Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-25
CHAPTER XII.

|
Miss Granger did not go down to
dinner that night. When bedtime
came Baby was restless and seemed
inclined to cough, and Katherine be-
came Immediately anxious.
Mrs. Brenton came upstairs. how
ever, and treasured the girl. She ad-
ministered homely remedies, and
prophesied that all would be we'll in
the morning
Then she tried to persuade the
young governess to go down to din
ner, but she failed.
"If you won't mind, would so much
rather stay here" the girl said;
.'Baby likes to hold my hand, dear
little soul, and I should not, be a bit
happy II went downstairs and left
| her" A;al 70 rra
well, do as you like, my dear"
Mrs. Brenton said; then she added, 81
am so glad you had lift home this
afternoon. Now my party is all COM
plete except for Camilla. l am very
vexed with her"
Katherine looked at her quickly.
"Why?"
"Well, she ought to have come
|
Agnes Brenton answered, impatient
ly; "she arranged to meet Rupert at
a certain time, kept him waiting about
for an hour and half at the station,
and then, when he supposed she had
come on here by some mistake, he
| follows her, only to find telegram
saying she has gone to Lea Abbey
and will not be here till tomorrow in
| %i,,&~ 60 {r1y
what has induced her to go to the
Bardolphs," Mrs. Brenton added, irrlt-
ably. "She says it is because Lady
Pamela is i'll, and sent for her; but
to my certain knowledge Camilla and
Pamela Bardolph have not been see
ing one another for months past"
Katherine followed Mrs. Brenton
out on the landing She felt subdued,
even saddened, as she listened.
"Of course I am disappointed, but
am not thinking entirely about my
self l am sure Rupert is far more
upset and annoyed than his manner
shows. All. well; by this time I sup
| pose l ought to know Camilla too
well to be surprised at anything she
| does! See that you have all you want
my dear, and if you should be at all
anxious about the child, don't hest
tate to send for me-"
AS she was passing on to the stair
case, Mrs. Brenton paused
"Mr Haverford has brought down
a number of things for the children.
He said he was going to send them up
to you. | hope they will learn to
grow very fond of him." said Agnes
Brenton. earnestly DO you know
that he has made them two little rich
people? He has settled quite a for
tune on Camilla and on her children.
Nothing can touch this money; it is
hers and theirs, whatever may hap
pen. He has asked me to be one of
the trustees for the children
Once again Mrs. Brenton turned
back as she was going, and kissed
Katherine.
For all reasons she said, '"I deep
ly regret that Camilla has not come
to us tonight"
1t was a long time before Baby
would be wooed into slumber, and
even then katherine did not like 10
leave her; not until she had assured
! herself that the child was sleeping
deeply and TRANQUILITY did she go into
the other room.
She only snatched few moments
to eat some supper. There was really
so very much to do.
An enormous parcel of costly
things had been sent down by Camilla
for the children, and every one in the
house had brought a little offering.
All these had to be ticketed and tied
up. No ordinary sized stocking would
hold what awaited the children, so
large baskets had been made ready to
put at the foot of each bed.
| On inquiring, Katherine found that
Mr.. Haverford had sent nothing up
to the nursery as yet.
After while she dismissed the
maid to go down to the servants sup
per, and was busy scribbling and ty-
| ing, when there came knock at the
door.
Come in she called.
] AS the door opened Rupert Haver-