Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-25
The Pauper of Park Lane
BY WILLIAM LIE oUEux
Copyright, 1908 by LIE Queux
Entered Stationers rights reserved
BY WILLIAM LIE QUEU.


girl:
He regarded her coldly with ex
pressionless eyes. His gaze caused
her to shudder. She withdrew from
him with instructive dislike. About
this man Of millions, whose touch turn
ed everything to gold. there seemed to
her something superhuman, something
indescribably fearsome. His very
gaze seemed to facinate her, and yet
at the same time she regarded him
with dlstrust and horror She was a
fool, she told herself, ever to have
listened to his appeal, She ought to
have had sense enough to know that
by bringing her there at that hour
he had some sinister motive
His motive was to wiring from her
the words of Maud Petrovitch.
Suddenly he altered his tactics, and,
drawing her chair forward again,
said:
Let us sit down and talk of some
thing else. You look pale. May l
offer you something's"
NO, thank YOU" she replied. 1t
was true that his threatening words
few moments ago had upset her,
therefore she was glad to be seated
again. He evidently did not intend
that she should leave yet.
Having reseated himself near his
writingtable, he said:
AS explained, want you, if you
will, to go on journey for me. The
A journey? Is it far?"
That all depends-if you are pre-
pared to render me this service he
replied.
Il am prepared to render you any
service, Mr.. Statham, that is within
my power, and my conscience per-
mlts me- she said in firm voice.
All, now, that's better. We're be-
ginning to be friends When you
know me, you will not accuse me of
ungentlemanly conduct especially
towards a woman. But" he added
with laugh, I'm a woman hater.
daresay you've heard that about me-
eh?'
She smiled also.
"Well-yes. I've heard that you
are not exactly ladies' man. But
surely you are not alone in the world
in that"
IF all men were like me, Miss
Rolfe," he said, there wouldn't be
much work for the parsons in the mat
ter of marrying
You've been unfortunate, perhaps,
in your female acquaintances,'' she
ventured to suggest. His manner to-
wards her had altered, Therefore she
was again perfectly at her ease.
Yes" he sighed you hace guessed
observation-disclosures >,
And then dead silence fell, and
Marion, watching his face, saw that he
was rejecting deeply.
OF sudden, he looked straight in
to her face again, and said:
You have lover, Miss Rolfe-and
you are happy. Is not that so?"
The girl blushed deeply at this ul,,
expected statement. How could the
old man possibly know, unless some
of the people at Cunnington's had car,
ried tales to him. Perhaps Mr.. War
ner had told Mr.. Cunnington, and he
had spoken to the millionaire!
Il see,' he laughed, that I've spok-
en- the truth. Max Barclay loves you.
doesn't he? He's friend of your
brothers know him, and allow me
to congratulate you. He's thorough
ly good fellow, and would be better If
he'd keep off hazardous speculation.
She did not reply The old mans
final sentence impressed her. Max's
speculations were hazardous. This
was news to her.
You don't deny that you love young
Barclay, do your" the old man de-
manded.
She hesitated, her cheeks crimson.
ing
We'll, why should ~" she asked.
He is very good to me-very good, in
deed"
That's right" he said approvingly.
IF | did not think him an honest, up-
right fellow | should warn you against
him Girls in your dependent position
you know, are too frequently victims
of men whom the world call gentle
men. You know that, don't your
Yes she answered in low voice.
She was impressed by his solicitude on
her behalf. In his eyes was a kindly
glance, and she began to declare with
in herself that she had misiudged him.
Well" he went on, when it came
to my knowledge that Max Barclay
was paying court to you, and that you
were seen together of an evening and
on Sundays, it gave me great salts
faction. | owe a debt of gratitude to
your poor father, Miss Rolfe, and I
am endeavouring to repay it to his
children. Therefore I admit to you
now that, more than once | wondered
what kind of a lover would be yours.
anticipated annoyance, but, on the
contrary, | have only the most COM
plete satisfaction"
am sure, Mr.. Statham, it is very
kind OF you to say this. And surely it
Is very generous of you to take an in
terest in Charlie and myself"
1t is not matter of kindness, but
a matter Of duty" he said 1--WE We're
talking of Barclay. How did you meet
him?"
Charlie introduced him to me one
afternoon in the park"
And he has promised you mar
riage? Tell me frankly"
She nodded, again blushing deeply
Then you have my heartiest wishes
for your future happiness" he declar-