Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-29

hSi pooiClou
In truth, at time it seemed to her
as If she had passed merely from one
bondage-from one form of depend
ence, to another. This bondage was
splendid enough-she was surrounded
with every possible thing she wanted
or fancied; the magnificence of Haver-
fords settlement and gifts to her was
still the theme for comment and
amazement-but, splendid as it all
was, it signified an intolerable bondage
to Camilla. And the man himself had
no idea of this.
1t gave him such wonderful happi-
ness to share his wealth with this
woman.
In the days following Immediately
on their betrothal he had seemed to
walk on air 1t was absolutely the
first time that the fact of his enormous
wealth had given him sense of en-
joyment Or satisfaction.
He yearned over Camilla just as if
she had been child He diverted
his interest, the purpose of his life.
from all former channels; hencefor-
ward it should be planned to run as
she would have it run He had no
longer doubt as to her judgment; he
imagined that he was beginning to
understand her now.
Just because she had shown desire
to be at Yelerton, and to turn away
from all the people whom he had re-
garded as being so injurious (about
which he had troubled SO sharply
had merely been the outcome of cir
cumstances, and that was now drift
ing into her proper, her natural, men
tai condition. 1t sometimes angered
Camilla that he should suppose she
was so malleable, but for the most
part she regarded his satisfaction as
being satisfactory for herself also.
"As long as he is pleased, what does
anything else matter?" she said now
and then to herself. He has paid a
long price for me, so it would be rank
hard luck if he felt he had made a
bad bargain"
She stood now little while at the
window Of the sitting-room, and then
reused herself.
"a walk will do me good" she said;
81 will go and meet them" She put on
her furs, and went slowly downstairs
| to the large, cosy hail. stopping on
her way out to chat few minutes
with Mr.. Brenton, tall, thin, care
| worn-looking man, who lived for the
most part in the clouds. and was never
so happy as when he and his wife
were at Yelverton alone.
He was known all over the country
as collector of old and rare books,
and also as an enthusiastic rather
than a judicious purchaser There
were tons of useless volumes lumber
ing the upper storeys of the house,
and still they continued to come. But
dreamer and bookworm as he was,
! Dick Brenton had place in his heart
for all those who were dear to his
wife, and he was very fond of Camilla
Lancing He always said her beauty
was so helpful, so Illuminating; and he
adored her children
AS she passed into the damp and
rather dismal grounds. Camilla's
thoughts turned as usual to the com
ing future. The nearer the time ap
preached the more she longed to post
pone the marriage.
Surely | ought to be able to invent
something t. s. me a little more
time" she said to herself; and just
for an instant it crossed her mind
how helpeful it would be if the chill
dren could have some slight ailment;
but she Immediately took herself to
task for this.
God forgive mel she said. Anc
she shivered at the bare thought Of
what an illness to either Of these
loved little creatures would mean tt
her. Still, she craved to keep hel
freedom At the same time, she rea
Used that an indefinite engagement
was out of the question. The man:
very goodness and generosity forced
upon her duty to him.
"The worst is she said to hersei
restlessly now, "he has no idea of thu
truth Of course, he knows don
love him in the way he cares for me
but | am sure he thinks l do care TO
him. I suppose l could never let any
body understand, even myself, how
feel about him =. how strangely
am drawn to him at one moment, ant
how | almost hate him the next. :.
The butler had told her that h
thought she would find the children OF
the road to the village.
And she moved in that direction
Her fretting, troubled mood broke an,
vanished as Betty's 1.-the small figur
same running round a corner of tn
road, and cry of real joy hailed her
1t was the height of bliss to Bett.
and Baby to have their mother witt
them for a walk.
'Kathie's coming. l ruined on be
cause | wanted to hide . and oh
such fun, mummy! we saw the hound
, and a lot of the field running an
jumping in the distance. They locke
so ''cited.'"
Camilla slipped her arm throug
Katherine's as the girl and Babs
, joined her.
81 missed YOU" she said; 81 didn'
know you were out" Then littl
I abruptly she added, Il think l sha
, have you back to town with me whe
l go this week I have been here s
long, really l feel ashamed of tres
passing too much on Agnes hospital
ty."
Betty clapped her hands. Sh
> wanted to see the big, new house tina
.. was going to be her future home.
Rupert had told her that she shout
choose her own furniture, and he
, own little bed, and that her roor
should he done IN eDtira1v &C cb