Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-10

Right you are" said Tankerlane.
| "Will you dine with us?"
Thanks, and we'll make jolly
evening Of it. Supper afterwards at
the Ritz, Ell? It'll be great. sup.
pose you don't go out much?"
ooh, yes" Tankerlane replied cold
ly. why shouldn't WEI"
II thought perhaps perhaps" he
stammered, and stopped, growing very
red in the face Mrs. Tankerlane
came to the rescue.
1--WE didn't at first" she said with
a smile; my husband was afraid of
being recognized But we are drawer
now You see, lots of people know
Will, but none of them know me. He's
met some of them, and they've asked
/ questions, and, we'll She laughed
merrily.
you are the first of them I have
introduced to my wife, said Tanker
lane.
ct is a great honor for me-" Port
lington replied simply.
The words we're spoken in such 4
way that they seemed no mere empty
compliment, but a genuine expression
of gratitude for the favor.
|
come change after the quiet of Craw
cour," she said, reverting to the sub
ject Still uppermost in her mind, and
introducing it. with commonplace
remark
YES he replied "for a week or
two. l couldn't stick it for much long
er. am very fond of my home
though l believe 1t is considered bad
form to be so. l like country life
and Crawcour is really a ripping
place. You must come down there
when Tankerlane has made it up with
his guvnor. I'll take you out IN my
yacht"
81 have always heard Crawcour is
very beautiful place. she said, "ane
I hope to see it some day-by the
bye, Will, If I'm going to the theatre
tonight, should like the hairdressel
to come round You might go ant
telephone for him at once"
Certainly, Laura. You'll excuse me
moment, Piggy" and he left the
room.
"There's a model husband for you,
said Portlington gaily; some mer
would have rung the bell and told 6
servant to do it."
eve have not been married long,
replied Mrs. Tanker.ane, with laugh
"but we were talking of Crawcour.
should so much like to see it, Nov
I come to think of it, l believe Sit
Robert Tankerlane's agent is manag
ing your fathers estate"
what, John Shil? Why, yes, O
course. I remember he was recon
mended by Sir Robert, who is an ole
friend Of my fathers
How does he get on?"
ooh, splendidly. He's one Of the
best; a thorough sportsman, a goot
man Of business, and a fine fellow al
round. We like him immensely. One
of my sisters is quite in love will
him.
eve all like him very much" sait
Laura. "and I'm speaking from ten
ants standpoint. How does Esse'
suit him? He was not well when h'
left Laverstone.'
"He doesn't look up to the mark,
the young man replied, "but I never
met such beggar for work. His ply
steal strength must be enormous. He:
a quiet, reserved sort of chap.
should say he's had lot of trouble
and is trying to forget it in sheer har;
labor"
Eyes, he has had a lot Of trouble
said Laura slowly Lord Porting
ton, I will be frank with you. I cal
trust you, and should like you to b.
my friend. John Shil was at one time
engaged to be married to me. | onl.
tell you this because I wish to asl
you not to mention his name to m,
husband; and of course you will sa,
nothing Of me to Mr.. Shil or anyon
else"
Lord Portlington stared at her il
amazement, and then, recovering hi
senses, held out his hand.
Here's my hand on it, Mrs. Tanke,
: lane,' he said. I'm not very brillian
but think understand"
But, as a matter of fact, he unde,
stood very little. He thought tina
Mrs. Tankerlane, dazzled by the a
tention of the heir to the Tankerlan
estates, had thrown over her humble
lover, and that she was sorry for hin
Mrs. Tankerlane would have aske
more about the man she loved, bu
at that moment her husband entered.
They all three talked together abou
various common place subjects, an
then Lord Portlington left.
When he had gone, Tankerlan
crossed over to the writing table b
: the window and looked at the shee
, of paper, bearing the date in hi
l wife's handwriting.
S ITO whom are you writing, Laurie
he asked quietly; but there was
!, glance Of suspicion in his eyes thu
e did not accord with the indifferer
!. tone of his voice.
!, ooh, to Elise" Laura replied; "ths
I new frock she is making for me-the
G are SO slow, these dressmakers.
$ can't think how they employ the
4 time"
/ She flung herself in chair wit
e her back to him, and turned over til
/ pages of a new book
e (To be Continued.)