Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-04-23

had brought her there against her
will. She was there at his bidding,
merely because she dare not offend
the man to whom both Charlie and
herself owed their daily bread.
For long time she had held out
against all his strongly-expressed de-
sires to see her. His letters had been
placed in her hand by special mes
senger, and Mr.. Warner, "the buyer
had on two occasions witnessed their
delivery, and wondered who might be
his assistants correspondent. He
never dreamed that 1T was Samuel
Statham, the man who held the con-
trolling interest in the huge concern.
The writer of those letters particu-
larly requested her not to mention the
matter to her brother, therefore shs'
more than once thought Of consulting
Max. But Statham's instructions was
that she should regard the matter as
confidential SO she had refrained, and
at the same time had met all his invi-
tations with steady excuses.
At last on the previous day came
tersely worded note, which made 1t
plain that the millionaire would brook
no refusal. She was to purchase
motor-cap and veil. and, wearing them
was, at an hour he appointed. to meet
a dark red motor-car that would be
awaiting her at Addison Road station.
In it she was to drive back to the
Marble Arch, where she was to alight
and walk along Park Lane direct to
the house, where he himself would
admit her in secret. The writer add
ed that she was to ask no questions,
and that no reply was needed. He
would be expecting her
And so she had come there In utter
ignorance of his motive in inviting
her, and as she sat before him she
became filled with apprehension. Hers
was. she knew, an adventure Of which
neither Charlie nor Max would ap-
prove.
The clever old man read the girls
mind like an open book, and at once
sought to allay her misgivings.
81 see,' he said, smiling, chat you
are not altogether at your ease. You're
afraid Of what people might say-eh?
Your fellow assistants wouldn't ap-
prove Of you coming to see me at this
hour, suppose. Yes" he laughed.
| What is considered discreditable
among the middle class is deemed
quite admissible in society. But who
need know unless you yourself tell
them?"
at will be known tomorrow morn
ing that was absent" she said.
Leave that to me. Only one per-
son will know-Cunningt himself
So make your mind quite easy upon
| hot yNi,,f q 1o1v "a
quite understand your hesitation In
coming here. 1t is, of course, only
natural. But you must remember in
and how for the sake Of his memory
have taken your brother into my
SERVICE"
Before we go farther, Mr.. Stat
ham, exclaimed the girl, 81 would
like to take this opportunity Of thank
/ ing you for all you've done for both
of US. Had it not been for your gen.
crosby I'm sure Charlie would never
have been in such position"
"Ah! you're very fond of your
brother, eh?" he asked in his quick
hrusque way, leaning back in his arm
cEa'r and placing his hands together
Yes. He is SO very good to me-"
"And you probably know something
Of his affairs?'
Very little. He doesn't tell me
much
"He talks of me sometimes, sup
pose?" remarked the old man with
a good humored smile.
with the greatest admiration al
ways, Mr.. Statham. He is devoted te
you" she declared.
The old man moved uneasily anc
gave sniff of suspicion combined
with low grunt of satisfaction.
He's engaged to some foreigr
woman, l hear" he said. "You know
her. of course"
''You mean Maud Petrovitch. Yes
she is my friend
"Petrovitch-Pet he repeat
ed, as though in ignorance of the
fact. 1--WE heard that name before
Sounds like Russian name"
"Servian. She is the daughter o
Doctor Petrovitch. the well known
Servian statesman"
"Of course l recollect now. He:
been in the ministry once or twice.
recollect having some dealings will
him over the Servian loan. He wa!
finance minister then And so he Il
in love with herr he said refectively
eff I remember Alright, she's the onl.
daughter. His excellency invited m,
to dine at his house in Belgrade on,
night few years ago. and l saw he
"a very pretty, dark-haired girl; sh'
looked more French than Servian"
Her mother was English"
"Ah!'
And dead silence fell, broken onl,
by the low tinkle Of cab-bell out
side.
$50 your brother is in love with tn
pretty daughter of the ex-minister
What a happy circumstance is youth!
sighed the old man. "And you your