Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-26

lHett teleSrdHl, QUICK. Will go to her
now-at once"
He stepped forward a pace and
held out his hand. His face was flush
ed with excitement, and he spoke
thickly, like man under the influence
of alcohol.
Leonore looked him steadily in the
eyes 1T is quite evident" she said
quietly, that Laura Vane is nothing
to you, and that you have forgotten
her"
Give me that telegram" he repeat
ed; for pity sake give it to me-"
If Laura had wished to see you
she would have sent for you. But she
wishes to see me. Apart from my own
feelings in the matter, am bound to
respect her confidence"
For our friendships sake, give it
to me-" he pleaded.
Leonore did not answer, but she
crumpled up the telegram into a lit
tie ball and clutched it tightly in her
hand John Shil came to her side and
laid his hand lightly on her arm.
"Leonore." he cried, 81 implore
YOU
She did not answer, and the touch
Of his strong fingers frightened into a
grip of steel. She knew well enough
what was in his mind. He intended to
take the telegram from her by force
If she refused to give it to him.
Please leave go of my ARM" she
said in low voice, you are hurting
me-"
For moment he hesitated. and then
the finer part of his nature prevailed
He loosed her arm, and, walking over
to the other side of the room, turned
and confronted her with a hangdoe
look On his face.
Forgive me" he muttered hoarse.
ly, i did not mean to hurt you. lied
to you when l said Laura was nothing
to me. She is still the woman love-"
81 knew that you lied to me-" Leon,
ore replied. 81 have known all along
why you pretended to be- to be my
friend. No actor that l have ever met
could have played the part to greater
perfection. But knew that you were
acting"
Her voice was clear and firm, but
her lips trembled and there were
tears in her eyes. Her face, however
was turned away from John Shil.
"Acting?" he stammered lamely
II do not understand, Leonore."
Yes she replied. 81 think you un,
derstand." Then she raised her eyes
and looked him in the face.
Good bye" he said, simply. not
even daring to hold out the hand of
friendship.
She did not answer, but turned her
back on him. He hesitated for a mo.
ment and then left the room.
John Shil understood The truth had
been written plainly on Leonore's
face. He knew that the game had been
carried too far, and that there was a
stain on his honor as gentleman.
Leonore stood motionless as a
figure carved out of stone. She heard
John Shil's footsteps as he crossed
the room, and heard the click of the
door handle as he grasped it in his
fingers. She could hardly restrain her.
self from turning round and crying
out to him. She longed to tell him to
stay with her; to tell him that she
would forgive everything if he would
only ask for forgiveness; to implore
him for some explanation, for a denial
of the charge she had brought against
MIN, even to say good bye" and clasp
his hand. Anything would be better
than this silent parting, this breach
between two friends who might never
meet again.
But her womanly pride put seal
upon her lips, and bound her limbs so
that she could not move Motionless
and silent, she heard the door open
and close, and not till John Shil's
footsteps had died away in the CORR
dor outside did she turn her head.
For few moments she stared at
the closed door, as though it shut out
the gladness of life and all the joys
of the earth from her longing eyes.
Then she crossed to the window, and,
leaning over the sill, looked down the
street. But when John Shil appeared,
she withdrew her head and shoulders,
lest he should look up and see that
she was watching him.
Then she slowly unfolded the
crumpled telegram, and smoothed it
out carefully between her finger and
thumb. She had to see Laura that