Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-06-06

both fighting that feeling Of fairness
which pervades rooms the day after a
Dance or any other great gathering
of people. The dim echoes of many
personalities, the reek of fading
thoughts, hung about the curtains, like
stale tobacco smoke.
II wish someone one liked would
come in," observed Kitty, looking
mournfully at the generous provision
of teacups and cakes.
Yes, Or someone one hated" an
swered Lady Donoyle YEARLY. But
even ones enemies fight shy Of one
the day after dance, and who can
blame them? The servants pink-eyed
and drowsy, and all the air breathed
up Oh! what is it, William" to a
footman who entered with a card
board box.
From the florists, your ladyship."
'"The bill for last nights flowers, !
suppose murmured Kitty.
"You may put it down on that chair,
William" said Lady Donoyle.
do open it, Kitty" said her moth
er. when the footman had left the
room. "Of course it is for you. Have
you no enthusiasms? They are part
of girls outfit her first season. and
should be worn during her second, ex-
cept at very youthful parties"
ooh, mamma! do look at them!"
said Kitty, excitedly, holding up
sprays of wonderful mauve flowers.
Aren't they exquisite? did not
know such rare orchids were ever
seen outside of collectors treasuries!"
Very seldom. l imagine" replied
her mother, feeling about the box
for the card. Il thought SO! Stand
ish Vandraken, Millionaires' Club,
New York. The Cosmopolis.' Poor
dear! He seems to have no home
only clubs She read on the other
side Of the card, "'May pay my par
ty-call this day week?'"
How nice and informal of him!"
said Kitty. "And how thoughtful to
send flowers exactly at the right mo-
ment!"
Her mother had hitherto refrained
from mentioning the millionaire. eyes,
isn't it?" she answered american
men are charming in that way You
rather liked him, didn't you, Kitty?"
II found him delightful, mamma.
So amusing, SO responsive-such a
nice, slangy, expressive way of speak
ing; and he didn't take himself a bit
seriously, like most rich young men"
That's because he has fifty mil
lions. If he had onl yone- Still, I
don't know. He is an American. AS
nation, they take nothing seriously
except themselves; as individuals,
they take everything seriously except
themselves and the person they are
talking to. So perhaps even gilded
youth is light-heartei there. am so
glad you liked him, Kitty
when I was talking to him I had
curious feeling about him''-Kitty
looked down into one of the orchids.
and then at the back of it-"as
though he was picture painted in
profile, and that If l could get round
and see the back of the picture, the
other side would be painted, too, but
quite differently
mo, do!' Lady Donoyle laid an I'M
ploring hand on her daughters arm.
Don't get into the habit of looking
at the backs of pictures. Kitty. They
are usually dusty, and hung with
cobwebs-particular mems por-
traits. Keep your eyes on the nice,
fresh paint and the gilded frames
particularly the gilded frames"
you are talking generalities, NAM
ma; but there was something special
about Mr.. Vandraken, as though If l
could only get round behind, I would
find a little devil hard at work paint
ing caricature of the side that was
turned to me, and that I could fright
en- the little devil away"
"Dear Kitty" remarked her mother,
affectionately, pouring herself out
some tea, chow we'll you put things!
Yes, you must marry Mr.. Vandraken,
and brighten the little devil away
The canvas is so new. am sure there
is not much at the back"
81 don't think Mr. Vandraken has
any idea of marriage at present" said
the girl, reflectively.
II am sure he hasn't, dear. Why
should he want to marry? He has nc
family, no place, no traditions; he
only wants to flirt with you because
you are pretty and amusing. and an
earPs daughter. Do you remember
that game used to play with you
when you were child?" Lady
Donoyle locked s~s hands together
leaving a little opening between the
thumbs. 'Put your finger in tbs
crows nest. Don't you remember
Kitty?''
Her daughter nodded.
We'll, that is the game Mr.. Van
draken wants to play. If he gets
caught, so much the better for him
SC much the better for u.s.
81 think he will be very elusive-in
ollned to snatch his finger away very
quickly, mamma. He understands
VINO to play with fire. Even II be