Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-09-17

bled in his declining years. 1t will be
the end OF my career but.
Then, papa. darling, don't want
you to do 1t. l didn't see it in that
light"
mo, dear, of course not. How
should you? But want to do 1t. I've
considered 1t we'll, and I'd rather do
it. For, when I've made this sacri-
fee for you, you won't be unwilling to
make one for me, will you, darling?"
What sacrihce?" she faltered.
You'd give this man up"
"Oh, but l love him."
There was no installing the accent
of the cry. 1t came from her because
she could not help it. 1t fell on the
stiffness with the strangeness of a
sacred avowal flung out on the com
mon air 1t was followed by hush.
A long minute passed before Traffor1
spoke again.
But you don't love him better than
me?" he asked, softly, leaning for.
ward. with his strong eyes bent upon
| her.
Not better, differently" she
managed to stammer, her cheeks fam
ing now, as if with sudden shame.
You wouldn't give me up for him?"
II couldn't give you up at all.
"But il the choice lay between him
and me?"
She sat with eyes downcast and
made no answer.
What them" Trafford persisted
softly.
Again she made no answer. Laura
lleaned forward and whispered i'll his
! ear.
Dear Uncle Trafford. do you think
1t wise to ask her these questions
] now?'
He waved her back and kept on.
If the choice lay between him AMI
me, Paula, dear? What then? After
the way we've loved you, after all
we've done for you, after the happy
years together, would you go away
with this stranger--my enemy-and
leave your mother and me alone"
He isn't your enemy, papa" she
declared. selling the one point on
which she was able to reply.
81 must Judge of that But would
you go with him? That hawsmI't
You go with him? That's what Pm
asking. Your mother is ill and I'm
growing old. You're all we have-all
God has left with us. Would you de-
sert us for a man you didn't even
know year ago."
/ She raised her burning face to him
again.
ooh, papa, how can answer you?
How can you bear to torture me like
this? Surely you know what love is!
! not such love as yours and mine
but the love of man and woman. If
you don't know Ut, the others must
Mamma, appeal to you. Laura,
appeal to you. You know what a
woman's heart Is when It's given IL
the one man to whom it can ever &c
out. You know that can't say any
| thing. You know that can't answer
him. Help me. Protect me. You'.-a
women like myself Mamma
Mamma!
| She ended with a little cry.
Il Yes, dear, I'm he"a.'
| Mrs. Trafford busted forward witt
a sob. Paula sprang to meet her ant
mother and daughter were clasped II
each others arms.
THAT spoils It," Trafford comment
ed, turning YEARLY to Laura. There's
no dealing with argument like that.
| A half-hour later, as he was light
| ing a cigar in his office, Mrs. Traf
ford stole in. She was pale and tremb
ling
81 got her to bed she said, with
some hesitation. She'll be quietel
now. She's been terribly unnerved
poor lamb"
He stood with his foot on the fen
der and neither answered nor turned
round.
tits my fault, Paul, she began
weakly.
$50 we understood" he flung owe,
his shoulder. why return to the poin,
again."
Because want you to forgive
me, Paul"
What's forgiveness got to do witt
/ 1t? Forgiveness won't give me m,
daughter back"
She's my daughter, too, Paul. 70,
seem to forget that"
ooh, no, don't. The fact that she
is your daughter is my only possible
excuse for leaving her In your incom
petent care"
"oh, Paul! After all the year.
that we've been married you say tina
to me-"
Goodnight he returned still ovel
his shoulder
"I'm very ill, Paul" she began
once more.
"You won't get any better by stand
ing in this cold room"
eYou don't know how Ill am I've
never told you, Paul beseech you
she went on brokenly.
I'm tired" he said, leaning heavil,
on the mantlepiece. II really thinl
we'd better say goodnight
She turned slowly. and left him
He heard her go halfway up thu
stairs and come down to his doc
again. She stood minute, but, as
he made no sign she turned heavily
away once more
: He listened without moving till he
door closed behind her Then ht
flung himself into an armchair an;
, smoked. He smoked on and on. while
!. the clock on the mantel-piece chime
of the hours. His mind worke,
back to the past and forward to tl1.
future. He lived through again tn,