Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-01-25

would SCOlQ, ana talK aOOuI ING luIuic
solemnly, and OH! know | should
scream if she started the old discus
sion tonight; my nerves are all on
wires! If she had the power to do
anything it would be another matter,
but I suppose five-pound note would
be about the utmost poor old Agnes
could produce in an emergency. And
Camilla shrugged her shoulders. Just
before LEAVING town for Yelverton she
had spent -. asst available five
pounds at hairdresser's, while, at
the same time a writ for the sables
she had worn so becomingly that day
had been sent to her by registered
post that morning.
She threw off her hat and veil.
81 am rather anxious, Agnes she
said. 81 have had no letter from nurse
today"
Mrs. Brenton took the bait instantly
"Anxious? What about? There Is
no need to fuss yourself; nurse never
does write freely
"She promised faithfully to send me
word every day" said Mrs. Lancins
half ,fretfully.
"Well, look here, I'll go and tele-
phone through for YOU said the other
woman; with just little luck shall
find the line clear. The rush is Off
about this time, as rule"
Mrs Lancing had slipped from her
outdoor clothes into very pretty
dressing gown by the time the tele-
phone conversation was at an end.
Everything is all right Mrs. Bren-
ton announced. cheerily. "The chill
dren are just gone to bed. They have
been very good, and are quite WE'LL
| II miss them dreadfully,' said Ca
milla, and her voice broke little.
| Turning, she picked up. two photo
| graphs that were on the dressing
table, and kissed them passionatel5.
| "Miss them!' said Mrs. Brenton, in
her brisk way. ~ should think you
/ did. Dear little souls, can't think
why on earth You didn't bring them
with you; there are heaps of rooms
and children are never bother to me,
as you know. Well, now, I'll trot
away again. expect you feel thor
oughly tired out, Camilla Dinner will
be half an hour late. so you can take
it easy. Why don't you have forty
winks? That is heavenly chair for
a snooze.'
| Mrs Lancing was already crouched
up in the luxurious depths of the
chintz-covered chair. She yawned as
she cuddled into the cushions.
| Fancy Sammy Rroxbourne turning
| up so suddenly. Why didn't you tell
me he was coming, Agnes !" she ask
ed, little jerkily.
Because did not know it myself.
He wired this morning to ask If he
could run down for day or two. and
as I was not here, Dick answered for
me, saying, of course. he could come.
| I can't say that think he is much i'm
proved, and he has put on a lot of
flesh. He used to be rather pretty
boy, and now he is only common
place and very vulgar young man. By
the way, how did he and Rupert Hav-
erford get on?' inquired Mrs. Bren-
ton, little abruptly. She had made
/ move towards the door, and now
turned back again.
Camilla Lancing shrugged her
shoulders.
"a very clear case of hatred at first
sight! The moral Haverford sat in a
corner and scowled in silence. and, OF
course, Sammy used all the swear
words he knows just on purpose tc
make things pleasant"
Mrs. Brenton compressed her lips;
there was definite disappointment in
here eyes
She stood moment as if she had
something more she would have liked
to say: then. with an imperceptible
shrug of her shoulders, she turned
away, and, with another command tc
Camilla, to rest. went out of the room
Mrs. Lancing nestled herself more
closely into the big chair and shu
her eyes. Just as the maid was steal
ing softly away, she called the woman
back.
Don't go downstairs. Dennis, sht
said, .but stay in the dressing room
am going to try and sleep, but l ma.
want you
1t was a relief that Agnes Brentor
had gone. but she was almost afrai,
of being left quite alone.
Her maid took her sewing into thu
dressing room. but Mrs. Lancing hat
no intention of going to sleep Sh
lay with closed eyes, however am
after while some tears escaped fror
the thick lashes and rolled down he
cheeks.
81 never thought he would com
back so soon" she said to herself, S
YEARLY. so miserably; "he said h
would be away for ages and ages
, and and had almost forgotten.
She turned her face on the cushions
and bit them as if sudden physics
pang had shot through her, and 5
T she lay, breathing in sobbing fasl
ion for some time: then she lifted he
, head and pressed her hands to he
, brow and to her hot eyes
"And of course this must come,
she said, with fretful passion "whe
/ am so badgered and worried | don
) know which way to turn! Oh, ho'