Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-15

a mere divorce. 1t might mean a pros
ecution for bigamy, and that would be
terrible. AS it is, we can all three GO
our separate ways, and the world will
be none the wiser and William Tank.
erlane will pass out of both our lives.
have no wish to be free. l shall
never marry again. I have my art
to live for. 1t is enough, as much
as any woman can want in her life.
Let William Tankerlane be judged and
punished by his God"
Laura rose suddenly to her feet
with white face and blazing eyes.
God will judge hin," she cried
fie-cely, "for this, and for more than
this, more than I can tell you, Leo
more. sold myself to him. I cannot
explain, but I was forced to do it.
| sold myself to him, but I little
thought that I had sold by honor. Go
Leonore, for heaven sake, leave me.
Let me be alone. l cannot endure
your presence a moment longer. I
must be alone or shall go mad"
Leonore rose from the sofa and laid
her hand on the girls arm. Beside
the flaming beauty Of Laura's impas-
| stoned face she seemed ugly and insig-
nificant. Yet there was much strength
| Of will and intellect in those large
dark eyes.
Laura she said softly, you must
be calm and brave. Your nature is too
noble to concern itself with revenge,
which, after all, is one Of the most
paltry of human passions. l, too, have
much to avenge. 7 1T I have conquer
ed my feelings of resentment long
ago. You must only think of the prac-
tical side of the matter. You have 81
long and useful life before you. You
must only think of how you can use
it to the best advantage"
"Words" cried aura fiercely.
Nothing but words. Do you think
am made Of stone that l can forget,
that can forgive. that-oh, Leonore,
for heavens sake leave me, or l don't
know what will come from my lips"
Goodbye, dear" said Leonore,
kissing her gently on the cheek
When you have seen your-When You
have seen Tankerlane, come round to
me. I will put you up for the night
We can then talk over your plans for
the future. Goodbye till then"
Laura did not reply, but stared fix
eddy before her with hard look in
her eyes.
Laura" repeated the actress firm,
ly, you must not let this come be-
tween us. You must not let this
worthless man affect our friendship"
Il am just beginning to realise
things" replied Laura slowly, "just
beginning to see how terrible 1t all is,
how horrible it is for on to kiss me.
nj
fore. I am just beginning to see
things clearly You must go. Leo
more. | must never see you again.
This thing has come between us. Any
friendship now would be unnatural,
repulsiVe." Her voice was hard and
cold. She did not even look at Leo
more as she spoke, but still gazed past
her at the door.
Laura replied the actress, AMI
the single word was in itself cry of
fear, wall Of sorrow, a whisper of
reproach. It vibrated like a chord of
music. No other woman, perhaps, in
the world could have expressed such
intensity of feeling in single word.
Laura turned her eyes on the speak
er, and her lips trembled Then the
hard look died fror her face and the
tears came into her eyes.
Forgive me, Leonore," she cried, 81
Will come with you-now, at once;
cannot face him. If l do, will not
answer for the consequences l will
come with you
She stopped, and both the women
looked towards the door. They heard
steps in the passage outside.
1T is too late" said Leonore: Il
will go now. But come to me after
wards"
Then the door opened, and William
entered the room.
(To he Continued).