Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-19
Copyright, 1908, by J. B. Harris-Burland

fully. mo, I certainly do not know
anyone of that name'
1T is possible that she has changed
it," he continued.
BY marriage?" CURED Leonore.
MOI" he answered fiercely. Ger
tainly not by marriage. But she may
have assumed some other name"
Leonore noted the hungry passion
ate look on his face, and know well
enough that John Shil was in love
with the woman he was seeking for,
She also knew that he would resent
any reference to this obvious fact.
Il know several people of the name
of Laura" she said after pause,
but they are all, with one exception,
married women"
And the exception he asked
eargerly
"She Is fifty-six years of age she
replied with faint smile, land she is
the manageress of a society,"
That would not be Miss Vane."
Shil broke in with some vehemence.
II thought not" Leonore said drily.
But perhaps-if you would describe
the lady"
John Shil gave hating descrip-
ton Of Laura Vane Like most men,
and all lovers, he was totally unable
to give an accurate picture of the
woman, whose features were as fam
liar to him as those of his own face.
But before he had finished his weak
endeavour to portray the vision that
was In his mind, Leonore's face grew
very grave, and her eyes were turn
ed away to group of visitors who
were preparing to depart.
You will excuse me-" she said, ris-
ing to her feet II will return to you
in a moment. She crossed the room,
chatted few minutes with her guests,
and then, when they had departed, re-
turned to John Shil, accompanied by
Sir Harry Baxendale.
Sir Harry is obliged to co." she
began.
you needn't come Shil," the Am
bassador interrupted ''In fact,
would rather you didn't come You
couldn't accompany me further than
the door"
Yes" Leonore added, there is no
need for you to go, Mr.. Shil"
John Shil looked round the room,
and saw that everyone else had gone.
His British ideas of propriety were
battling with his desire to continue
his conversation with Leonore. But
he was not long in making up his
mind.
Il will stay few minutes, Miss
Jackson" he said, that is to say, If
don't bore you. am rather interest
ed in the matter we were discussing"
Sir Harry BaXendale smiled.
"Ah, you young folk" he said. 81
envy you your interest in words;
don't think | ever really enjoy a con-
versation. 1t is always my business
to detect the falsehood, which, to US,
is inseparable from speech
With the utterance of this cheerful
sentiment, Sir Harry Baxendale de-
parted, and Leonore was left alone to
John Shil
well, Miss Jackson?" he said
eagerly, ito resume our conversation
did my description--have you ever
met anyone who might-who might"
Leonore interrupted him with
laugh.
MY dear Mr.. shil," she said, call
have gathered from your description
is that the lady is very beautiful, and
that she has auburn hair. Now if you
had a photograph"
For reply John Shil pulled out a
small leather case, and, opening it,
gazed silently at its contents. And,
as he looked, even Leonore, who knew
nothing OF the story of his life, felt
great pity for the sorrow that was
written in every line of his face.
Miss Jackson" he said humbly, 81
feel that you are good woman, or l
should not-I should not show you
this--all that is left TO me OF the WON
an l--of the woman | want to find"
She took the picture from his hand,
and carefully scrutinised the features
of Laura Vane. They needed no such
scrutiny on her part, for the photo
graph was a faithful likeness, and
mere glance was sufficient to reveal
the Identity of the woman John Shil
was looking for in Paris.
But Leonore required time to think
In the first shock of the discovery she
could not decide whether to tell the
man the truth Or to lie bodily 1t would
be hard enough to tell this ardent
lover that Laura was the wife Of an
other man, almost impossible to tell
him that she was the mans mistress.
Then here was Laura herself to be
considered. Would Laura wish this
man to know the truth? Who was he?
What right had he to ask about her