Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-08
THE FORBIDDEN ROAD
BY MARIA ALBANESI
Copyright by Maria AIbanesi Rights Reserved.
By MARIA ALBANESI
Copyright 1907 by Maria AIbsnesl.
CHAPTER V, Continued

The thin, SalloW face lit up.
Children? Yes, love children.
was a pupil-teacher two years before
l left school, There were some quite
tiny tots with Miss Beamish. She had
q large Indian connection, and also
children from all parts of the world.
When I left there were two dear little
soulG there from Barbados l cried at
seaying them" she siged, land don't
often cry" she added after a little
pause.
Mrs. Brenton went on eating her
breakfast, and Katherine Granger re-
lapsed into silence for moment
Then, with rush Of color to her
cheeks, she said:
"But please don't let me bother you
in any way, Mrs. Brenton. You have
ebeen already much too good. | dare
say Mr.. Haverford will arrange some
thing for me-
Agnes Brenton was about to an
swer this with some kindly words,
when they were startled by sharp
rap with stick on the door, and then
the door was opened and Camilla pre-
scented herself
She was in her riding-habit, and
looked slim and boyish and radiant,
and extraordinarily pretty and young.
"Oh, you lazy Agnes" she said, mot
finished breakfast yet! Look at the
time-nearly ten minutes past ten, and
I have been out since half-past eight"
She bent to kiss Mrs. Brenton, and
then gave Katherine simle and a
little nod, as Agnes Brenton hurriedly
introduced them.
GIVE me something to eat, for the
Lords sake! l am positively famish-
ed" she declared. She threw off her
riding gloves and tossed them, with
her stick and her hat, on the couch
Didn't you have anything before
you went out?" asked Mrs. Brenton.
"Good heavens, MOI"
Camilla stood in front of the look
ing-glass and ruf1ed her hair becom-
ingly.
Sammy sent word at eight o'clock
that he was coming at halfpast eight
He made Dennis wake me up. There
was no time for anything except
bath, and how I tumbled into these
things don't know
She sat down opposite to Miss Gran
iger, and began to eat with real enjoy
ment.
~ II am rather glad you are break
fasting late; 1t is a bit of luck for me.
You haye no idea how lovely it was in
the park, Ag. ,s,' she said. There
was not a scrap of fog. Thank good
ness for that! Those two dear chick
les of mine will be able to get out to-
day. And oh! Agnes, another blow!
Nurse came to me this mornig, just as
7 roir 1yifL AL oF,,1 r.to
about her father, or her mother, or
somebody being dreadfully i'll, and
asking me if she might go and nurse
the sick person. Isn't it too tiresome?
She had only been with me few
months. but really she seemed quite a
likely person Those poor children!
They do get such chopping and chang
ing. Oh, by the way!' said Camilla,
II think l had better send the horse
away; l can go home in hanson.
May 1 ring the bell?"
She half rose from the table, but
Katherine Graiger was quicker.
May l take your messenger" she
asked. She spoke shyly. This young
and very pretty woman was new ex-
perence to her She felt a little out
of the atmosphere, and imagining
swiftly that Mrs. Brenton and Mrs.
Lancing might have something to say
to one another, she seized the chance
OF leaving them together.
ooh, thank you! 1t is ever so kind
Of you. Just please say to the groom
that Mrs. Lancing will not ride any
more today.-Poor little SOUL" said
Camilla, sympathetically, as the door
closed, chow miserably thin she is;
she looks as If she had not had enough
to eat, and you are in your proper
quarter, Agnes, playing the part of
the good Samaritan. Well, now you
must help me, my dear, because nurse
is in earnest. quite expect to find
that she is gone when l get back. Why
on earth do servants have parents and
relatives? l believe they exist to have
the most mysterious diseases at the
most inconvenient moments Did you
ever know cook whose mother had
not bad leg, whatever that may be?
Oh, how l hate housekeeping! | feel
half inclined to live In hotel"
you ought to take the children in
to the country" said Mrs Brenton, in
her quiet way.
Camilla ate very good breakfast,
and then looked up at her friend with
quizzical expression.
well, Agnes" she said, and paused.
Mrs. Brenton just smiled