Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-24

she was not wanted found an excuse
for leaving the two young people alone
together
"Well?" said Leonore coldly, when
Mrs. Audrey had departed. What
brings you here at this early hour?"
81 must apologize" he replied, "but
I wished to see you before left Lon
don. am going down into Essex to-
day. and wished to say Good bye to
you Leonore.
81 am sorry you are going" she said
in matter-of-fact voice. But have
asked you not to call me by my
Christian name"
John Shil frowned, and bit his lip
with vexation. Then he laughed good
humoredly.
Il know you very WELL" he said
apologetically.
TOO WELL" she replied, looking
away from him. "You come here too
often"
"You did not object to my visits in
Paris
"Things. are different in Paris she
said. eve are in London, and people
are more inquisitive in London.
think it is quite as well that you are
going down into the country"
'I am obliged to you for the
thought" he retorted sharply Il come
here often, because 1 enjoy your So
ciety, because l like to see you. Is
there any harm in it?'
l Leonore shrugged her shoulders,
and, walking over to table, took
bunch of violets from vase, and be-
gan to pick off the heads of the flow
ers.
as there any harm in it, Leonore?'
he repeated, following her to the table
and standing close by her side.
She did not answer him, but she
ceased to pluck off the heads of the
yiolets and stood motionless. Her
, heart beat very fast, and her face was
; very white, but he could not see these
| signs of her emotion
!, "Surely 1t Is an innocent amuse-
| ment," he continued. IT do nothing to
iniure your reputation. I think much
of your sympathy of the kindness
: YOU have shown me, Of"
: She turned round on him with blaz-
5 inp ewes. and he shrank from the look
| in them.
Sympathy" she said in cold
, voice that contrasted strangely with
| the passionate expression of her face.
e "Kindnesso Yes, have been too kind,
n too sympathetic. have done my best
t to make you forget Laura Vane- the
: woman who has thrown you over for
e another man. But you have not for
Y gotten her The mere mention OF her
e name brings the blood to your cheeks
One has only to look at you now oh
e you poor, weak fool, why can't you De
e strong enough to forget?'
d John shil gazed at her in amaze
g ment. and a sudden fear came into his
d mind. There was something in the
woman's face that even the forced
n GOODNESS Of her voice could not entire
| " conceal. Had he played the game
It too seriously? Had he made this WON
r an love him? If he had done this he
had passed all the limits Of honor ant
d morality. He saw himself as a con
n temptible scoundrel.
T. 81 have forgotten her." he replied
d mechanically. Laura Vane is nothing
u to me. And lam greatful- to YOU
;. for what you have done for havini
~ made me forget her.
20 20 Leonore laughed bitterly, and then
crossing the room to small writing
table, she unlocked the drawer ant
~ took out Laura's telegram.
1a "You say that Laura Vane is moth
=, inq to you," she said quietly; ''yo1
y, say that you have forgotten her.
" have here a telegram which I receiy
ed from her last night. 1t contains he
= address"
For a moment John Shil stood me-
tionless. His face was very pale an
he there was fierce hungry look in hi
IL eyes as he gazed at the piece of pape
- in Leonore's hand.
IL. "Well?" said Leonore coldly, as sh
ey observed the expression in his eye:
ad do you not wish to read it?''
II Her address?" he said in To-
~ voice; then you have known 1t a
Ill the time. You have kept 1t from me?
Ike 'I knew it for the first time las
n, night" the woman replied; "but eve
we If had known it all the time, woul
2r. it not have been right of me to kee
ur it from you? Laura is the wife of a.
other man. 1t is best that you tw
he should never meet again. 1t is the on
on thing that will ensure your happines
You yourself have realized that; ye
ok yourself have said, Laura Yane
IN nothing to me; have. forgotten her
he There was ring of sarcasm
I'M Leonore's voice as she uttered the.
lat last words. and look of scorn on h