Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-09-24
ollowed the receipt of Laura's tele

followed the receipt of Laura's tele-
gram.
Lauras telegram arrived at the Re-
gal Theatre shortly after the rise OF
the curtain on the first act. Leonore
had only had just time to read 1t be-
fore she was called on to the stage.
But in the first interval she sent OH
a reply to the effect that she would
call at Widely street about twelve
o'clock on the following morning.
For the rest of the evening she was
the Comtesse de Larnac, and her mind
was SO occupied with her part that she
could scarcely give Laura more than
a passing thought. But when she re
turned to her house in Pont street she
thrust aside all recollection of the
play and began to ponder over the
startling news contained in the tele-
gram.
Laura was evidently in need of help,
or at any rate of some friend who
could give her advice and sympathy.
It was also pretty certain that she
had left Tankerlane. Leonore was not
we'll acquainted with London, but she
knew that Deptford was hardly the
sort of place that her husband would
choose to live in, unless he had fallen
on evil days. 1t was possible, however,
that Laura, who wished to hide from
her friends, might select neighbor-
hood where she would not be likely
/ to meet any of them.
Leonore slept but little that night.
Her sympathy for the troubles of an
other woman was mingled with some
anxiety as to the part she herself
would have TO play in the matter. 1t
was not at all to her interest that
Laura should leave Tankerlane, and
she had resolved to do all in her pow
er to keep John Shil from meeting
the woman he had once loved so well.
At first the resolve had been the re-
suit of her desire to do the best she
could for the benefit of others. 1t was
now strengthened by a determination
to act for her own happiness. So long
as Laura Vane was free to marry John
Shil, so long would she prove a dan
gerous rival. Leonore fiattered herself
that she intended no disloyalty to her
friend. The circumstances Of the case
were such that it would be kindness
to keep Laura Vane and John Shil
apart.
At half-past ten the next morning
the footman brought up card and
Leonore frowned as she read the
name. She did not wish to see Johr
Shil at that particular moment. Bu
she could hardly refuse him an inter
view He had probably called on some
matter of Importance. Men do not pa!
society calls at half-past ten in the
morning
"Tell Mr.. Shil I will see him. she
, said to the servant, and then she
! turned to an elderly lady, who hat
looked up from her perusal Of thu
Times with a frown on her wrinklet
forehead.
Dear Mrs. Audrey" she said will
laugh, please don't be shocked.
, know the hour is unconventional Blu
$ it is probably something of impor
. lance"
Mrs. Audrey rose to her feet, AM
laid aside her spectacles. A faint f1us
came into her aristocratic old face
! Although her duties were those OF
:. paid chaperon, she was genuinely fon
= of Leonore. and the actress repaid he
. affection by treating her with almos
' filial respect Never for a moment wa
!, Mrs. Audrey allowed to feel that sh
y was in a position of a dependence.
"My DEAR" she replied gently, &C
4 course | am not shocked, but | thin
@ you see too much of Mr.. Shil. Peopl
|. have already begun to talk, and l al
d not at I'll sure that he is sincere !
It his attentions"
d 'I hope he is not" Leonore rotor
It ed sharply. Il am sure l do not el
courage his visits
o Mrs. Audrey looked keenly at til
h speakers face and smiled. She had a
is ready grown suspicious of Leonore
If marked GOODNESS towards John Shi
d Very we'll, my DEAR" Mrs Audre
If said meekly, "only l think you ha
S. better tell him not to call so often.
d only excites comment, and it is II
t. possible to be too careful. You wi
is forgive me for speaking to you Ill
ID this, Leonore, but l am an old woma
n, and it is the privilege of age to giN
Id advice that has not been asked fo
n And you know, dear, that have yo'
- happiness at heart"
e. For reply Leonore went up to Il
le old woman and kissed her lightly {
I'd the cheek.
id Then John Shil entered, and shoe
lie hands with both women. A few ge
Id eral remarks passed between Il
IN three, and Mrs. Audrey, seeing fro
,h the expression on the mans face tn