friend
and neighbor says, but then my work
is the one thing in the world which
gives me pleasure, and" she added sad
~. with the exception eff Veronica, the
only object for which live"
'Olvc" he exclaimed. Il sudden wave
OF emotion oversetting and surrounding
his usual tranquility, the tone in which
he uttered her name revealing his feel
ings.
II she understood this she made no
sign of her perception and Knowledge,
Here is Veronica" she said as her
daughter, girl of seventeen, entered
the room"
you grow bigger every time 1 see
you," said valerius, when by an ef-
fort he had recovered himself. and Rad
shaken hands With the girl.
And more like mother?" she queried
Yes" he answered, rather from a
desire TO please her than from II sense
of conviction. The fact is, Olive" he
added, you will have to present her
as your sister, for no one will believe
she is your daughter
Il prefer being her daughter" re-
marked Veronica, laughingly.
Then servant appearing at the
door, Mrs. Dumbarton said:
Take me to dinner Valerius''
And will bring up the rear" added
Veronica merrily.
The dining room with it's panels OF
walnut richly and boldly carved. its
Spanish tapestry, dim with age, Its
beamed ceiling painted in Pompelien
red and imperial purple, was lighted
by clusters of candles in sconces of
silver. and by single central lamp,
whose verlnillion shade flung rosy
radiance on the table. with its Vene-
tian glass, Belati ware and masses of
Parma violets.
And when Will your novel be pub
lished?" asked Galbraith as the SCUM
was removed.
Next month; autumn is the best
time for publication"
The same publisher"
Yes. George Bostock"
You trust him?''
Implicitly. Why do you ask?" she
queried wonderingly.
Il can scarcely say. One hears SO
much about publishers nowadays Is
there not society especially organized
for keeping them in order? OF course,
there are publishers and publishers, as
George Bostock-"
But do" she said warmly. HE is
a gentleman, a man of honor, and
u am very glad" Galbraith replied
fearful he had displeased her. Il meie e.
ly thought Of him in connection with
your interests you know"
They are quite safe in his hands,"
That's satisfactory. You have made
big hit from the first. For my part
don't know which l like best-your
short stories or your novels; but at all
events, ] feel quite proud of my dis
ttnguished cousin
When ! see my mothers photo
graphs In the shop windows and her
books on the railway stalls. feel that
an the world must know u.s." remarked
veronica with an dir Of satisfaction.
"And yet probably never should
have written If necessity had not COM
PEELED me-" the authoress said grave
ly.
What lucky necessity" Galbraith
answered.
A sudden silence fell upon the table.
Mrs. Dumbarton bowed her head. va
!erius, conscious that he had made an
inappropriate remark. became con-
fused, while Veronica looked from one
to the other inquiringly.
MY sole reason for referring to the
necessity for work. the authoress re.
mark. was to point a moral, which Is.
We never know what we can do Until