Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-26


morning She did not know exactly
where Deptford was but it was GER
tainly a long way from the West End
and it would probably take two hours
to reach the place. Laura was in great
trouble and required immediate help
1t was no time for idle dreams and
vain regrets.
Yet Leonore fingered and frowned
at the telegram in her hand.
why, after ALL" she said to her.
self, should | help this woman, who
stands between ME and the desire of
my heart? If she is suffering, let her
suffer; if she wants advice or help,
let her cry out for it in vain; if she
is near to death, let her die"
CHAPTER XVII.
For little while Leonore was
tempted to disregard Lauras tele-
gram. She was smarting under a cruel
blow She had not wept, or cried out,
but the whip had cut into her flesh,
and she ached with pain. It was only
natural that her mind should be en-
FILTERED, and that she should turn a
deaf ear TO her rivals appeal for
help.
But such thoughts cannot remain
long in the mind Of any good woman.
Leonore reused herself from her brief
spell of madness, and her cheeks
grew hot with shame, as she realized
TO what depths she had fallen. She
crossed the room and rang the bell
Get me a hanson, please" she
said to the maid who answered her
summons. "As quickly as possible
But the hansome waited ten min
utesA at the door before Leonore was
ready to start. She was clever and
strong-minded woman but still was
not free from the weakness OF vanity,
and she was particularly careful of
her appearance that morning. She was
well satisfied with herself as she look
ed in the glass. Her tastes in dress
were quiet, but magnificent Every
thing she wore was simple and very
costly, for she bought all Of her things
at the best shops in Paris perhaps
the most expensive in all the world
The drive to Deptford was long
one, and she had plenty of time to
think over her own position in regard
to Laura and John Shil. She did not
as yet know why Laura had sent for
her, nor what she would be asked to
do for her friend. But the situation
was already monstrous and impossi-
bic, and more than one ugly thought
came into her mind. Her wish to help
Laura was strong and sincere, but
she fought in vain against a desire
that was even stronger and more near
to her heart her love for John Shil
There was no maidenly pride in the
nature of the great actress a pride
which forbids young girl to even let
her thoughts dwell on man who
does not love her. Leonore Tankerlane
was a woman of the world, with
strong passions and keen intellect.
She had forced her way UP from OBJ
security to fame. She was mistress of
her own life and her own actions. She
occupied a large place in the world
Of art, and could not possibly place
herself on level Of a bashful school
girl. She had lived clean life, and for
many years she had thrust all thoughts
Of love out Of her mind. And now that
she was in love with aGman she long
ed for him with all her body, mind
and soul.
And as the cab passed from the
West End to the City, and from the
City to the East, she tried to reconcile
her two desires to common plan Of
action. She wished to help Laura -
and she wished to advance her own
interests. If she could do both it
would be well with her. If she could
only accomplish one desire that
was the cruel dilemma, the eternal
battle between duty and inclination.
And as she stared at the slums of
the East End with eyes that saw moth
ing of their poverty and dreariness,
she smoothed out the whole tangled
skein of her thoughts with calm and
faultless skill, and she smiled com
placently as she came to a definite
conclusion. The whole matter sudden
ly became ridiculously plain and sim
pie. She would divorce William Tan
kerlane in America. She would then
be free to marry John Shil, if she
could win his love. And. on the other
hand, Tankerlane would be free to
marry Laura, and make amends for
the wrong he had done to an innocent
woman. If Laura consented to the
marriage she would cease to be a
rival
Leonore persuaded herself that this
arrangement would be best for all
parties, and that 1t would certainly be
In the interests of Laura herself The
latter's position in the world would be
placed on a secure foundation. Tan
kerlane loved her, and would iumn at
the chance of making her his wife.
John Shil could never marry her, aft
.er what haG happened. This would