Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-25
CHAPTER Ix-(Continued)

CHAPTER Ix-(ContinueO
It was all quite palpable to Lady
Elisabeth His drawn face with eyes
like burned-out flames showed how
the fever Of unrest and fear consumed
him
Henry, you ire trying to reassure
Yourself, not me, che said.
"No. no, smother, it isn't shat" But
itsis useless, he could moo longer play
a part. Yves, you're right" he ac-
knowledged as he threw himself down
on the great stone bench. My God,
the consequences!-the conse-
luences!"
And Lady Elizabeth stood dumb and
helpless. For the first time he held
cut his hands to her, and she was
unable to grasp them in support. She
could offer no respite to the torture
Of suspense he endured.
AS they stood in silence, Diana came
from the pergola, "Dear people. are
you moon-struck? Our guests are
missing you
with an effort Lady Elizabeth turn
ed, .Is the dance over?" she said.
Henry's words followed close:
"Have we been gone very long?"
aoh no--but you see they have stop
ped bridge, and the men want to talk
to you about the Fund. They are al
so proud of our extraordinary result
They want a statement published SO
! that they can gloat over the envy Of
the other regiments !"
aPublished-a statement" bu!
Dana, w'lo was bending over some
roses, barely noticed the strained
speech aud Lady Elizabeth mctionsd
him to restrain his agitation.
.'First, believe" Diana continued
as she seated herself, there is com
n1ittee or somebody, to go over the &c
counts and what do they call it-?'
AUDIT them" Henry fo,ind .iloseli
rcechanicAllv saying.
a Eyes, that's it. They want to know
when it will be convenient tom ,r::N
for you, Henry"
Quite vaguely he said, ooh yes-fo1
me-"
In his work for the Yeomanry and
4, his characteristic British loyalty te
\ his men, Diana found one great virtue
3 to be proud of in Henry. She realized
4 this as she heard the men discussing
his efforts For several days a grow
ing feeling of pity for his misspent life
4 had taken hold of her as she saw
what he really could do when he will
ed.
s.You are great man with this
4 Tenth, Henry" she said. ITO heal
4 them talk one would think you car
ried the regiment in your pocket Ant
the dear mother thereto see he
listen to your praises! Oh. we'll, it''
very beautiful-you both had bette
-
taste for adulation will grow Unsuitable
d after this-won't it?' AS she spoke
she lifted her long, slender hands ant
fastened them acrona her brows. Hen
q nv came to her. Shf was very beau
tiful: an unusual pallor gave her fac'
y !, selicate spirituality In the din
i hs.at her soft white draptries, til,
q HuU asytlg scarf ends, and the wreatl
II Bysen leaves made her seem hal
s syidte.
q !, wont you return with us, DIP"
u stNo-I have a headache. I'll sta.
Y here in the air for few moments"
AS -sae spoke, Jim came toward
them.
@aThe next is our dance, Diana. Viii
you come?
Henry answered for her with I'm
mistakable sarcasm.
Perhaps Jim will stay with you
q Di, as you have a headache.
And Jim innocently replied, "Witl
pleasure; Z I've really been doing dut
quite assiduously in the way Of dane
ing
He crossed to Diana's side. Lad.
Elizabeth, who had been trying t,
81 divert an awkard moment, drew he
arm through Henry's. Henry locke
"a at his mothers face, which grew ter
der as her eyes rested on him
.I'm afraid my wife does not shar
your pleasure In my praises, mater.
"Oh yes,'' Diana answered, "but 20
must not expect wife to have tn
illusions of mother" 1t was light
ly said, to cover up an apparent effor
on Henry's part to cause an embal
RAISING moment.
Lady Elizabeth took up the cue
She glanced from Jim to Diana, bu
they were beginning to talk; she a
@ most drew Henry forcibly away as sh
said with forced gayety, Mono on
can love you as your mother does
dear"
She little knew the prophetic trut
of her words or to what length he
mother-love would lead her before Al
other day has passed at the Towers
CHAPTER TX.
These moments of respite from tn
dancing were peaceful. Diana though
as Jim drew chair forward and sea
ed himself beside her. She wa
strangely unsettled tonight. Her hea
ached slightly, it was true, but sh
was conscious that ever since Lad
Elizabsth's remark concerning Jill
and Sadie Jones. curious irritatio
i had possessed her. She didn't sto
to reason it out, but plunged at ono
into the heart Of the matter.
Il congratulate you, jim"
ION what?
"Your brilliant prospects,"
We've never met-shouldn't kno
them If saw them"
So Diana knew too of the schem