Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-09-21

Ills HanQS D6HlnQ his DfsCK, HIlu lIllS
head bent, he took two or three PAGES
across the room Marah had scarce
" changed her position since the con-
versation began. Laura sat biting
her lip and looking at the floor.
George, grasping the arms OF his
chair. was like q bulldog held in
leash and straining to spring at the
man opposite who was, apparently,
the least concerned among them all.
Trafford strobe back to the group
again.
You're clever man, Mr.. @Winship"
he said, tapping with his fingers on
the table. YOU'RE an ingenious man.
You've had d, blow to strike at me,
and you've chosen the weapon you
knew to be the shapest."
II didn't choose IT," Winship re-
turned, quietly. at came into my
hand,
But you know how it cuts"
Yes, do know that" II
"And you have no scruple about
thrustiug the blade In" ~
TT he whole world has learned from
you. Mr.. Traford, that scruples be-
long only to the weak
II see what you've been working
round to-" Traford went, on, musing-
". q, see 1t now. / see. see.
see the whole game"
ut isn't game" Winship correct
EDITS a situation
tits more adtoit than I thought at
flrst. The worst OF which could
suspect you was the plan of marrying
my daughter In order to get her
money. That would have been bitter
pill enough for me. That ought to
have given you, an ample revenge.
But this is-what shall say?-this
is SO clever as to be nearly devllish"
II must call your attention again
to the fact that the circumstances are
not of my making, but your own. ]
didn't seek to love your daughter.
must say again and again that we
were brought together in consequence
Of your own acts. Now that do
love her, want to marry her. That's
natural enough. But / can't touch
your money No honorable man could
It's blood-money. But there again,
If. that knife cuts you, it's oue OF your
own forging, not mine. 1t isn't the
first time the conquered lave been
avenged by the very cruelty of the
conquest. 10 Victis is a song the
world has heard over and over again"
"Hmph! Blood-moaey! It's blood
money, is 1t? And you want my child
to say 80"
Il want her to be true to what
know are already her, own high and
holy convictions
You want her to choose between
you and me, before the world. Then,
by, God! she SHALL he cried, bring
ing his fist, down upon the table.
He marched to the end of the long
room, and threw open a door.
Paula!" he called, loudly. Paula,
come here!"
When he rejoined the group he was
very pale. Instinctively they all rose
as Paula appeared In the, doorway.
For an instant she, seemed to hesi
tate, her. dark figure framed in tho
arch Of white and gold Then she
came forward a step or two and paus.
ed, then step or two more, and paus
ed. She seemed doubtful OF what they
expected her to do. They could see
that her eyes were aglow, her cheeks
delicately flushed, and her lips parted
in halfsmile. She was in black,
with rowsof Llaek pearls In the frill
- j. &
The silence and immobility with
which the group about the table re-.
garded her approach soon began 70
bewilder her. She looked from one
to another questioningly and her
smile faded. @
i""What is it?"'' she asked, pausing
again, before she had quite reached
them.
Paula. my child.'' Trafford said.
I've given my consent to your mar
riage to Mr.. Winship, and I've not
withdrawn it,
The half-smile came back. Her
eyes sought Winship's; then the
droop of the long, black lashes hid
them again.
"But Mr. .Winship," Trafford pur-
sued, Ifs not satisfied with my con
sent. He asks for more" XIX.
mo, not for more. Winship cor
rected. Il ask for nothing"
MIR. Winship asks for SO little,
dear. that it becomes significantly
much"
II don't understand at all, papa"
Then I'll put it to you plainly. Mr..
Winship is ready to marry you, but
you must, come to him empty handed"
II shouldn't care" she said, prompt
ly. ~ don't mind about the money.
not at all. know what Roger means.
He wants every one to see that It's
for myself-not for anything else.
THAT isn't quite his motive, dear.
But perhaps he could explain 1t bet
ter than I can. " Ill you be good
enough" he added. turning to Win.
ship, ''to tell my daughter why 1t IS
that you'd shut her out from the pro.
vision I've worked SO hard to save
for herr"
"If Miss Trafford is willing to make
the sacrifice, 1t seems to me the AZ
PLANTATION becomes unnecessary"
II don't want an explanation, papa
Il really don't.
II think you'd better have it. none
the less" Trafford insisted. IF he
won't give it, will. Mr.. Winship will
not touch my money, nor allow you to
touch it. because It's blood-moneys"
ooh, don't, papa" the girl pleaded
Don't tell me-"
81 must tell you, dear. The time
has. come when you've got to make
choicewhen you've got to decide