Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-08
\ Meek afterwards Holm shil

A week afterwards John Shil re-
signed his post as land agent to Sir
Robert Tankerlane. His resignation
formed topic for conversation through
out the villages on the estate, AID
was discussed every evening in all the
public houses in the district. 1t WAS
q sincere source Of annoyance to S:r
Robert, who had a genuine liking for
the young man, and who doubted If
his successor would act so thoroughly
as buffer between him and his ten
ants. He offered to raise the agents
salary, but John Shil was firm. He
made no secret about the reason for
his departure.
you know, Sir Robert" he said, in
answer to the baronet's protestations,
l'that my engagement to Miss Vaae
has been broken off. 1t is Impossible
| for me to remain where | am likely
to meet and see her every day. am
sorry, but l must 60 elsewhere
"Drat the women" said the barc-
net fiercely. 1--WE no patience with
| 'em. Stay here, my boy, ana get her
to change her mind, or I'll turn old
Vane out OF the farm, and they can
clear off the estate"
THAT would be rather hard on
them, Sir Robert" Shil replied viii,
smile after all, Miss Vane has q
perfect right to change her mind No,
l will go; | know man that will
lust suit you, more able man than
1 am"
81 thought you were made OF
sterner stuff, Shil," said Sir Robert;
81 didn't think you were the fellow
to turn tail at woman's words.
81 have made up my mind, and |
shan't change it"
Then l won't waste my breath,
but 1 am very sorry. When do YOU
want to go?"
cat once, next week, if possible. |
can wire to Dandy today. He will
come down tomorrow and can put
him nthe way of things. He's been
at the business for years, and is a
good fellow, a son of Sir Harry Dan
by. l daresay you know his father,
Dandy of Trencourt."
HE was at Elton with me, l think,
said Sir Robert; "but what about
yourself, Shil? Have you anything In
| view"
Nothing at present. But l can
wait, and if you'll give me testi.
monial-"
81 can do better than that" inter
rupted the baronet. can old friend OF
mine, Lord Crawcour, is on the look
out for a new agent. His present man
is robbing him left and right. Twenty
thousand acres in Essex, easy land to
ride over, fat as this table, and a bit
Of change for you. If you like, III
write to him."
81 am greatly obliged to you" Shil
replied quietly. II will go and see
him at once"
Right you are one good turn de
serves another. If I am half as pleas
ed with your friend, as l expect Lord
Crawcour to be with you, l shall be
satisfied"
And SO it came to pass that John
Shil obtained the post of agent to one
OF the greatest landowners in the east
of England, and left Layerstone with
the intention of never setting foot ir
it again. Before he left, however, he
1 claimed a final interview with Laure
Vane and it was granted to him. They
had studiously avoided each Other
since their parting on the day before
the inquest. Now, however, the separ
alton was to be final John Shil was
going to distant part of England
and 1t was probable that they would
not meet again."
Laura he said, as he entered the
parlor of her fathers house and closed
the door behind him, Laura, tomor
row am going to Essex. l have
come, as you know, to say good bye
to you. A few weeks ago l though
that nothing would separate US bu
1 death. But a wall has risen between
us, and it Is the work Of my owr
hands. Can nothing break 1t down
can neither my love nor yours pre-
vail? Is not there some way out G
this?"
There Is no way out of this" sht
: replied slowly; 1--WE must travel b.
| the path have chosen-you on yours