Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1907-10-03

bent in the hand and could only be-
cast aside. He had been singled out !
to insure Paula Trafford's happiness
but circumstances had rendered him
unsuited to the task. Very well;
there was nothing to be done but TO
turn to some one who would be equal
to the undertaking, even though it
were Roger Winship. Trafford was
subconscious1y aware that a day
would come when he would have leis-
ure to look back with regret to the
hopes he had built upon the Duke, but
events pressed too closely to allow
of his doing 1t now.
During the few minutes that passed
between the Dukes departure and
Winship's appearance, Trafford re-
viewed, in his rapid way. the points
Of the situation, one by one, and pre-
pared himself for any step he might
be called upon to take.
The meeting between the two men
was cold and formal. Each kept him
self on his guard. 1t was impossible
for Winship's trained observation not
to see that Trafford was broken man
and equally so for Trafford with his
habit of quick scrutiny not to per-
ceive in Winship certain develop,
ment In command and Importance.
since their meeting of six months ago.
u must thank you for receiving
me-" Winship began, when they had
taken seats. II shouldn't have ven.
tured to disturb you, If had not
something of Importance to say
I'm very willing to see you, Mr..
Winship," Trafford said, with faint
suggestion of frienGliness.
MY. business may be briefly stat
ed Winship continued, ''but my
motives may require a word Of ex-
planation."
I'm entirely at your service for
anything"
six months ago." Winship pur-
sued. with some evident difficulty,
you offered my sister and myself u
large sum of money. That Is to say,
while no definite sum was named for
me, you contemplated, l think some
thing of the sort"
You're quite right"
1--WE refused the money then. We
meant that refusal to be final; but
since last night we've reconsidered
the matter If you are still in the
same frame Of mind"
II am
1--WE should be willing to accept It."
IT shall have the matter arranged
at once. believe said five hun
dred thousand for Miss Wtnship. II
you'll permit me. I'll double the sum
for you; or, If you prefer It, l will
double that again"
"The amount Is OF no consequence
Neither of us could ever use the
money for ourselves. AS far as we are
concerned, its transPerence to. our
names would be mere Formally |
| know we lay ourselves open to the
charge Of compromising with the
man who ruined our father and
! mother"
Couldn't we discuss the subject
| Mr.. Wlnship, without bringing that
point UP AGAIN."
The curious gentleness OF Traf
ford's tone struck Winship strangely
"I'll try" he said, briefly.
I'll. tell you why" Trafford ex
planned. II know you're doing this
for my daughter; and I've reached 6
point where can't bear that there
should be bitterness of speech in any
| thing where she's concerned"
That's right" Wfnship said, with
more emotion of tone than he had dis
played hitherto. II ought to have
remembered it-especially as my err
rand here this morning Is to say that
my sister and / want to bury the
sword at your daughters feet
In what way, Mr. Winship? WEI
you be good enough to tell me exactl,
what you and Miss Winship mean?'
Our impulses are different. MY
sisters is a very simple one. She
has always treated Miss Traffort
harshly-unjustly. But she has done
| it with sort of kicking against the
| pricks. Now that she realizes hel
| goodness, her elevation Of characte.
she is ready to do ANYTHING. however
hard, to make amends. It's not al
unusual manifestation of remorse. Ny
own motives are somewhat more com
plicated-just as the whole question
| that Miss Trafford Is to be married
in few days to the Dixie of Wilt
shire. Well, | 1abelled against tha
when she. told me yesterdav-for yor
may not know that I saw her yester
day. But the night brings COUNSEL
and I've come to see that. in all cir
! 'uHlsId1Ceb. ~ peTndDS the DeS1
thing for every one. Wiltshire is 6
good man. and If he can't make he,
happy, he will at least surround hel
with love and kindness. Pm the only
one who could have made hel
happy"
"And YOU wouldn't do it." Traf
ford broke in. "Yon threw away
your chance
81 don't think really had it. The
Cid and Chimene were not separated
| by SO inDassable barrier as she and
|. At all events If I've made mis-
take I'm ready to pay the penalty
She's not happy, and she's not well
Any one can see that l think II
might help her towards being boti
If she knew ! had taken the money
She feels strongly on the point-more
strongly, fancy, than any of us IS
aware Of"
THAT is, she thinks-mind you. Tn
speaking quite calmly. Mr. Winship
| I'm merely irving to state the case
as It is--she thinks I've done you and
| your family a wrong, and she would
| hn bapnior eho thn,,obf bod ri,