Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-10-03
CHAPTER XVII,

AS they we're actually in the room,
there was nothing for Paula to do but
receive them with the best grace she
could command. She came forward
to meet the Duke with hand out
stretched, but she held herself rigidly
as though on guard against any warm
er greeting. The attitude did not es-
cape him, and its Significance con.
flrmed him In the feeling that he was
right In what he proposed to do.
While the three women withdrew
at q nod from Trafford, Paula stood
before Wiltshire trying to cover up
her embarrassment with smiling cor
daily.
ut had to be done, you know she
said, spreading her hands apart in a
gesture Of arolopv. Gwen wedding
dresses have to fit
eff you have to wear them" Wilt
shire added, trying to smile in res
ponse
"And as I'm going to do So"
Paula began.
We've come in to talk about that
Wiltshire said bluntly.
Talk about-what?" She looked
wonderingly as she spoke from the
Duke to her father.
wiltshire thinks you'd rather not
marry him." Trafford declared with
Intentional directness of attack
ooh. how can he? You both know
that I'm doing it-willingly."
tits precisely because I do know
that that I'm wondering whether I
should let you," Wiltshire said gent.
ly.
But thought you-wanted to-"
ut isn't question of what | want,
Paula. It's the far bigger question Of
what's right. And I've come to the
conclusion that it isn't right for me
to let you throw away your life for
mine"
rs it because you saw me at Mr..
Winship's yesterday that you bring
this up now? Papa, dear" she added
turning to Trafford. II went to see
Mr.. Winship yesterday. I felt that
had right to do it. I wanted to bid
him goodbye. 1t it," she continued
looking again at Wiltshire-"is it be.
cause Of that that you want toto
release me?"
~ know why you went there. AS
you say. 1t was to bid him goodbye.
But If you hadn't loved him you
wouldn't have wanted to do it,
There was no reproach in Wilt
shire's tone, He tried to keep out Of
1t everything but mere statement
of the fact.
Il do love him." Paula said, after
minutes hesitation. II needn't
deny it. A lot of people know it.
Your sister knows it, and papa,
and"
~ swear I didn't, Paula" Trafford
cried. Il thought you had given the
man up"
$50 I have. papa. But don't you re.
member that I told you I should al
ways love him-even if I married
some one else
You see, then" Wiltshire began.
"But that doesn't keep me from
loving YOU" she went on, quickly
just as much as I've always loved
you. Only 1t isn't the same thing. 1t
isn't even the same sort of thing. If
you think I've changed towards you,
Duke, or that / don't want to keep
my word you're quite wrong
But don't think SO. Paula. L
know you're ready to marry me, an.
! know you'd do it from the highest
motives that can rule in human con-
duct, but / couldn't have the heart of
man to allow you to do IT.
Let's sit down." Trafford suggest
ed, with something like groan.
When they had taken seats. Wilt.
shire defined the situation between
them. He took the responsibility for
1t entirely upon himself. He had
practically laid trap for her. He had
placed her in a position in which It
had been almost impossible for her