Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1908-02-01

moment later; Il shall die boxed up
at home. Why shouldn't we dine
somewhere and then go on to music
hall."
AS she got out of the cab she
dropped the envelope Haverford had
given her and, as she picked it up
hurriedly, her train of thought was
changed swiftly: & sudden sence of
delicious independence thrilled her.
The man whom she feared, and the
man who had shown her such chival-
rous generosity, and the man whom
she had married and lost, passed
from her thoughts. She felt as if she
were in sunshine. The cheque was
blank! She had not expected that;
there we're no limits to her intentions.
81 shall give Veronique something
or acccnlL. thai ~. .tnr ne,' writ
she said as she passed into the house.
And the children shall have new
coats, dear souls; they have been look
ing so shabby lately. Then l shall get
out my pearls and some of my rings
and other things first thing tomor-
row s. :"
On the hall table there were some
cards, splendid basket of flowers,
and square, white-coated packet.
Camilla loved to find white packages
and letters and flowers waiting for
her.
She shivered as she remembered
the cold perfection of the hall she
had just left.
Sir Samuel's card was attached to
the basket and the box of bonbons,
and he had left note also. Camilla
tore this open with nervous ges-
ture. then gave quick sigh of in
tense relief and ran upstairs quickly.
agnes" she called gaily, putting
her head in at the drawing-room,
Sammy wants us to dine with him
and go on afterwards to the play. We
shall Just have time to change. What
a bother you have to go out to dress!
Why not let me send for your
things?"
Mrs Brenton shook her head.
ooh, no. | will trot round to my
rooms. AS a matter of fact was just
going. VIII you call for me. Camilla?
The children are just asleep. They
tried to keep awake till you came,
but they were too tired
Camilla threw off her furs, and
then stole upstairs softly till she
reached the nursery. All was still
The two small bodies in the two small
cots never stirred as she approached
Mrs. Lancing bent over each child
and lightly laid hand as in benedic
ton on each little head. Then she
paused a moment before Betty's small
altar. The child had arranged it care
fully before going to bed there were
| la ;,, Iroc
and the red light burning before the
statute Of the Virgin was the only
| light in the room.
Camilla shut her eyes. She never re
/ membered any prayers; but Betty
| had just knelt there, and the child
prayers had hallowed the place; they
seemed to carry the mothers sou
with them Just little way.
| AS the nurse came into the room
Mrs. Lancing turned and, with hel
finger on her lip, went noislessly from
the room.
She dressed for dinner in mood O.
such mental exhilaration it seemed
like happiness. The sense of secAlrit!
coming after a more than usually try
ing mental strain, was maryelously
stimulating And all unpleasan
thoughts We're tranquilized if not 81
fenced.
Haverford's cheque was locked VI
in her dressing case She had not set
tied yet what sum she would inscribt
on it. Certainly small sum would bt
useless. So she mused as she ordered
her maid to bring her the flowers Si
Samuel had sent and she chose
few to wear as breast-knot
what is thousand to him, or, TO
the matter of that two?" she queried
"And even two will not go very far
Well, that is for tomorrow.
She pinned the flowers in her bod
ice and smiled at her reflection.
CHAPTER ".