Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-02-22

You see, | KNOW pfacClCally nothing
about this girl"
and you know too much about
me-" finished Mrs. Lancing, with a lit.
tie laugh We'll, as it happens, it
is the best thing possible for both of
us. You can see for yourself that the
children have turned to Katherin +,
Granger just as little ducklings turn
to water: and as for myself except
for Agnes Brenton. think this girl
Is the nearest approach to what l call
a real woman I have ever met: so l
hope" witt, a flash of her old man
ner, you are not going to interfere.
exert your rights as guardian or a
parochial officer, or whatever you are,
and take katherine away"
He only smiled. The question Of
katherine Granger was of no real in.
terest to him.
AS he remained silent Camilla felt
that heartbeat sound again with
heavy thuds in her ears.
do sit down." she said to him, al
most weakly; "you-you look SO big,
so commanding, as you stand there.
assure you l am not well enough to be
awed today / think must have
some tea. If l have cup of tea
shall De stronger.
| When the bell had been rung, and
answered, she really had taken a grip
of herself.
at is very nice of you to come and
see me- she said. when did you
get back?"
81 arrived just before lunch" he
said; Il came down in the MOTOR
Wasn't 1t very cold?"
He nodded his head.
Eyes; the country Is rather bleak
just now Then he smiled Now l
will sit down. he said. since my
size is so alarming"
Camilla's delicate fingers were pick
ing at the lace on her sleeve a little
nervously.
so you have only been back an
hour or two. and you came to see ME
at once. Now that was very sweet
must have told you that was dull
Of you, Mr.. Hayerford. Some instinct
and lonely, and dying for a pleasant
companion
Haverford's brown face colored g
little.
"The truth is, Mrs. Lancing," he
said, 81 felt in need Of sympathy, so
came to YOU"
Sympathy Has something hap
pened? Oh, do let me know"
She spoke for the first time natur
: ally
He sat forward and looked into thu
fire for moment, and then quietly
and in very few words he gave hel
the story of what had happened or
rather, the story of what he had dis
,, covered up north, and Camilla listen
ed eagerly; her own trouble, bite
and pressing and painful as it was
! faded from her as she listened.
II don't suppose anybody in tn,
wide world knows what this means t,
me- Haverford said. slowly, when HI
! had spoken of his disappointment, o
the breakdown of his hopes 81 wa
so fond Of those people 1 counted 81
surely on their faith in me, in thei
,, real affection Money is very de
structive thing. Mrs. Lancing! will
]. stake my existence that there is no
a man or woman who had not goot
thought for me in the old days An.
now there is not one, apparently, who
would not enjoy fiinging a brick a
me-"
Camilla did not speak for moment
: II think I understand" softly
then she said But I don't believe
can give you sympathy, Mr.. Haver
) ford. I am sure this has gone to'
deeply for any words of mine to hell
you
! She stretched out her hand, how
ever, as she spoke. and Rupert tool
it, laying it on one broad palm ant
closing his other tenderly over it. H,
felt the nervous thrill that raj
through her. Her face was scarlet a
, she took her hand away with a jerk
Here comes tea she said. "YoI
> are going to wait upon me, please. Nj
: Haverford. l don't feel quite equal t
u lifting the teapot
), When he had done this gravely. TAX
ing any amount Of care, and they wer
), alone, without any further interrur
| ton, he stood once more by the fire
3 place, and looked at her
: Now I have told you my trouble
won't you tell me yours?
. She WINGED and caught her breath
:, and then, with sudden irresponsible
movement. she put her hands to he
face, and he saw that she was CRY
I ing
His own hands moved ,vulsivel,
y but almost Immediately Camilla ha
{ mastered. her weakness
Don't think me quite fool,
! she said, speaking with great effor
= "and don't. please don't, run ava
J. with the idea that I want to cry.
!. must be very strong now. !" 4
" never want to cry. tears are us'
e less at all times, but they are wors
=, than useless now believe sh
" said, as she dried her eyes hurried,
that it won't surprise you in the leas
/ to be told that l have always bee
? more or less in difficulty. OF cours
I it is money-hateful, horrible, horribl
money"
u She got up and moved away fro,
him, still drying her eyes.
v 81 dare say lots of people have tol
D you all there is to know about me, an
SO you may have heard that the onl
u money have in the world to live u
e on has come to me from my husband
le people. Well! then you will unde
u stand little bit why 1 am so ups,
'e today. when / tell you that Colon
y Lancing, that is, the children's gran
father, is SO angry with me that /