Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-08-18

air was the nip and flip which indi-
cate approaching frost. Hugo stared
at dorn,er window projecting from
the heavily matched roof the window
of joys bedroom, whence she had
looked out upon the only world she
knew. Every object about had been
familiar to her since childhood, and
each, in its degree, formative in
fiuence in her life. To the left,
heavily outlined against the northern
sky, stood the church, in itself an ex-
traordinary tumble of styles VERT
able. page out of ecclesiastical his
tory, with its thirtenth-century tower,
fifteenth-century chancel, and pre-
posterous ighteenth-century nave,
filed with high pews, and above these
a wonderful three-decker pulpit
In joys simple life this church
loomed lalse In it she had been bap-
tized and confirmed; upon it's altar.
each Sunday, she had placed flowers.
To her. the three-decker pulpit was a
sacrosanct, because from it the World
had emanated for a hundred and fifty
years. She had been angry when
Hugo suggested that such abomina-
lions should be pulled down. A
Mottisfont in this, as in many other
things, she held. tenaciously to any
object of familiar use. Mrs. Giles
Mottisfont offered to present brass
lectern; the whole family protested.
These thoughts fitted, like bats, in
and out of Hugo's mind, terrifying his
determination to get possession of the
beloved object without making a con-
fession that must place it hopeless.
ly beyond his reach
A trim Darlour maid greeted him
with smile. Miss Vennable was at
home, but the rector had gone up
stairs to take a nap before dinner.
These homely details flowed fluently
from the girls lips Obviously she re-
garded Hugo as friend of the family,
and likely, no doubt, to become a son
of the house. What had escaped the
eyes of the protagonists was plain as
print to this village maiden. Nor did
she usher him into the formal draw
ing-room, but led the way confidently
to the cosy dining-room.
Joy was talking to a lady, who sat
with her back to the light, when
Hugo's name was announced Joy rose
at once and held out her hand
el1u Sldu W SSS yOu, SllS Sdlu Ill
that tone of delightful intimacy which
indicates that one steadfast friend is
speaking to another. That tone she
had used ever since his first visit to
the rectory. Then, as he took her hand
and pressed it. she lowered her candid
eyes and the blood flew to her cheeks.
1t was the most natural thing in the
world that he should call, but she was
wondering what Burgess had told him.
From the moment when she had con-
fessed that there was another, she had
realised, with shame, that the other
might hear of it, and draw humiliating
differences. Fortunately, her bushes
were obscured by the pink light from
the shaded lamp She turned to the
lady behind her.
'Mollie, you have heard me speak
of Mr.. Charters?"
Hugo felt his heart stop. He had
run an inconceivably reckless and
stupid risk. knowing that Mrs. Giles
Mottisfont was at the Park, he had
not considered the probability of meet
ing her at the Rectory.
She held out her hand Hugo had
to come forward, and doing SO such
light as there was fell full upon his
face. He realised instantly that Mrs.
Giles identified him. Her eyes spark
led, her lips closed. Her fingers just
touched his, seeming to chill him
through her gloves.
Then he heard joys voice, soft and
clear: Father says you've been an
angel to him.
He muttered something inarticulate.
Mrs. Giles rose.
II must be off," she declared Good
bye, DEAR She kissed Joy twice,
with warmth which rather surprised
the girl Come to me whenever you
CAM"
Hugo moved to the door, opening
1t, as Mrs. Giles approached with a
Storytelling motion. He thought of
her as snake about to strike. Their
eyes met: defiance in his, in hers in
flexible resolution.
Miss Vennable has talked a great
deal about you, Mr.. Charters, but
she forgot to mention that your Chris
tian name is Hugo. Had she done so,
could have told her that | knew you
quite we'll"
She bowed formally and passed out.
Hugo heard the sibilant swish Of her
silk skirts as she crossed the hail
She had struck swiftly and surely. A
murderous instinct seized him to fol
low and wiring her neck. He felt his
fingers curving inwards, while in
violate custom twisted his lips into a
conventional smile, because: she might
look back. She did not. Conscious of
having done the right thing at the
right moment, Mrs. Giles was too we'll
bred woman to exhibit triumph. She
was very sorry for Joy, but she count
| ed Hugo the meanest man in the
kingdom, for her cousin had indeed
talked a great deal about Mr.. Reginald
| Charters.
He closed the door and came back
into the middle of the room. Joy was
| looking at. him with glance so visit
full, so pure, SO trusting that the evil
in him withered as if touched by some
white flame. The incredible had hap
pened; she had heard and had not be
lieved
SIS Mollie quite mad?" she said, in
low voice.