Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-23

III E y
through his; he knew what was com
Ing. It amused him, and 1t also irri-
tated him a little. but he felt very ten
der towards his aunt. ALI the boylsh
hurt had been forgotten. Her great
endurance Of Henry's conduct, her
fhdomitable resolution to keep him
well placed in the eyes of men, deep
" touched him After all. in her de-
votion to Henry there was a magnia.
cent capacity for self-surrender. Dur,
ing the past winter Jim had grown
strangely attached to his aunt, and
q great pity for the inevitable tragedy
Of her life lay deep in his thoughts Of
the proud old woman. He patted
her; hand caressingly.
With almost note of despair she
seid, "And invited her here for this
visit especially for you, jim"
DO You think she would care to add
to her already abundant collection of
tnames?"
He would not be serious. but Lady
Elizabeth took up his question literal
ily.
III think she would be very glad TO
ally herself with one of the great fam
lilies of England. Besides" she contin.
ued. as there was no reply, "such a
marriage would put you in position
to be Of great service to Henry and
the family"
Jim distinctly saw Henry's purpose
In this appeal. 1t sickened him-this
cold, devilish selfishness that made his
cousin use all things as means to
further his own ends. His spirit rose
In revolt against his aunt, who, he now
saw, was seriously asking so grave a
sacrifice of him. How lightly they
played with human destinies! Then
he conquered his sudden passion. He
spoke In tone Of affectionate banter
You dear aunt-Henry and the fam.
lily are among the earliest of my re,
collectlons. was taught Henry and
the family before my letters. If |
found stray dog, or made toy,
WAS forced to hand 1t over to Henry
Why, I remember gave up brilliant
offer TO enter commercial life-far bet.
ter suiting to my small fortune than
an army career-bacause 1t would not
lend dignity to Henry and the family
The hard tones he was struggling to
keep down crept into his voice. 1.-The
woman marry will have right to
expect more OF me than profound
respect for her money and laudable
desire to promote Henry and the fam
fly"
Lady Elizabeth perceived the sup
pressed irritation, and was for mo
ment touched by Jim's reproaches.
One must pay something for tn
glory and privilege of belonging to a
great family"
Don't you think we pay too grea,
a price, dear Aunt?"
II have never shirked the sacrifice
The worn, tremnlous face looked uI
at Jim with eyes that were uncon
scious confessors of the bitter strug
gle her life hal been. He leaned to
ward her and gently took her hand.
No, dear Aunt, you haven't. Yor
deny yourself everything. Don't yor
think / can see that? You stint your
self to the point of shabbiness: why
your wardrobe Is positively pitiful!
And Mabel--the child has had no pro
per education, no advantages; she has
il never been anywhere. nor seen any
thing, nor had anything-Henry need
ed the money"
I'VE have been as generous to 20,
and Mabel as we could, Jim. We mus
keep up the dignity and position o.
the head Of the family" Like a war
horse smiling the powder of battle
1 fields, at the words family" and "dig
nifty Of its head" Lady Elizabeth's
courage rose In the moonlight jim
could plainly see the determined lool
grow on her face until it formed gran
ite-like lines. The fox might eat hel
vitals, but she would not whimper
The torch of the family was the ligh
Of her declining years, as 1t had bear
Of her youth. 1t was useless to argue
further, Jim told himself
/ The music sounded new dance. +
was an opportune moment to escape
l you've been a dear-I'm not com
planning. only 1 don't think we have
the right to sacrifice an amiable lad.
on the altar Of our obligations" H.
drew his aunt towards him, and leaned
over the seat. Besides, / have no ie
sire to marry at present, so we won
speak Of this again. will WEI" AS HI
spoke he kissed her on the forehead
God bless you! And now must b.
off to help Di with her dancing
Lady Elizabeth rose. 1t was impos
sible to resist his tender charm, bu
his evident indifference to her wishes
vexed her. He crossed to the case
ment and Lady Elizabeth called
I There's an occasional streak q
stubbornness in you, jim"
He smilingly called back. ri thlni
it runs in the family, doesn't ii
, Aunt?"
AS he went into the house he passet
Henry and several Of the men busil,
discussing the condition Of the Yeo
many, and the Relief Fund that wa
doing such excellent work. Her
Henry proved himself of worth-of hi
interest In the work there could b.
+. no doubt.
AS Lady Elizabeth stood alone il
the garden, she was conscious tina
her recent interviews with Jim ha,
been most unsatisfactory. He had
way of not taking the traditions >
her life seriously; he discussed an
n -