Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-15

ed, "but am not afraid of you. AnC
you, on the other hand, have nothing
to fear from me. l am not jealous
have no desire to claim you as my
husband 1t is pity that you can
not divorce me, but l am afraid my
life will bear the strictest scrutiny.
have thrust all thought of men out OF
my head | live for my art, and for
my art alone"
"Then why are you here?' he ask.
ed "Why have you thrust yourself
back into my life? Why could you
you want?"
81 wanted to learn the truth" she
replied. THAT woman's face has a
peculiar fascination for me. | could
not keep any eyes off it at supper last
aight. I am a student of character
She is not happy. I have come to the
conclusion she continued, that she
does not love you, and that she has
married you for some other reason.
do not understand, for she does not
Yook to me like a woman who would
marry for money
"Is there any reason" she replied.
81 am your wife, and it is in my pow
er either to speak or to keep my
mouth shut. From some reason or
other, l desire this woman's happi
ness. Perhaps it is ne whim, but
the desire is there, all the same'
''It does you great credit, Leonore,'
the man said fervently. But you
are mistaken in thinking that she does
not love me-
THAT is just what want TO find
out. If she does not love you, she
might be glad of some news that
would make her free again"
Not. if she had married me for my
money" he interrupted; and, in any
case, the shame would kill her But
there Is no need to contemplate such
an action on your part. Laura loves
ne, and l will fight to keep her-ay,
fight to the bitter end"
His eyes flashed, and he squared
his broad shoulders. He was fine
figure OF a man, and the pose suited
him Well Yet for all his brave bear
ing, he was trembling with fear. Ii
this woman once learnt the truth, she
would tell Laura everything, and the
latter would accept the shame with
resignation, knowing that the shame
had given her freedom.
That Is what have come here
for" the woman said slowly. Just to
learn the truth, that is all The prob
lem before me is IN interesting one,
but it is very difficult"
why can't you leave it alone?"
cried Tankerlane. 1T cant make any
difference to you one way or the
other"
'The proble7, Is very difficult
one she continued. as though she
had not heard the interruption, for
even If she loves you. it might be bet
ter for me to tell her the truth. RI
could, of course, di,orce you. Then
she could be legally married to you.
and you could boti. live happily ever
afterwards"
A cold sweat broke out on Tanker
lanes forehead This woman, more
keen and subtle of mind than himself,
presented a fresh c;.cet of thought to
every argument.
he said gently.
Not if she loved YOU" the woman
replied; mot if she really loved you.
Inc first sting of it would be keen;
but you would justify your deception.
You would be willing to make amends.
She would forgive you; she would be
glad that she had learnt the truth in
time; she would think of her chill
dren, and she would be glad
i think you had better leave we'll !
alone he stammered lamely; Eve |
are happy Surely that is enough
Your motives are doubtless excellent
but | am sure that if you interfere
you will only make mischief"
Il shall see," she replied 81 am
here today for that purpose. l shall
see II she loves you, and then l shall
know how to act.''
She loves me- he said doggedly.
Doesn't 1t strike you as curious
that she has left us so long alone to-
gether? 1t almost seems as though
she knew that-almost as though she
wished to place a temptation In your
path
A temptat.on?" said the man
scornfully. "She knows that 7 love
her with all my heart and soul, and
that no woman on earth could tempt
me-"
But in spite O. the scorn in his
voice. he had felt TIE sting of tho
woman's words. 1t was more than
possible, nay, 1t was probable, that
Laura had for some reason or other
purposely left him alone with Mrs.
Bonsal. He moved towards the door.
He realised that he must see Laura
before she entered the room, He
must ask her. must implore her, to
pretend to love him while Mrs, Bon.
sal was present
Then he stopped. He remembered
that, even If Mrs. Bonsal was con.
WINGED of Laura's love for him, she
might still think it best to speak the
truth. He foated between scylla and
Charybdis, between the grinding rocks
and the whirlpool Of the sea.
And, before he could make I'D his
mind what course to take the door
opened, and Laura herself entered
with an apologize smile on her face.
Il am 80 sorry" she said, crossing
to Mrs. Bonsal's SIDE But I've had
an awful time downstairs with Mon.
sieur Taque. daresay. however, you
two have not missed me; you have
had long, long talk over old times.
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