Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-07-16

for a moment did Henry escape Jim's
watchful eyes; slip after sip made by
Henry was covered by Jim's tact anu
thoughtfulness, and with simple dig
nifty he carried the night to success
Only when he stood aside and saw
Henry receive the demonstrations Of.
the country and tenantry did the bit
terness of his position force itself up
on him. Not once did Henry remember
the child waiting for him. Jim remem-
bered, but the look of appeal from his
aunt, and the sullen defiance Of Hen
ry. kept him close to his cousins.
The final bars of the last dance
was dying away and the ball was draw.
ing to it's brilliant end In the east q
pale streak Of light was beginning to
show over the horizon. Sir Charles,
half an hour before. had gone to his
room. Exhausted by the long even
inG's anxiety and late festivities, Lady
Kerhill forgot that Jim was to leave
early in the morning and that she
would not see him again. and had re-
tired to her own apartment. In the
great hall, tired and excited groups
Of guests were saying goodnight
Its gcou.bye for Jim,' Sir John
Applegate, Diana's cousin, called as.
the last carriage drove away.
A half.whirlsical smile played over
Jim's face. Then some one remem-
bered that he was leaving England.
AS he turned from the door, he met
the eyes OF his cousin fastened on him,
all the latent rebellion rising to the
surface. Henry Kerhill was sober
enough to know that Jim had watched
and guarded him through the entire
night. and had stood between him and
disgrace. As he leaned against the
tall mante1, the bitter consciousness
that the young boy had proved him
self fine mettle, ate like acid into
his feverish brain. He dug his hands
deep into his pockets, then with a
luroh he pulled himself together.
Without a word he turned, crossed
the twisted staircase, and grasping the
oak rails. slowly assembled. From the
landing came the slamming of heavy
door, and Jim knew that he was alone.
SO this was the end The striking Of
the bell in the church-tower remind
ed him that It was now four o'clock
and that he was to leave at six. His
baggage had been sent on ahead the
previous day. He changed quickly,
without disturbing the tired servants,
and In half an hour was ready to walk
to the station AS he came down the
broad staircase, lined with portraits
of the ancestors of the house Of
Wynnegate, a slight noise In the cor
ner leading from the broad landing at
tracted him. Before he could turn, a
low voice called:
"Jfn-Jim."
It was Diana. Standing there in the
dim light OF the corridor, she made 6
enhancing picture. With the parted
hair falling away from the low brow.
around the oval face, and the far
apart blue-black eyes, she looked like
the child Madonna of Rosetti's IAN.
nunoiation." The coverlet was drawn
close about her. the puppy still hid
den under its folds.
TITS Di, Jirn," she whispered as
she hurried to him. ~ waited and
waited for you'll knew you we're go
ing away and l wanted to say good
bye. Burrow promised that he would
let me see you, but she's fast asleep,
and so is Mabel. I tried to wake them
but 1 couldn't The little figure
cuddled into his arms.
Jim's heart was very full as he
looked at the frail child in the early
dawn, the shadows of restless night
showing on her delicately modelled
face. He drew her into .window-en-
closure, and wrapping the heavy cur
tains about her, held her fast.
Say something" the sweet voice
coaxed. shall miss you 80 and wait
for you to come back. You will come
back, won't you?."
Jim's only answer was to press the
little head close to his heart In all
the great house. she alone had
cared to say good bye-to wish him in
her child's way godspeed.
"See." Diana continued as she open
ed her arms, here is something for you
to take away with you, so that you
shan't be lonely any more" She
opened her arms and held up the soft
roll of fur with its bliking eyes and
ptnk-tipped nose.
Di, dear Di, Jim whispered. as he
patted the tosseled hair.
Quite seriously her big eyes
searched Jim's face to be sure that her
gift truly won approval.
The church clock doomed the hour
OF five. Jim hurriedly rose and
slipped the dog into his coat pocket.
Goodbye, Di, and God bless you!"
She chung quietly to him with her
arms tight around his neck for long
time; then the little face quivered.
and in burst Of tears she sank back
among the cushions of the window
seat. Jim nesitated a moment. then
with final pat on the dear head,
hurriedly reached the doorway and
was out on the high-rpad. From a
turn at the top of the common he
caught glimpse Of the great house,
and In the big window Of the hall
could see the faint outline of the white
figure still hlddled among the cush-
IONS
All the suppression of the past days
gave way, With a cry, Jim threw him
self down on the damp ground and
convulsive sobs shook his body. It
had all been his--his home, HE coun-
try-and he was leaving it without a
friend, without a loving hand or voice
to cheer him.
He suddenly. felt a damp nose
thrust into his hand. and soft tongue
began to Ian his face as thouph in