Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-19

II have met this lady, she said
slowly, "and here, in Paris. She has
been in this very room. But she did
not call herself Laura Vane"
John Shil rose to his feet, and his
lips opened, as though to frame some
question. Then he turned abruptly,
and, walking over to the window,
looked out into the street.
Mr.. Shil," said Leonore gently,
this interview is very painful to YOU
and also to me. I think that it had
better come to an end
John Shl turned on her fiercely, and
threw all courtesy to the winds.
You said just now" he exclaimed
that you only knew one unmarried
woman in Paris Of the name of Laura
"a woman of fifty-six Is that the
| truth?''
ut is certainly the TRUTH" Leonore
answered coldly.
please recollect, Mr.. Shil," she re-
piled, that you are stranger to me,
and that l am not in the witness
box"
Il humbly beg your pardon, he
said gently But please tell me this
Did you know this lady's name was
Laura?"
Leonore hesitated. She saw the
purpose of the question, and all the
answer would imply.
Il must know" he cried savagely
I must know"
ritx, Gov ,..n
place to natural irritation at the
tone of his voice.
Her name was Laura" she an
swered, rising to her feet. "Mr. Shil
this interview Is at an end"
Thank you," he replied in low
voice; II understand Miss Vane is
married"
Leonore shuddered as she looked at
his face. She felt half inclined to
ring the bell for a servant, but she
was brave little woman, and decided
that she could deal with her visitor in
a more gentle manner.
"Mr. Shil," she said, coming close
to his side, Il am very, very sorry for
YOU
Her name?" he asked hoarsely.
What is her husbands name?"
Il don't think l ned answer that
question, "Leonore. replied st
would do you no good to know her
husbands name. 1t might do her
great injury"
II insist on knowing"
Again I must remind you, Mr.. Shil,
that | am not in the witness-box. |
am very sorry for you, but l cannot
excuse your rudeness."
Can you tell me where she is
where they are?" he continued with
out needing her rebuke.
II cannot Leonore replied sharp
~. Il have not seen the lady or her
husband for more than two months,
and have not heard from either of
them. I have no idea where they
went to when they left Paris. 1t is
probable that | shall not meet either
of them again
John Shil was silent. He did not
believe that she was speaking the
truth. But, distraught with pain and
anger, he was at loss how to acquire
the knowledge he desired He only
knew one thing clearly, that he was
likely to gain nothing by prolonging
the interview
please leave me, Mr.. Shil," Leonore
said, after pause.
The young man looked into her
face. 1t was not beautiful face, but
1t had singular charm of it's own
1t was, moreover, the face of good
and clever woman. And, as he look
ed at it, a sudden idea came into his
mind, and, as it grew more definite, he
smiled and held out his hand.
Forgive me. Miss Jackson" he
said softly. you must make allow
ance for my conduct. l have behaved
like a cad. l am not myself. But still
l should have known better than to
offend lady who has taken so kindly
an interest in strangers affairs.
Let us part friends, at any rate. l
should like to feel that you thought
well Of me-"
Leonore smiled, as she took his
outstretched hand. 81 forgive you"
she answered pleasantly, "and l am
very, very sorry for you. But think
am right in taking the line l have
adopted. And may l give you a word
Of advice before you go. am not
very old but have seen great deal
of the world, and | speak from bitter
experience when l advise you to take
no further steps to discover Laura
Vane. A meeting between you can
only be painful to you both. She has
passed out of your life; she is mar
ried--"
rs she happily married7" he inter-
rupted sternly. SIS her husband kind
to her? Does he love her? | know that
she does not love him. She cannot be
happy"
Thrust al Thought of her out of
your mind" Leonore continued, that
will be best and wisest. Goodbye Mr.
Shil. l shall always be pleased to see
you, but on one condition only. that
you do not refer to this matter again"
Il will observe the condition." he re-
y NLD GOLDEN Coffee 4