Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-10-01

IL 8. Only 10 say SOOQ-Dye.
"Hush!" Winship whispered.
But it was too late, Paula was al
ready in the room and face to face
with Wiltshire.
CHAPTER XIV.
There was no hesitation on Paula's
part. She went directly to Wiltshire
and held out her hand. ri didn't know
you were here, Duke" she said, with
out embarrassment. II came to tell
Mr. Winship something l wanted him
to learn from me, myself. Perhaps,
IT you're not in a hurry, you could
come back for me-"
IF your carriage is here" Wilt
shire returned, as calmly as he could,
Il think won't come back. Alice
is to arrive today, and told her TO
expect me at the Hotel Bristol about
five" sls
Then you'll bring her to dinner,
won't you? She wrote me she'd come
If she wasn't too tired from the jour
ney."
That's it,, wiltshire muttered.
I'VE shall meet this evening. Good
bye, Winship. All revoir. Paula"
He shook hands with both and de-
parted with the dignified air of man
who sees nothing unusual in the sit.
uation. When the door closed be-
hind him, Winship seized Paula's
hands and almost dragged her to the
light.
Paula, you've been Ill !" he cried.
What have they been doing to your
She released herself and drew
away from him.
mo. Roger. haven't been Ill. I
only think that-perhaps-I 'm-I'm
I dying"
my God!" he muttered to himself.
They'll pay for this"
He tried to take her in his arms,
but again she stepped back from him.
mo, Roger, don't. We are all alone
aren't we? Isn't Marah in?"
"Marah is out. We're all alone"
"Then must only stay a minute, :"
she hurried on. ~ came to tell you
TO tell you Oh Roger, don't know
how to say it. It seems like BIAS
phemy now that : m face to face
with you again. It's like a crime. i
who love you so that can make no
pretence at not doing it--1'm going to
marry some one lse."
ucu ~ tIu0, Iduld
eyes, it's true. Roger. Did he tell
lIyou?" ~
ooh, 1t isn't true. It can't be true.
You won't do it. Say you won't do
It,"
81 must Roger. I have to do it for
papa's sake. There are other reasons
too. Everything is forcing me into It.
/ don't know what else to do. Tn
like a lost person, And love you,
| Roger, l shall always love you. No
marriage will keep me from doing
that
Then your marriage will be a
crime Paula as You say. You must
reflect. You must ask yourself If
it's just towards him."
Eyes; l think it's quite Just. He
knows I don't love him as might
do"
"But have you told him that you
love some one else?"
"He never asked me. He said he
wouldn't ask me anything"
"You must tell him, Paula. You
must tell him that you love me. He
must hear 1t from yourself"
ooh, Roger, what's the use? It
would only make new complications
and I'm so worn out with those that
exist already. I've told you that I
think must be dying, and | believe
it. l don't seem to have the force to
live. There's nothing the matter with
me, really, only It's all been so hard
for me. You know | haven't much
strength Of character; and SO, in the
effort to stand alone, I've just--sunh
down. I've come to the point where
I'd rather they did just as they will
with me than struggle any more"
ooh, Paula, you mustn't feel like
that when love you. You'd be strong
If you had my arms to uphold you
yes" she smiled. "I'd be strong
then. But, you see It can't be-
"Why can't 1t be? Why should
you be sacrificed? Why should we
both be sacrificed? You're offering
yourself up in an effort that will never
bring happiness to eny one. Leave Il
all behind you, and come to me-
1 Come to me, as asked you. to come
that day in June. You could go to
England with Lady Alice Holroyd
She knows our story and we have
her sympathy. I'd follow you, and we
could be married there"
No, no. Roger. couldn't do any
thing like that Don't hope for 1t.
couldn't do anything in flight or Sc
crecy."
i you must be reasonable. Paula
my darling. This isn't a matte,
where one can follow the rules of a
nook of etiquette. It's case of life
and death-of your life and you,
death. There's no other question here
than that of saving you"
Nothing can save me, Roger. The
situation is such as to leave me tic
way of escape. If I were to do what
you suggest it would kill my father
"But you mustn't let him kill you.'
! "He doesn't mean to. He hasn't q
thought but for my hanpiness. Yor
remember how he yielded in every
thing last spring. If You could onl.
have accepted his offer"
Suppose did it now Paula. Would
that help you? Would it make yol
any happier?"