Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-13
CHAPTER VI Continued. J

CEAPIER vi (COnClnueQ.)
When she was alone she mounted
the stairs slowly and sat down once
more on the stool in front of the
fire. With a sigh she clasped her
hands round one knee, and swayed
backwards and forwards, shutting her
eyes, and Agnes Brenton. coming In
rather softly. found her like this.
Mrs. Brenton paused moment be-
lore advancing, and then she went
forward and put her hand gently on
Camilla's shoulder.
What is it. dear? Did she scratch
you very badly?'
Camilla turned and laughed faint
".
"She always manages to upset me,
and as she came on purpose to be
disagreeable, her visit has been most
successful
Mrs. Brenton pulled forward a
chair, and sat down. She had left her
Knitting on one of the small tables
the day before, and she took it up
bow mechanically and began to move
The needles to and fro.
Camilla watched her in dreamy
sort of way Vaguely she wondered
to herself how many hundred pairs OF
socks Agnes had made in her life.
Il must be horribly wicked WON
an" she said suddenly. otherwise
could not possibly have given such
a scourge as being compelled to take
bread from these people,
II thought very long time ago,
said Mrs. Brenton in her calm, quie1
way, you had realized what to ex
pect from Violet Lancing. Dear child
It Is hardly possible that she should
be sympathetic to you"
''Oh don't really care two fig!
about Violet AS a matter of fact
am rather sorry for her. Did you SEE
the cut of her skirt? And tea at thu
stores is the only galety she ever has
poor soul. II she would only give MI
half a chance" Camilla added, &C
should be awfully kind to her.
After moments pause, Camill
said:
"n's the old man whom I reall
hate. Ned always said his father wa
an old devil, and so he is! 1t appear
he Is extra furious with me becaus
1 never take the children to see hin
- How can I? If he forgets all tn
horrible things he did and said t
me, have, unfortunately, muc
better memory"
Agnes Brenton took this matter u
quickly.
you have never understood Col
mel Lancing," she said. Just as b
could never be expected to unde
stand you That he is hard man
know we'll; but am convinced tn;
he is not as hard as you imagin
He set his face against your marriae
with Ned, not because he objected
you personally; that would have bee
ridiculous" interpolated Mrs. Bre
ton with a smile. "but because it w;
going to be miserable business e
you Agnes Brenton paused half
moment and then said in 10
voice. land the result justified tn
belief pretty surely"
Camilla spread out her two smt
hands to shield her fact from the fiji
Don't deceive yourself, Agne
there is nothing good about him;
is hard, he is cruel, he is horric
She moved restlessly. 81 wish | cou
cut them all out of my life, especial
the old man. What difference to I
daddy Oh, Agnes, if l only had de
dy with me now. Dear, good, lovil
heart, why did you die!
She bent forward suddenly al
rang the bell.
"I must have the room arrang
again. she said. Her pretty vol
sounded a little husky at looks t
hideous for words, and then deare
you shall have something to eat
second thought, am not sorry Vic
had bad lunch l hate every o
who belongs to that old wolf! {
Agnes, let us talk about that 81
Katherine what's her name?"
Mrs. Brenton turned the heel Of /
sock, and her needles clicked mus
ally for few moments. Then S
said:
well. I don't think you ought
do anything without consulting \
Haverford."
Good Heavens. why not?" exclai
ed Camilla. Bring back the flc
ers,'' she ordered the maid who
peared at the door at this nome
She got up and began to arrange
room in restless fashion, unlock1
drawers and taking out all the thir
she had hidden. 81 really don't
what Mr.. Haverford has got to
with it." she said irritably, after
while.
Don't your queried Mrs. Brent
with a smile you must remem
that Miss Granger went to him
night for advice and help
Camilla moved impatiently.
ooh, he will ltake month to de
crate He is SO slow Really it is v
ridiculous. You know l must HI
some one for the children, and N