Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-20

bility for Henry that would engage
his interest and surely win him away
from his old, reckless way Of living.
The morning slipped away WITH its
many demands on his first day IN
town. His hanson turned into Sloane
Street only as a clock near by struck
two, In a few minutes the door Of the
Pont Street house was opened to him,
and he was ushered into the library.
He dropped lightly into an arm
chair near table heaned with books.
Suddenly door opened as thuugn at
the end Of corridor. He datinotly
heard VOTES raised in strong argu,
rent beh i'll the hGngirss; me houn,'-
ed like Henry's; half-suppresser
oath followed.
tits no useS' the voice went on,
you must do as say. Don't preach. :"
He could not hear the words that fol.
lowed Jim wished it we're possible
to make known his presence in the
room. He crossed to the farther win
dow to avoid hearing the remainder
Of the conversation, but the clear and
incisive words of the first speaker
| this time Jim knew 1t was Henry
again struck his ears sharply.
81 must have the money, Petrie;
make what explanation you like, but
send it to me within week. It's USE
less arguing. I've lost heavily In
| speculation. Here are the papers"
The opening and slamming Of several
drawers followed To Jim the words
that he had just heard were like a
knell to his hopes of the past week
for Diana's happiness. So this was
the truth! Another mortgage! File
knew enough of the involved condi-
ton of the estate to dread the posi-
bilities of that word.
AS Jim sat in the window.seat fac
| ing the street, he was so absorbed in
his reflections that he did not hear the
door open. With a start he felt q pair
of hands clasped over his eyes.
"Guess!" the low voice said.
He answered quickly, "Di!"
eyes, it's Di, Jim; and such a happy
Di to see you again"
AS he turned he half expected to
see the tiny child as he had last seen
her, with the puppy in her arms call
ing, tits Di, jim" For a moment
they stood holding each others hands
and only the eyes of the two spoke.
The thoughts Of both tnvoluntarily
went back to their last meeting. They
realized that unconsciously they had
taken up their childhood manner
Slowly their hands unclasped and
Diana was the first to speak
ooh, Jim, should hardly know you
You are so big, so strong, and yet
you look as though you had been very
Ill; have you?
She studied Jim's face closely, gaunt
and drawn, but with the eyes still like
gray pools of suppressed fire. Jim
forgot the troubled thoughts that
Henry's words had aroused. He only
knew that Diana stood before him
young and beautiful. He threw back
his head and laughed; it was the ring
Ing, joyous laugh of boy.
"And almost thought, as turned
that could see my little Dr." he said
The memory Of the delicate child
faded into the tall, strong figure before
him. Quickly he noted the conplexi
ties Of her face; it's newly acquired
look of womanhood seemed curiously
incongruous with the rest of her per
sonality. He saw in her eyes haunt
Ing expression Of marked patience
The new acquaintance of the grown
man and woman had adjusted itself.
Oh, Jim, I'm 80 proud of YOU
Diana said, gravely. "You have really
done something with your life that IL
worth while"
Which means. I suppose. that the
rest Of us have not" voice said.
Jim and Diana turned as Henr,
spoke. He was standing in the door
way. Jim noticed with satisfaction
that his eyes rested on Diana in I'm
questionable qualification. Perhaps
after all, Henry's love for Diana was
real He remembered that his aun'
In her letter had written Of her grea
faith in this marriage for Henry's hap
piness-indeed, he well remembered
that the letter seemed to insist upoI
the benefits Henry would derive from
the marriage. He wondered what i
- meant for Diana.
welcome to the hero" Henry chat
fingly said. as he crossed to Jinl's side
An underlying nervous excitement
at once apparent to Jim, chung tt
Henry's manner. Otherwise his greet
ing was more than reassuring.
did you finish your business inter
view?" Diana questioned. A shade y
displeasure showed on Henry's face al
he answered.
eyes, yes, had more than enough
Of it."
1--WE postponed luncheon" Diana OK
planned to Jim, because Henry foune
his solicitor wished to see him abou
some repairs needed on the estate
The request was urgent, Henry said
and l knew you would not mind tn,
delay"
| For moment Jim felt as If Henr,
must read the thoughts that blazed 81
fiercely in his mind. So this wa,
Henry's way of deceiving Diana. H,
tried to control his face so that i
might give no sign of the disgust i.
felt. Henry had turned away: jim
could see him nervously twisting hill
mustache; Diana was smiling tenderl,
On Henry as though in approval of hi
mornings benevolent work Jim
reading between the lines, saw Henr!
vince at the dishonesty gained appro
|, baton, and decided that Henry wa
vulnerable where his desire to gail
her respect was concerned. This wa,