Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-26

thought of self from her mind She
bed, and laid her hand on Laura's
shoulder.
Laura, dear" she said gently, "I
have tried to persuade you to do that
which is best for the child and best
for yourself But you seem to have
hardened your heart. You cannot ap-
parently think of anything but yo'lr
own hatred Of William Tankerla1e.
Yet he loves you, and will be &. good
husband to you, and if you marry him,
you ensure your own future and that
of the child. I cannot think You are
SO selfish as to refuse 10 10 this If
you think Of it calmly, you will see
that it is the right thing 70 do, and
the only thing to do. l have argued
with you in vain. Do not for e Inc
4 to use threats to friend"
Laura was silent She still knelt by
the bedside, and her face was still
buried in her hands She did not
}move; she did not speak; she did not
even cry. Her form seemed to have
been frozen into stiffness.
Laura, my dear Laura" sail the
actress, speaking as mother might
to her child, I leseech you TO dc The
only thing you can do with hoGct and
selfrespect There is surelv no need
for me to be unkind. For you; own
sake, for the sake of your child | i'm.
plore YOU ah, Laura, dear we al!
have to make sacrifices for shDse we
/ love- that is the browning glory Of
our womanhool."
The actress spoke sincerely, and
was moved by a genuine desire TO do
the best thing possible for her friend.
There was nothing Of the hypocrite in
her nature. She had for the moment
/ forgotten her own interests. She did
not plead bee lise she wished to place
Laura Vane beyond the reach of John
Shil. She pleal'l In the hope Of !oing
the best possible thing for Laura and
her child. The art Of the actress does
this at least Tor a woman: it gives
her the power Of thro ing her heart
and soul into i art, and believing in
the reality Of her acting
For = few moments Laura neither
moved nor spoke Then she rose sud
denly to her feet. Her fa3s WAS white
and hard and won as though she had
gone into the Valley of Deep Shadows
and seen things that MAKE the heart
weary and old
81 will do as you WISH she said in
a faint voice. II will make the eacrl-
fee"
| "Of your own free wiz asked Leo
more. "See here" and opening the ~
tie bag which served as /. purse, she
drew out SIR all packet Of bank notes
Here are notes for hundred pounds.
Take them. l am glad to lend the mon
ey to you. Take them and keep them.
without any reference to your decis-
ion, they are yours"
Laura held out her hand and took
the notes the mere bits of paper that
meant SO much to her. Her fingers
closed on them like vice.
| Nov you have the money" Leono'e
continued, consider your decision
again. and give me final answer
am no longer in a position to use
threats. You have money for your i'm
/ mediate needs. You are independent.
make no conditions. The money In
yours, whatever you decide to do
only ask you to do that which Is best
for yourself and your child
Laura was silent, and she turned
hel ayes from Leonores face TO the
face of the little child.
"The money is yours" said Leo.
more, land as much more as can af-
ford to give you. Now tell me wnar
you have decided to do. VIII YOU mar
ry William Tankerlane or not?'
81 will marry William Tank .',anc."
said Laura, almost in whisper. ~
can see that it is the only thing for me
to do
"You will do it of yolr own free
will?"
81 will do it for the sake of my
child" Laura answered tendcrly.
you have taught me lesson Leo
more; can see things more clearly.
/ see what motherhood means. | see
my duty to my son."
Promise me that yol will In this
when Tankerlane is free man"
| Il promise
/ Swear it by all you hold most sd
cred, by your God, by your hope of