Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-31

nore,' he said in that same harsh
voice. 1T has been very lonely, and
1t is good to hear the voice of a
friend'
"Yes," she echoed family, at must
be good to hear the voice ola
friend"
| "Will you please sit down?" he
continued. Come near to the fire and
warm yourself. You must be cold"
\ THE fire will not warm me- she
answered in a low, strained voice; 81
have not come very far, you see.
have been staying at the Blue Anchor
at Pinge the last six weeks, and the
landlord drove me over in his dog
cart. l have not even wet my feet
4 with the snow"
| ooh yes, of course" he said hur-
riedly. Il had forgotten Forgive me.
should have remembered
"Well?" she asked YEARLY, as she
seated herself in chair by the fire.
What do you wish to say to me?"
Her voice was cold and hard. She
had expected such different meeting
to this.
But he had repulsed her as plainly
as though he had thrust her from him
with his hands. No amount of indif-
ference could explain the coldness of
his voice, for she knew that his
strength and pride had been humbled
in the dust, and at such moments the
human heart welcomes even the SYM
| pathy of a stranger
He did not answer her question, but
turning round, CROPPED feebly for his
chair. The action simple enough in
ITSELF spoke eloquently of all that had
happened since last they met In
| moment the hard look died from her
| eyes, and, rising swiftly to his feet,
she took him by the hand and led him
to his seat. He did not resist. and,
| when he had seated himself she fell
on her knees by HIS side, and press
ing her face down on his gaunt hand.
wept bitterly.
"Leonore,' he cried out 'Leonore!
There is nothing TO grieve over.
shall soon be we'll Please don't cry.
Leonore. | want to hear you laugh.
1t is long time since have heard
anyone laugh"
And Leonore laughed. as a woman
might laugh at the failure of her own
iilC. Vouiu iioIulHS ulOfS ILLS llldll
THAT is better" he said with
smile. She raised her tearstained face
and looked at him. There was no
smile on her own lips
May l sit here" she whispered.
while we TALK"
Eyes, yes. of course, Leonore." he
answered, with touch of irritation in
his voice. ''if You are comfortable on
the floor
She did not reply. but her fingers
sought his hand, and her caress was
more eloquent than any words could
have been.
i've been thinking, Leonore,.' he
began I've had plenty of time for,
thinking these last few waaks,, ile
paused, and his face twitched nervous.
ly.
"Yes?' she murmured after a pause.
yes. JACKIE
I've been think about our mar
rage he continued. Il am not the
same as when you promised to marry
me- can only be a hindrance to
your life. / can never do much in
the world now, but sit down and wait
should be a helpless burden to any
woman, and especially to woman of
TALENT
She did not answer him., but her
fingers frightened on his hand as
though he were slipping from her
grasp.
II have been thinking he went on
in e low voice, that have no right
to bind you to me, and that even if
you wished it, have no right to take
advantage OF your pity"
Il love you," she whispered; cit that
not enough?"
No he replied, sit is not enough.
| have no right to spoil your life He
spoke calmly, like one who discusses
matter Of business. There was no
tenderness no self-renunciation in his
voice. She looked at him sharply, but
his face was so stamped with suffering
that she could read nothing of his
thoughts.
Then other things have happened
since last we met" he continued.
"You know all about Laura, how she
came to me for protection, how I con
cealed her from her husband on Coma
sea Island, how | dishonoured myself
in SO doing, and was faithless to the
"oilidH lldu pIOullS6u 10 marry,
though I only .sinned in thought. You
know all this?"
81 know it," she replied coldly. The
mention of Laura's name had taken all
the tenderness from her voice
And knowing it, are you still con-
tent to marry me?"
She rose to her feet, and faced him
with white face and flashing eyes.
you wish me to release YOU she
cried. "Why do you pretend that you
are thinking Of my happiness? What
has happened? Why can't you speak
out like a MANI"
81 am not much of man-now,"
Shil replied slowly. But l do not
intend to be a burden to anywoman.''
"Burden?" she exclaimed sadly. "No,
it is not that you are thinking OF. You
do not like me. | can see it is your
face, can hear 1t in your voice. Oh.
for PHYS sake, speak plainly to ME
Jack Tell me what l have done, |
do so want to help you and comfort