Ottumwa tri-weekly courier., 1908-02-18
By MARIA ALBANESI
Copyright 1907 by Maria AIbanesl.

equal, that friendship with her was
not only possible, but desirable, en-
dowed life for her in this moment
with an indescribable grace.
After Dennis had left her this night
she had sat thinking over the story
she had heard; as she pondered 1t
she felt she had drawn perceptibly
| nearer to comprehension of Camilla
Lancing and her complex character,
and the suggestion that it was in her
power to be helpful and comforting to
the children's mother had made her
heart thrill
Haverfords cold words of annoy
ance came most inopportunely.
1t was only natural, perhaps, that
she should misunderstood him.
Perhaps he thinks that l asked for
this work" she said to herself. and
she flushed hotly with humiliation as
the thought came. 81 wish had not
gone to him. And yet was her
next quick thought, eff i had not
gone / should not be here. Well!
when ! have paid him back the money
he lent me, there will be no need to
trouble about him any more"
She laughed little shortly to her
self.
"If had refused this work that
would have been wrong!"
1t was growing late, SO she turned
the light low, and then went to bed
There she lay thinking the matter
over and over again.
81 think | will send this letter On
to Mrs. Brenton," she decided, "and
| will ask her to advise me what
ought to do" AS the heat died out of
her feeling and she grew calmer her
mood changed little. She began to
Judge Haverford less sharply. Ger
tainly he was kind to me in his own
peculiar way, and there was no need
really for him to have done anything
at all. l suppose l ought to have con-
suited him." She sighed several
times 81 knew it was all to pleas
ant to last she said wearily, 81 knew
something disagreeahle would hap
pen"
1t was very strange, but a decided
feeling of regret came in place of an
noyance the more she thought over
the situation.
She had grown accustomed to hear
Rupert Haverford discussed and de-
nounced in the bitterest fashion by
his mother Just for this very reason
she had determined that it was prob
able that this man would be rich in
those qualities that we're so lacking in
his mother. Indeed, it was the con-
viction that he was just and honest
and straightforward that had driven
her towards him when she had found
herself so greatly in need of help
And he had not beied this belief in
him. When he had convinced him
self that she had an undoubted claim
on his mother, he had without hesi-
tation stepped into the breach and
taken upon himself the right to pro-
tect and to provide for her. And
viewing the matter in this quiet. prac-
tical way, it did not take Katherine
very long to assure herself that she
had not done exactly what she ought
to have done.
Il shall write to him tomorrow, and
| shall try and let him feel that am
sorry Very probably he won't trou-
Bile himself any more about the mat
ter; STILL shall write all the same"
And soothed by this determination,
the girl nestled down into the pillows
and was soon asleep
CHAPTER VIII.
Mrs, Lancing came home very late
4 that night
! She had dined firstly with Sir Sam
uel and another couple at one Of the
big restaurants. After that she had
gone to the play, and lastly she had
gone back to supper at the house OF
certain woman who affected a great
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