Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-08-31

can do: they can sew. they can make
cake, and they can put up pickles. |
Why on earth should they want to
do painting"
But painting is useful thing"
Paula interrupted, a little warmly.
Exactly. And that brings me
right to the thing came in to say |
/ know what's been On your mind
ever since last night. I know it, be [
cause its been on my mind, too. |
always feel for those cases where
there's been a previous
with the family. so to speak know
it's Uncle Traffcrd's wish that we
should make things as easy for them
as We can. Now, why shouldn't you
have this Mr.. Winship paint your por,
trait"
"Oh, Laura, Couldn't" the girl
cried, flushing.
"Couldn't?" OF course you could
It's the thing to do. He could paint
you and the Duke and me and our
little Paul, and perhaps l might evnn
get George to sit to him. l suppose
Aunt Trafford never would. Anyhow,
he could do all of US, and we'd pay
him very good prices--nothing fabu-
but what for him would be generous
prices. Just thing of all 1t would
mean to him! wouldn't be only the
be a great dealt would be the re.
elaine. the advertisement It would
pose him before the world; it would
set him up for life. Then we should
be rid Of the worry OF thinking about
him. OF course. can see 1t would be
bore to you,' she added, as Paula
still seemed to hesitate, "but people
like ourselves with the responsibility
of wealth upon, them, can't stop at
duty merely because it's a bore
You're wonderful woman, Laura"
Paula said at last, her eyes suffussd
with that Celtic softness which is
midway between smiles and tears.
you've such good ideas, and such
sound ones. won't say that I'll do
| it, but I'll think it over. But If /
come to it," she went on, stammer.
ing slightly, ''you-mustn't think
that 1t is because have any doubt
Iof-of-father."
| AS she uttered the last words there
came sharp rap at the door AMI
Paul Trafford himself entered.
CHAPTER V.
| He strobe in with his characteristic
air OF command, and Paula, spring
ing up, threw her arms about him
The two were always expressive In
their affection for each other, but
this morning there was in Paulas
"Oh papa!" variety of emotions Of
which she herself could have given
but confused account. 1t was as
II she had received him back again
after the nightmare of having lost
him. He clasped her to him, looking
down at her with that kind of i'm
pressive tenderness for which very
strong faces alone have the capacity.
! 1t was no wonder that She was
proud Of him-this handsome giant
of over six feet three, before whom all
the fast barred gates Of life had yield
ed. Even age seemed powerless to
lay more than the lightest hand upon
him. His sixty-f1ve years had deep
ened the lines on his rocklike face,
and brought little gray into the
mustache that curving upward reveal
ed the set Of the close lips, but they
4 had done little more. The hair was
scarcely silvered, and the eyes still
had the vivacity Of an eager, stern
faced boys. They were the STrafforl
eyes-blue with black lashes. and in
his case, with heavy, overhanging
brows.
Paula slipped from his embrace,
and they exchanged the usual morn.
ing greetings. Traffbrd kissed his
niece, and inquired for George and lit
tie Paul. 1t was clear to the two
women, accustomed to observe the
slightest sign Of his wishes, that he
had come on some special errand 50
and the Duke were to lunch with
George and herself at Ciro's, made
some excuse for running away.
i Paula resumed her seat, while her
father moved about the room with I'M
usual restlessness.
That's a pretty thing you've got
on" he observed, coming back to her
side. Amt you looking a little pale
to-day?" he continued, strohing hel
cheek whats all this?"
He turned over, with a toss, the
} letters of petition she had opened
and with characteristic attention tc
small details, ran his eye over them
"You might send something there,
he advised, land there. | wouldn't
pay any regard to that. You might In
quire into this one; and of course. you
must see that that poor little French
girl has what comfort you can give
her. I'm going to Vienna" he finish
ed, abruptly ooh no papa!" she
pleaded. mot now Not just now!'
~ must, dear. I've tried to get Out
of it, but there are very large inter
ests at stake, and I'm obliged to CO.
He drew a small chair towards
her and sat down. With his arms
} folded on the table. he looked across
at her. Before that gaze her own fell
: 1t was as though the mingling d
strength and alteration in 1t were toe
, much for her to support withou'
flinching. The roselike color came ant
| went in her cheek, and stole up int
her white, blue-veined temples, whilt
Paula Trafford wondered, as he die
: ten times every day, how it was that
hi 1T fet.