Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1906-12-22
II wish papa felt as sure of this as

II wish papa felt as sure of this as
you do" she said. For some reason
he does not seem to take any comfort
from my Improvement. When Doctor
Freligh says, Well, we'll! we are get
ting on finely today notice that he
does not look less anxious, nor does
he even meet these encouraging words
with smile. Haven't you noticed it?
He looks as care-worn and troubled
about me now as he did the first day
was taken sick. Why should he? Is
it because he has lost so many chill
dren he can not believe In his good
fortune at having the most insig-
nificant of all left to him."
Il do rDt know your father very
WE'LL" protested; "and can not Judge
what is going on In his mind. But he
must see that you are quite different
girl from what you were week ago,
and that. If nothing unforeseen hap
pens, your recovery will only be a
matter of week or two longer"
"Oh, how I love to hear you say
that To be we'll again! To read
letters!" she murmured, "and to
write them" And saw the delicate
hand falter up to pinch the precious
packet awaiting that happy hour. I
did not like to discuss her father with
her, so took this opportunity to turn
the conversation asideSin safer chan
nels. But we had not proceeded far
before Mr.. Grey returned and, taking
his stand at the foot of the bed, re-
marked. after moments gloomy con-
temptation of his daughters face:
you are better today, the doctor
says,-I have just been telephoning to
him. But do you feel well enough for
me to leave you for few days? There
is man must see-must go to, IL
you have no dread of being left alone
with your good nurse and the doctors
constant attendance
Miss Grey looked startled. Doubt.
less she found 1t difficult to under
stand what man In this strange coun-
try could interest her father enough
to induce him to leave her while he
was yet laboring under such solicit
tude. But smile speedily took the
place Of her look Of surprised inquiry
and she affectionately exclaimed:
"Oh, haven't the least dread in the
world, not now. See, can hold up
my arms. Go, papa, go; 1t will give
me chance to surprise you with my
good looks when you come back"
He turned abruptly away. He was
suffering from an emotion deeper than
he cared to acknowledge. But he
gained control over himself speedily
and, coming back, announced with
forced decision:
II shall have to go tonight. I have
no choice. Promise me that you will
not go back in my absence; that you
will strive to get well; that you will
put all your mind into striving to get
we'll"
Indeed, I WILL" she answered, lit
tie frightened by the feeling he
showed. Don't worry so much. I
have more than one reason for living,
papa"
He shook his head and went immed-
lately to make his preparations for
departure. His daughter gave one
sob, then caught me by the hand.
"You look dumfounded," she said.
"But never mind, we shall get on very
| well together. have the most per-
feet confidence in YOU
Was 1t my duty to let the inspector
know that Mr.. Grey anticipated alb.
senting himself from the city for a
few days? / decided that would
only be impressing my own doubts up
on him after rebuke which should
have allayed them.
Yet, when Mr.. Grey came to take
his departure wished that the in
spector might have been a witness to
his emotion, If only to give me one OF
| his very excellent explanations. The
parting was more like that of one who
sees no immediate promise of return
than of traveller who intends to limit
! his stay to few days. He looked her
in the eyes and kissed her a dozen
| times, each time with an air Of heart.
break which was good neither for her
nor for himself, and when he finally
tore himself away it was to look back
at her from the door with an expires.
sion l was glad she did not see, or II
would certainly have interfered with
the promise she had made to concen
trate all her energies on getting well
| What was at the root of his extreme
grief at leaving her? Did he fear the
person he was going to meet, or were
his plans such as involved a much
longer stay than he had mentioned:
Did he even mean to return at all?
All, that was the question:! Did he
intend to return, or had been the I'm.
conscious witness Of a fight?
CHAPTER XVII.