Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-13

CiOSeQ Cne piano, put away tue puOtC-
graph of Fabian Dare among some
music, and went to the boudo1r to re-
ceive the call of Standish Vandra-
ken.
Vandraken was in high spirits. He
had enjoyed an adventure the night
before which had more than ever con-
firmed his belief in the efficacy OF
VonTarsenheims treatment. He had
never felt more boyish and lightheart-
ed than when he took Lady Kitty's
hand, but it lay in his moment long
er than politeness required, and mo-
ment is long time at certain crises OF
our lives--not long enough for train
to move an inch, but long enough for
a thought to flash round the world.
AS their hands fell apart Vandra-
ken had curious feeling that this
girl might, if he came TOO much in
contact with her, undo some of Won
Tarsenheim's work-by some con-
science-grafting process, some trans
fusion of personality, replace the con-
science he had got rid Of And the
girl felt that there was some vacuem
In the mans soul which was trying to
fill itself from hers. AS shutter of a
camera opens and closes, making no
change in the appearance of the in
strument, but leaving an impression in
side, to be. developed later, so swift
did the thought take shape and vanish
as an undercurrent in the stream of
conventional thought. The outward
processes of their minds hardly lost
step. Indeed, Lady Kitty rushed all
the swifter into badinage, realisins
that bridge was needed.
You have reputation to maintain
MIR. Vandraken," she said as she
handed him a tea-cup. But perhaps
you can only sparkle at night"
Like the stars, Lady Kitty? How
nice of you to suggest the smile, and
how reassuring to know that l didn't
bore you! Are you easily bored?"
Not easily, but often! Frightfully
often. You see mamma won't let me
have much to do with ineligibles. and
the others think they have done
enough for me by sitting and looking
rich, or forcing a revelation of ones
ignorance Of politics, machinery, or
the latest betting They never talk
about themselves suppose they con-
slider it sacred subject-only about
what they have or what they do"
But, surely. Lady Kitty, being
hard UP doesen't make man anus
ing? How could it?"
They have to sing for their sup
per, and twitter for their tea, and that
gets them into good habits. But
forgot-you are a millionaire your
self How did you"
well. you see" answered the young
man. after momentary pause, Amer
lean girls won't stand for bores. We
have an expression, Money talks but
it has got to talk amazingly to the
American woman, or flock by ITSELF
But, after all, humour, gaiety, respon-
siveness, are all rather like safety
matches-they must have a box to
strike on. Don't you think SO? But
what delightful little room! Why!
yes, it is The Frivolity!' didn't
recognise it at first"
"It is mammals boudoir."
81 do like this effect of furnished
gold. 1t blends with your dress, and
that brings out your eyes, They look
like turquoises set in gold" ~
The turquoises referred to opened
wider than usual. The American was
getting over the ground faster than
she had expected. 81 did not know
Mr.. Vandraken, that | was giving tea
to poet as we'll as humorist."
ooh! is that poetical? Yes, l sup
pose it isl On reflection, he was sur
prised at having said it at all. Prose
had always been more in his line.
81 think it is very pretty idea. Oh,
yes, you are quite poetical this after
noon; and yet, do you know, would
not have thought you could be.
should have put you down as frivolous,
but matter-of-fact.''
Then Ancestors warning, "You will
have to learn yourself all over again"
flashed into his memory. But are
there no frivolous poets on record?"
he said, rather aimlessly.
Lady Kitty calppeu ner hands JOY
ously Eyes, there is Edward Lear.
Don't you remember the Pelicans'
Chorus?
"'By day we fish. and by night
we stand
On long bare islands of yellow
sand;
And VIXEN the sun sinks slowly
down,
ana tne great rock GIFTS
Grow dark and brown,
Hand in hand we dance around
Why, if Tennyson had written those
lines, people would have raved over
them"
But not the last line" he laughed
Stamping our feet with a sound.
Tennyson wouldn't have written that"
Lady Kitty clapped her hands again.
ooh, am glad you knew that last
line, but that doesen't make the others
less poetical. imagine that the comic
devil in Edward Lear wouldn't let the
poet in him talk, but the poet was
there"
What delicious person she isl"
thought the young man. Her gaiety
is spontaneous
IF I were an artist, Lady Kitty, |
should paint your picture, and call
it The Joy of Living"
81 certainly do love life, there is no
doubt about that. There are some
alterations I could suggest, but don't
insist upon Them
mot alterations in yourself?" he
said, looking at her exquisite face
.---I-- Z i 1