Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-10-06
Copyright 1908, by ]. B. Harris,BurIand

| morse, the failure of a potato crop. the
lncompetency of the women who had
succeeded Laura in the dairy work
these were the tragedies of the story
But Laura did not smile as she listen
ed to them. She knew the great tras
edy of his life had been real enough
and though he did not speak of it
she could see the marks of it on his
race. And the thought of it was yet
another burden that she had to bea;'
yet another cause of self-reproach, vet
another instance of the cruelty of fate
| When he had finished his dull lit.
tie narrative, they were both silent
Then Laura rose to her feet. and
crossing over to his chair, placed her
arms round his neck, and kissed him,
Dear old father" she said tenderIy
you seem to be the only sure and
constant thing in the world. Every.
thing else changes. and slips away
from under ones feet, but in spite of
all my sins your love remains-only
your love remains
Tush, tush. child" he replied
you've great and fine life before
you. You'll have the power of dom
good to lot Of folk as needs It. And
you've your husband, Ind l know well
he loves you. Men In his position
don't marry farmers daughters I'm.
less they love them. God has given
you good husband, lass, and, If He
has thought fit to make the little one
from 'ee--well, that is for the best;
sure sartin that Is for the best. You
must think Of your husband, lass.
You need each other now. There was
power of sorrow in that hard face
OF his. Your place is " his side"
My place is by his side" she re-
peated mechanically, like a parrot try
ing to learn some set form Of words.
The old man rose to his feet and
looked hard in her face
rs he not good to zee, lass?" he
asked.
He Is very good"
and he loves, zee, too; ! know it."
Yes, father, he loves me-
and it is to him you'll go and find
comfort, lass?"
She was silent and turned away her
head.
Don't you love him, lass?" he ask
ed sadly.
She was still silent.
Don't you love him as you've
sworn to love and honor and obey?"
Eve were married in registry
Office" replied laura coldly: 4 did
not swear to love him.
Then you've sold yourself to him
for his money, his broad lands, his
name-and your heart-oh, Laurie,
may the Lord have pity on you'll"
He has punished me-" she replied
in a dull voice.
Sam Vane placed his hands on her
shoulders and looked gravely into her
white face
Go home, lass he said sternly,
"and God forgive you. Go to yolr
husband and give him the love he
needs. Now is the time, Laurie-in
the hour OF sorrow, when the heart IS
sore and tender. Go to him, lass. He
will welcome you. I've seen it i'll his
face. You should be all in oil to each
other at time like this.
q will co. she said YEARLY Good
bye. father, dear"
Goodbye, child" he said gently,
'and remember It's I'll the Lords
will"
He kissed her tenderly, and saw her
into the carriage which was waiting
at the door. And quarter of al hour
afterwards she vas at Tankerlane
Court.
Where is Sir William?" she asked
a footman, as she crossed the
threshold Of her home.
"In the library, my lady" the man
replied.
ha ln
door, and then, turning back, went up
to her bedroom She had resolved to
make peace with her husband and
give him the sympathy of loving
wife. 1t would not come from the
heart, but CLOSED over with the emu
ton Of the moment, it would pass for
the real thing. It was the only course
open to her. Life would be unbear-
able without a better and kindlier I'M
derstanding between them This was
the hour, the appointed time If she
let this opportunity slip it would never
come again. And yet she was afraid
to enter the library, and went up to
her bedroom to pray for strength.
Long and earnestly, she prayed,
asking for forgiveness and help IN
her difficulties.
ooh God!" she cried, eff have
blasphemed Thee, l ask for pardon.
If I have sinned, forgive me. But
keep me from temptation; teach me,
too, to forgive and forget. Let me 10
my duty as wife. and the mother If
the child Thou hast taken from me-"
She bowed her head in silence. and
then, moved by swift impulse, that
came almost as If in answer to her
prayer. she hurried downstairs, and
opened the library door.
Her husband was sitting in a chair
by one of the windows. On a small
table by his side was halfempty
bottle of brandy. His flushed cheeks
and the dull. stupid look in his eyes
told Laura the truth. He was drunk,
within an hour of his child's funeral.
But Laura, brave in the strength Of
her resolution, crossed fearlessly to
his side. He did not even look at hef
Il have come back, dear" she said
nervously, and then paused.
Very kind Of you" he growled, IN
thick voice. well, you can clear
out. and be damned to you!"
She looked for moment into his