Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-08-13

| acle happened. The strain had last
ed for nearly two months. During
that time she had confronted hor-
rors with smile, had laughed when
nothing but laughter would have re-
strained tears
You are in trouble" said Hugo.
speaking quickly and gripping her
hands, "but master it, master it,
Don't let it master youl'
Instantly, she was sensible that she
had sent for the right man.
Eyes, yes"
He felt her rigid muscles relax.
Withdrawing her hands, she sat down
to repeat what Tisdale had said. Hugo
listened, filling in the gaps. When
she had finished, she faltered piteous-
ly: He stood there" pointing to the
heart rug, land when he went away /
was left alone, for he seemed to have
taken father with him. She glanced
at the two chairs, adding: Father
won't come downstairs for some time,
and, when he does, | shall have to
watch him, knowing that at any mo-
ment he may be snatched from me-"
| Then leaning forward, holding UP her
hand, she exclaimed: Don't tell me
to hope for the best! Mr.. Tisda1e said
that AS if | shouldn't! But in my
heart know that the old life is over:
our long walks, she looked at the
map, ARE only memories And from
now on | shall never hear his voice
without thinking of the time that is
coming" she shivered, when | shall
not hear it,
THAT time may not come for many
years"
"Of course, | shall try to think so,
but Mr.. Tisdale made it plain that the
disease is organic. quite incurable |
sent for you because you are friend,
because had to speak The Aunts
will call today. 1 shall be told:
Your dear father will be better SOON
can't you hear them? And shall have
| to reply: Yes, Aunt Priscilla, Yes
Aunt Lavinia,' when I'm wild with
misery. Have you ever known what
it is to be cut in two and to know
that one part, the best part, is going
! to be taken away
my mother died when / was a
! baby Hugo replied; and my father
was not very unlike Sir Giles Motifs
| font"
/ Uncle Giles is responsible for all
L
/ can't bear to so near him. I'm
ashamed of being Mottisfont. II
anything happened to father I should
never want to see any of them again,
Do shock you?"
mo"
why can l speak out to you, and to
no one else?'
! Their eyes met; then Hugo answer
ed duly:
you knew that you could rely on
my sympathy; you knew that /
would understand. And if | could say
anything! He paused as if some
superlative effort on his part might
evoke the right word: then he added
slowly: you spoke of memories.
Isn't that something? Something
| which is yours for ever and ever. |
would give a great deal to have such
memories. And Tiff the worst should
happen, thank God that you are able,
to look back upon years of happiness
given to very few. If l were as
| you---'
He broke off abruptly. Joy had
never taken her eyes from his face.
Now she rose and approached him.
you have had trouble, too?'
YES
Il knew it. That is why wanted
you, that is why you understand l
saw it is your face the first day we
met"
My trouble was different to your.
lost something which might have
been the real thing and wasn't. And
my memories are-well, l keep them
under lock and key"
She noticed that he din't look at
her, that his attitude conveyed an
an idea detachment of aloofness. Just
then bell tinkled. Joy rose.
That's father He wants me.
Thank you again for coming. All the
same, those who have lived in sun
shine can hardly understand what life
IS without it."
you will have plenty of sunshine
yet"
mot here, if he goes"
Hugo looked back, when he reached
the door. She was standing near the
mantelpiece, following him with her
eyes. Upon her face lay an expression
peculiarly sad and forlorn as if she
had asked him for bread and received
a stone. He told himself that he ought
to have said more, that what he had
said was platitudinous and uncon-
vincing. Was it likely that young
woman would be content with mem
cries, however fragrant? And who but
the middle-aged and elderly could
think of sunshine when it was raining
cats and dogs?
He walked back to the cottage an
noyed with himself and the sorry part
he had played and annoyed with Joy.
He would have liked to have said, al
most brutally: ''You are one of the
most fortunate young women l know:
you have a lover who adores you and
who is exactly what he ought to be.
If the present seems dark, think of the
future!"
His last words had limited at the
future, but she had apparently not
understood him. And yet, all the time
she was speaking, and most particular
ly at the moment when she had seem
ed upon the ragged edge of collapse,
he had been thinking: ..She sent for
me, but she wants Burgess. Burgess
+o1- r. ,,, I,,e