Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1908-03-03
By MARIA ALBANESI

the sweet way you treated me when
we met down here in November But
1t was the other way about. took
you in, didn't II"
1t was very cold in this damp coun-
try road; all the world seemed grey;
the trees with their bare, seemingly
withered branches stood like spectres
against the dull sky.
Camiila's colour had faded. She
looked haggard.
please speak little more plainly"
she said
And Broxbourne answered her.
Not l. There is nothing to be gain
ed by telling the truth to woman,
especially to a woman like YOU"
She caught her breath sharply, al
most as if she had been struck. Her
incredible swiftness, fathomed the
significance Of these words. She put
out her hand and gripped his arm.
What has to be said must be said
to me, and to me only" Then sudden
ly she broke down. ooh, Sammy"
she said, IL know Don't you believe
know did you great wrong
There is nothing to excuse it, except
that you can't possibly realise what a
corner l was in What an awful
temptation it was! 1t has all been so
easy for you You have never had to
face hard times and black, killing diff.
f1culties You can't be expected to
understand what these things mean"
"Why didn't you ask me?" the man
said surlily; and she answered in that
same broken way:
Il Il could not. First of all
you had gone away, and then l was
afraid f.
She broke off abruptly; he looked
at her sharply, and again he laughed.
you thought would want pay
ment," he said. well you're RICH
there I have a good business in
stinct. l always like to get full value
for what spend, or what Is takeI
from me-"
for what spend, or what is takel
from me-"
At this juncture they had reached
the gates of Yelverton Park, and ST.
Samuel caught sight Of gardner. HI
hailed the man, gave the horse int
his charge, and burdened him will
all sorts of commands to the head
groom.
"I'll be round at the stables yer,
shortly" he said.
Camilla had walked on, but he over
took her. Her white, drawn fac
seemed to give him a great deal o
satisfaction.
"You don't offer to give back tn
money, but suppose that is what
in your mind" he said.
His half-bantering tone stung he
like the lash of whip; she was silen
only because she could not speak
well, my dear, you may as we
put that out Of your mind once an
for ALL that little piece of pape
which you worked at SO carefully
not to be redeemed by money"
He searched in his pockets, foun
his cigarette case, paused to strike
match on his heel, and began smokin
| without any pretnece Of courtesy.
This is funny world, and no mi!
take! was very fond of you Whe
was prepared to make no end of
fool of myself about you. And 20
snubbed me up and down dale; woult
MT have anything to do with me. o
were quite able to get along withou
my friendship, thank you. There al
some things that stick, you know
Camilla, and the way you shut dow
on me In those days is one of thos
things. | must say you have run
my notion of morality! | wasn't goo
enough to come near you, yet you ha
no hesitation whatever about snea
ing my money when the time cam
along"
An exclamation like sob escape
Camilla. He laughed.
1T is an ugly way of putting it
he said; but it Is the truth anywa
and fancy that with his peculiar
straightforward views, his workin
mans propensity for calling a spat
spade, Mr. Haverford will regard tt
matter in the same light"
The woman turned at this half pa
: sionately
You are not going to tell hin
/ Oh, you cannot You shall not!'
at lies with you to decide wheth,
| tell him or not"
He pulled out some smoke on to II
damp air, and Camilla watched
wreathe and separate and finally far
into the mist that gathered about Il
trees; watched it with eyes dry ii
not with misery and shame and fe'
r Suddenly Broxbourne turned to he
You must break with this man
!, he said; Il have prior claim.
, don't intend to let you marry him
S She stood still and looked at hi
T with dilated eyes.
Break my engagement? Impossib
y Impossible"
Y Her heart was trobbing in her brea
her lips were white.
e Nothing is impossible" anrwer
d the man. latter all. am not treatil
| you badly. If did the right thing
Y should go to Haverford What