Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-02-19
CHAPTER v1r.-(continued)

"EudoXia, you'll take this lady's
baggage to the small bedroom adjoin-
ing Miss Shirley's. She is going to
stop with us for a few days"
Taken completely aback at thenews
of this new addition, Eudoxia looked
at first defiance. She seemed on the
point of handing in her resignation
there and then. But evidently she
thought better of it, for, taking a cue
| from Mrs. Rossmore, she asked in
| the sarcastic manner of her mistress:
-Four is it now, Nm? 1 suppose the
CONSTRUCTION of the United States al
lows family to be as big as one
/, likes to make it. It's hard on us
girls. but if it's the law, it's all right.
MN. The more the merrier!" With
which broadside, she hung the bags
all over herself and staggered off to
| the house.
stottt explained that the larger
pieces and the trunks would come
later by express. Mrs. Rosssmore
took him aside while Mrs. Blake
Joined Shirley and the Judge.
"Did you tell Shirley?" asked Mrs.
Rossmore. How did she take it?"
"She knowns everything" answered
Stott, ''and takes 1t very sensibly. We
shall find her of great moral assis-
lance in our coming fight in the Sen
ate," he added confidently.
Realizing that the Judge would like
to be left alone with Shirley, Mrs.
Rcssmore invited Mrs Blake to go
upstairs and see the room she would
have, while Stott said he would be
glad Of a washup. When they had
gone Shirley sided up to her father
in her old familiar way.
1--WE just been long ng to see you,
father" she said. She turned to get
good look at him and noticing the
lines of care which had deepened
during her absence she cried: why,
how you've changed! can scarcely
believe it's you. Say something. Let
me hear the sound of your voice,
father"
The judge tried to emilio.
why, my dear girl, l.
Shirley threw her arms round his
"Ah. yes, now know it's you," she
cried.
"Of course It is, Shirley, my dear
girl. OF course it Is. Who else should
it be-"
Eyes, but it isn't the same" insisted
Shirley. ''Thcre is no ring to your
voice. Itlsounds hollow and empty,
like an echo. And this place." she
added dolefully, "this awful place
She glazed around at the cracked
ceilings, the choaply papered walls.
the shabby furniture, and ner heart
sank as she realized TIE extent OF
their .sfortune She FAD come
back prepared for the worst, to help
WIN the fight for her f&thers honour
but to lave to struggle against
sordid proverty as well, to endure
that humiliation in addition to dis
! grace-ah, that was something she
had not anticipated! She changed
colour and her voice faltered. Her
father had been closely watching for
just such signs and he read her
thoughts.
tits the best we can afford, Shir-
ley" he said quietly. "The blow has
been complete. I will tell you every
thing. You shall judge for yourself.
My enimes have done for me at last"
"Your enemies?" cried Shirley Gag
erly. "Tell me who they are so may
go to them"
thing. But not now. You are tired
after your journey. Tomorrow some
time Stott and will explain every
thing"
very we'll, father, as you wish, .
said Shirley gently. after ALL" she
!. added In an effort to appear cheer.
full, what matter where we live sc
long as we have each other?"
| She drew away to hide her tears
and left the room on pretence of in,
specting the house. She looked in
to the dinning-room and kitchen and
opened the cupboarcs, and when she
returned there were no visible signs
of trouble in her face
TITS cute little house, isn't it?
she sair. "I've always wanted a little
1 place like this-all to ourselves. Oh
If you only knew how tired I am oi
New York and its great ugly houses
its retinue of servants and its do
nestle and social responsibilities! We
shall be able to live for ourselves
now, eh, father?'
She spoke with a forced gaiety that
\ might have deceived anyone but the
judge. He understood the motive OF
/ her sudden change in manner and
silently he blessed her for making his
i burden lighter.
yes, dear. it's not bad" he said
There's not much room, though
There's quite enough" she in
sisted "Let me see." She began tc
count on her fingers "Upstairs-thret
rooms, eh? and above that three
more"
NO" smiled the Judge, "ther
comes the roof!''
j "Of COURSE" she laughed, chow
stupid Of me-a nice gable roof, {
sloping roof that the rain runs of
beautifully. Oh, can see that this
is going to be awfully jolly--just like
camping out. You know how I love
camping out. And you have a piano
too"
/ She went over to the corner where
Z stood one of those homely INSTR,
i ments which hardly deserve to b,
dignified by the name piano, will
a cheap, gaudily painted case, outsid,