Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-03-19

nes.aways absolutely on the square and ihave sold to thou
sss s na 5
c. e. Brooks, 6165 Brooks Bldg. mar
shall, Mich.
ed her brother. Old Sam is mil
lionaire, and millionaires need no pre-
tence. He could buy up this show
twice over, and then leave a million
for the death duties. You've taken
prejudice against him"
"a woman's prejudice-which often
is not very far wrong
81 know that you women see mucn
farther than we men do, but in this,
Marion, you are quite wrong. Old
Sam is eccentric and mean, but at
heart he's not at all a bad old fellow"
well tell you frankly, don't
like your going to Servia under his
auspices"
Charlie Rolfe laughed aloud.
my dear Marion, of what are you
apprehensive?" he asked. 81 go in
a very responsible position, as his con-
fidentail secretary, to inquire into Ger,
tain matters in his interests. II |
carry out my mission successfully,
shall get rise of salary"
Granted. But you know what
you've told me about the queer stories
afloat regarding Samuel Statham and
his house in Park Lane"
1--WE never believed them, although
they are, of course, curious. Yet you
must remember that every man OF
great wealth has mysterious stories
put about by his enemies Every man
and every woman has enemies. Who
has not?"
But you've admitted yourself that
you've never been in more than one
room in the mansion" she said. look
ing him straight in the face
That's true. But it doesn't prove
anything, does it," he asked. And
Marion saw that he was nervous and
agitated, quite unlike his usual self.
Perhaps, however, it was on account OF
her apprehensions, she thought.
She had only seen Samuel Statham,
the well-known millionaire, on one oc-
casion. She had called at the offices
in Old Broad street one afternoon to
: see her brother, who was his confiden-
, tail secretary, when the old fellow had
entered, a short, round-shouldered
gray-bearded old man, rather shabbily
dressed, who, looking at her, bluntly
asked who she was and what she want
ed there.
+ One of his eccentricities was that he
hated women, and Marion knew that.
/, In a faltering tone she replied that
. she was sister of his secretary, where
6 upon his manner instantly changed
He became the acme of politeness
r asked her into his private room, offer
= ed her a glass of port-which, o.
:, course she refused-and chatted tt
her most affably till her brothers re
:. turn.
Il Why she had taken such violen
q dislike to the old man she hersel
could not tell. Possibly it was his
sudden change of manner, and tina
3 his pleasant suavity was feigned. Ant
f this, combined with the extraordinar.
+ r1lmours regarding his past, and thu
r. mystery of his great mansion in Parl
o Lane, had caused her to view him Will
bitter prejudice.
r. Several customers were waiting Il
d be served, and Marion saw Mr.. Wal
s ner's eye upon her.
well, Charlie" she said, "perhap
k I'll get down to Charing Cross to Sc
O you Off You go to Paris first, | SUP
II pose?"
,. Yes. I take the Orient EXPIRES
n from there by way of Vienna an
Budapest to Belgrade But" he added
# don't come and see me off, there's
e good girl
why? I've been before, Whe
! you've gone to the Continent"
- Eyes, l know he answered in
N patiently; "but-well, it makes me fee
as if | shan't come back. Don't come
=. will you?"
= Marion smiled, His anxiety tina
~ she should not come struck her
! curious.
@. He was not himself. Of that sh
,e was convinced. To her, ever since he
IN fathers death, he had been goo
friend, and for a year prior to her Ell
= gagement at Cunnington's he had d
- vided his salary with her. No gi
~ ever had a better brother than he ha
~ been, yet of late she had noticed
complete change in his manner
~ was no longer frank with her, q
a, he used to be, and he seemed ofte
OF to hide from her facts which, with he
ne woman's keen intelligence, she ate
Id wards discovered.
Miss Rolfe!" exclaimed Mr.. Wa
ner, emerging from his office Disc
nc gaged?" And he pointed to pair
AZ somewhat obese ladies who were
w aiming a costume displayed on stan
,s well, goodbye, Charlie" she sal
,sI shaking his hand. 81 must go. We
~ very busy this afternoon. Perhaps
~ shall see you at Charing Cross.
not-then take care OF yourself, des
,u+ Goodbye"
And she turned and left him to ;
tend to the two ladies, while he, wi
va nod across to Mr. Warner, strobe 0
~, Of the shop.
M Il hope to goodness Marion doesl
no come" he muttered to himself Two
en- are so Internally inquisitive. A
if she does go to Charing Cross sh
81 sure to suspect something"
iie CHAPTER II.
,.s Concerns a Silent Secret.
he That same afternoon, while Char
n Rolf was bidding farewell to his sis
out Marion, Max Barclay was sitting
ct,, 80 ~ cr111 q