Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-20

Sitting room had once been the state
bedroom, and had vaulted ceiling
and a huge fireplace In which great
logs were burning brightly. Lady Don
oyle had got into blue tea-gown and
was arranging little table with dec
anters and syphon as Ancestor en-
tered.
There were no lights except two
candles on the mantel; their feeble
flame and the wealth of glow from
the wood fire only lit up one end of
the great shadow clad room. To Lord
Ancestor, entering at the darkened
portion of the chamber, the woman
with the glorious red-gold hair, bend
Ing so intimately among the ocean
tiers. seemed to be taking part in
play in which he was cast for the low
er's part. ~
There Is nothing which makes a
man yearn so greatly over a woman as
the knowledge that she holds an an
swer to his passion under a wistful
control. There is nothing he values so
much as the knowledge of it; there
is nothing he so greatly longs to test
as the strength of it..
Lord Ancestor was a man who had
himself well in hand. He had reached
a period when the subleties of love
are it's greatest fascination; but to-
night something whispered to the an
imal in him: "She has played with
you long enough; now take her, crush
her, and break her, and see what she
is really made Of
Lady Donoyle, looking UP as he
came out of the shadows, read some
NJ ~ hn trrhf IN, fa
usually tired look was replaced by
eight years ago. "Why that once
old face, my Rivalon?'' she asked, try
ing to laugh the impulse down, and
to hide her joy that the impulse was
there. He meant to kiss her-he did
not mean to talk about it. So he came
forward into the freight and tried
to take her in his arms.
BE good, Rivie!-please be good,
Rivie!" she said, extending bare
arm and laying hand, which slight
| ly trembled, on his chest. Remember
the rules and regulations"
Let me take you in my arms for
one moment darling WON'T swear
won't-ask for anything more. Just
let me know that you are real flesh
and blood-let me kiss away that sad
droop at the corner of your lips.
What harm can there be in that?'
] eff was as strong as I would like
[ to be- she answered-and the hand
which held him away trembled per-
ceptibly-"there would be no harm.
I'm afraid of myself, Rivie-dreadful
ly afraid. There's something in me
must stand over, whip in hand I'm
sorry didn't run with you years ago
1T would have been different then.
Help me, RIVE! Be good chap, and
go on helping me-"
Lord Ancestors sense of chivalry
responded to the real appeal in the
woman's voice. His hands, which had
been clasped over her restraining
| fingers, dropped to his side He put "a
! hand UP on the high mantel, and look
ed into the fire.
81 say!--I'm awfully sorry-I know
i I had no right-law of hospitality and
all that"
4 That's not true, RIVE" said Lady
lDonoyle, lighting cigarette. you
have every right, and you know it.
You are here in my sitting room at
midnight, by invitation. ! love you,
and YOU know ] love you, as much
as much as hate my husband! With
a few interludes, you have given me
the best years of my life. The sword
between us Is forged Of whims and
pride and a sort Of sporting instinct,
and yes, perhaps a fear Of the pace
might go down hill II once start.
ed. and the knowledge that I should
lose you on the way. RIVE And yet,
thin as that sword is, you know in
your heart that we have grown to be
proud Of it, to love it, perhaps more
than the love we would gain by snap
ping it. Let's have drink, RIVE, and
talk sense"
Lord Ancestor came forward and
mixed himself a drink. IT'S all true
dear, every word you say" He lifted
his glass. 81 drink to the sword, AIDE
laide- God bless it!' He drank, and
put down his glass; then, looking UP
and catching a wistful, tender glance
trying to hide behind Lady Donoyle's
cynical smile, he added: "Anu God
damn it,"
God bless you, anyway, old boy!
Bless you for tempting me, and bless
you for helping me to resist! I shall
DTeaK my neart, rive, WneH you SUI
being a temptation. Sit down in grand
fathers chair she said, pointing tc
, an ancient hemmed-in chair Of dull
leather and brass nails, and throwing
her own self back in modern wicker
81 promise, Adelaide, What is it?"
Its this: If the archangel in the
lunatic asylum should spread his
wings and flap out of a window. o.
, burst a blood vessel blowing his horn
and you still want me-will you take
!, me to America, to one of those states
where the bonds of matrimony are Sc
delightfully."- fragile, and marry me
and love me, and divorce me?"
81. s..... 1 a.