Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-01-25

Rupert HayerfOrd had certainly
good amount of difndence in his dis
position, but at the present. moment
1t was the most exquisite, and the
most real sense of hospitality which
tinged even his protective courtesy
with restraint
When their hostess had deserted
the motor after luncheon and had in
sisted in making her way homeward
in hired carriage, Haverford had
been delighted because Mrs. Lancing
had elected to return with him. But
this very fact the fact that this
woman, who had been charming her
self into his inmost thoughts of late,
was alone with him, charged him
with a sense of responsibility, and he
steeled himself carefully against
even a suggestion of the delicious in
ttmacy with which the. situation
could easily have been fraught.
"The fog is lifting" he said after
little while; "if we can only get off
this road and turn inland, we shall
drive out Of it altogether"
Mrs. Lancing had her muff in front
Of her face; the fog made everything
damp; her veil was clinging to her
face uncomfortably.
I'VE are going down hill now" she
said indistinctly.
Haverford was really little anx-
ions; they were certainly on a down.
ward grade, and the progress was not
pleasant; the road appeared to be
rougher than It had been.
He sat forward, trying to scan
what lay around and ahead but the
white gloom baffled him.
And then all at once the machine
grated sharply; they shook in their
seats, and Mrs. Lancing gave a lit
tie exclamation Of alarm; then the
car stood still, and the chauffeur got
out hastily.
Were done for now, SIR he said;
and Rupert Haverford swallowed a
word or two.
II It had not been for Mrs Lancing
he would not have cared two pins.
Time was of no Importance to him,
and a breakdown rather interested
him, as he had commenced to make
study of the mechanism Of his var
fous cars, and knew pretty we'll how
to put them right when things went
wrong, but this accident was most in
opportune and annoying, under the
circumstan ces.
Fortunately the cold, thick mist
seemed to part little at this mo-
ment, With reassuring word to
his guest, Mr.. Haverford got out and
Joined the chauffeur in his investiga
ton.
1t was very, very cold sitting in that
raw, damp atmosphere, and Mrs. Ian
cling began to wish heartily enough
that she had done her duty and gone
back to Yelverton in the carriage
with Mrs. Brenton
She felt tired now and even lit.
tie cross All the pleasure vanished
that spell of delicious forgetfulness
was swept away, and the morrow
with its wearying demands, confront
ed her like a phantom
After sharp conference with the
chauffeur, MI. Haverford approached
his guest.
He spoke as cheerily as he could
Something has gone wrong with
the works. he said, I'VE can't see
what it is exactly in this gloom.
wonder if you would mind sitting here
a little while go and find out where
we are There may be somebody on
hand who can help US to get along
a bit"
Mrs. Lancing shook aside the rug
do let me come with you" she
pleaded. Really would much rath
or 60, walk will warm me up, and
/ shall feel SO lonely without you.
believe / am frightened. May
conner
Her pretty helplessness touched
him. Of course. And as he helped he1
to alight, Rupert Haverford felt his
heart stir little. So he supposed
other men felt when they ministered
to wife or some one who had ten
der claim on them.
They set off at a brisk pace down
the hill
Decidedly the fog was less thick
the bewilder1ng effect on the eyes
was passing, but it was still sufficient
" cold and raw to make them SILVER
though they were SO warmly clad In
deed, Mrs. Lancing was rather over
weighted with her long coat and her
small feet stumbled now and then.
Rupert Haverford drew her arm,
more closely through his.
He was conscious of very tangi
BILE sense of pleasure in the near prox
unity of this pretty womanly crea
ture. The unconscious claim that she
made upon his strength and protec
'tion moved him to tenderness, ant
her delightful affectation of indiffer
ence to any discomfort awakened hi!
very real admiration.
81 have not the least idea where WI
are but there must be station some
where near, suppose" he said
'And if we can only borrow trap
perhaps we shall be able to get bacl
to Yelverton in time for dinner, afte
all. 1t must be somewhere abou
half past four now. l am afraid yol
will never come cut with me again
Mrs. Lancing. You see things can g
crooked with me at times; | am Gel
tainly out of luck today
81 don't call this unlucky," Camill;
said softly; and she nestled a littl
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