Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-09-10

the Bots de Boulogne, it was the
crowded hour of the afternoon-all
| the more crowded because the day
was one Of those in early spring when
1t seems a rare pleasure to sit out.
of-doors, under the foliage still too
tender to keep off the grateful
warmth Of the sun. In the long gal
lery, and beneath the trees there
was such movement of going and
coming. such rustic of silks and
satins, such alum of talk and
laughter, such calling of greetings
and farewells, such a tinkle of cups
and glasses, that two ladies' seated
by themselves could be intimately
alone. Lady Alice had forseen this
when she invited Paula to tea with
her.
At the table nearest them, a young
actress of the Coincide was entertain
ing a party of friends; beyond them
a couple of clean shaver American
lads were having Scotch-and-soda
farther of, group of English people,
on their way from the Rivera, We're
taking tea; the Italians at another
table, and the South Americans at
still another. were RECALLING themsel-
yes with pink and pea-green drinks
and ices. Up to the main door there
was long, double procession of car.
riags, motorcabs and cabs. Liveriel
ohasseurs ran to and fro to welcome
the arriving and speed the depart
Ing, guest Swans were floating on
the lake in the foreground and a
faint sweet perfume came up from
the beds of hyacintns on it's banks
Overhead, birds were fitting and
chirping, in the ordor Of building their
nests; while above and through and
beneath all other sound; came the
Wild twanging, changing, heart-break-
Ing music Of the Hungarian Tziganes.
Neither of the two women pair di-
rect attention to these things; they
only submitted unconsciously to the
influence of what is little out of the
common. The glamour of the sun
shine. the strains of the gypsy air. the
subtle sense Of the romantic that
diffuses itself in any rich, leisured, cos
mopolitan crowd, made it possible, for
Paula at least to speak as she could
not have spoken without the stimulus
and support of an accompaniment.
Yes, Ludovic will be back again
in few week." Lady Alice sighed,
as she put down her cup. Poor boy,
hope the trip will have done him
good
Pm sure nope So" Paula murmur-
ed, politely.
HE sails from Cape Town to-mor-
row. Thatll make it about three
months altogether since he left Monte
Carlo
about that, 1 think" Paula MUIR
;; INJURED again, trying to look anywhere
but ut her hostess.
"Of course" Lady Alice ventured.
boldly, 81 never asked him what took
place between you. | wouldn't. I
think one can never be too delicate
about matters of that sort But, nat
urally one has ones s,lrmissings,
don't they?"
Paula admitted as much as that.
II knew you'd say so,'' Lady Alice
pursued as though relieved by Paula's
assent. "One has their surmisings
and they can't help It,. But i never
talk. about such things. Whatever
think. keep to myself. My dear
mother used to say that one always
had plenty of time to begin to talk
but 1t was never too soon to be ST.
lent"
"I'm sure that must be very true
Paula agreed, innocently
|
thing. only thought-you'll excuse
me, dear, won't you'll only thought,
that if 1t was anything in the nature of
a Misunderstanding
Paula shook her head.
"Tnat | could help in
1T wasn't anything of that kind"
Paula forced herself to say.
well, I'm glad of that-or. rather
can't help being little bit sorry,
too, because if it had been so. there
might have been ray of hope for
Ludoyic. But, of course, if you'd made
up your mind that you couldn't marry
him
II offered to- Paula stammered in
the hope of putting the matter less un-
graciously. 81 wanted to but the Duke
thought l had better not"
"Oh!"
Lady Alice's dry tone indicated her
astonishment.
He seemed to think I didn't love
), him well enough"
and didn't you?"
. He wouldn't let me try"
Were you ready?"
"Yes-to try"
We'll, it's never too late, you know
The swift rose color came into Pau.
: las cheek while she fixed ner troubled
, eyes on the farthest point they could
sea swan at the distant end of the
t lake.
f, Look here, my dear Lady Alice
said. assuming kindly, elderly tone
: let me warn you of one thing: don't
.. trif1e with love. Pm an old maid and
you may think l don't know anything
about 1t, but do. I've had my expert
ences, like other people; and once
when I'd seen the man | could have
!, given my heart to, l wouldn't ]
! wouldn't because he was only barris
ter, and was Lady Alice Holroyd, and
thought | couldn't come down I've
been bitterly punished | assure you.
J, for I've thought of him ever since
and he's been lord chancellor too
Don't trif1e with love, GEAR. It's the
most precious gift of life, it passes
us by. never to return again.