Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-08-12
and, besides. sick people take queer

fancies.
I'VE will talk about that when you
are stronger" I said gently.
But there are some things must
tell you," she insisted. "You must
wonder how l came here, and why |
stayed hidden at the lodge. Dear old
Ihomas has been almost crazy, Miss
lnnes did not know that Sunnyside
was rented. knew my mother wished
to rent 1t, without telling my-step-
father, but the news must have reach
ed her after left. When started esat,
had only one idea-to be alone with
my thoughts for time, to bury my
self here. Then must have taken a
cold on the train"
You came east in clothing suitable
for California l said, "and, like all
young girls nowadays, don't suppose
you wear flannels." But she was not
listening.
Miss Innes,' she said, has my
stepbrother, Arnold, gone away?"
What do you mean?" asked,
startled. But Louise was literal.
He didn't come back that night"
she said, "and it ) as SO important that
| should see him."
Il believe he has gone away" I re-
piled uncertainty. Isn't it something
that we could attend to instead?"
But she shook her head. II must do
1T myself" she said duly. "My
mother must have rented Sunnyside
without telling my stepfather, and
Miss lines, did you ever hear of any
one being wretchedly poor in the midst
of luxury?"
Did you ever long, and long, for
money-money to Use without ques-
ton, money that no one would take
you to task about? My mother and
have been surrounded for years with
every misunderstanding that
would make display. But we have
never had any money, Miss lines; that
must have been why mother rented
this house. My stepfather pays our
bills. It's the most maddening, humili.
| ating existence in the world. would
love honest poverty better"
Never mind, SAID when you and
Halsey are married you can be as hon
est as you like, and you will certainly
be poor"
Halsey came to the door at that mo-
ment and l could iea. him coaxing
Liddy for admission to the sick room
"Shal bring him in?'' asked Lou
ise, uncertain what to do. The girl
seemed to shrink back among her pill
lows at the sound of his voice was
vaguely irritated with her; there are
few young fellows like Halsey-
straightforward, honest, and willing to
sacrifice everything for the one wo-
I =, n 1yy,ox n.
thirty years ago, who was like that;
he died long time ago. And some
times | take out his picture, with its
cane and its queer silk hat, and look
at it. But Of late years 1T has grown
too painful; he Is always a boy--and /
am an old woman. would not bring
him back If could.
Perhaps it was some such memory
that made me call out sharply.
Come in, Halsey" And then took
my sewing and went into the boudoir
beyond, to play propriety. / did not
try to hear what the..- said, but every
word came through the open door with
curious distinctness. Halsey had evil
IDENTIFY gone over to the bed and
| suppose he kissed her There was a
silence for a moment, as IL words were
superfluous things.
II have been almost wild, sweet
| heart, -Halsey's voice. ''Why didn't
you trust me, and send for me be-
fore?"
1T was because couldn't trust my
SELF" she said in low tone. II am
too weak to struggle today; oh, Halsey,
| how have wanted to see you!"
| There was something did not hear
then Halsey again.
I'VE could go away he was saying.
What does it matter about any one in
the world but just the two Of us? To
! be always together, like this, hand in
hand; Louise-don't tell me it isn't GO
ing to be. l won't believe YOU"
You don't know; you don't know"
Louise repeated duly. "Halsey, |
care-you know that-but-not enough
| to marry you
That Is not true, Louise" he said
sternly. you can not look at me with
your honest eyes and say that
Il cannot marry you" she repeated
miserably. Its bad enough isn't it?
Don't make 1t worse. Some day, be-
fore long. you will be glad"
Then 1t is because you have never
loved me" There we're depths of hurt
pride in his voice. "You saw how
much loved you, and you let me think
you cared-for while. No-that isn't
like you, Louise. There Is something
you haven't told me. Is it-because
there Is some one else?'
(To be Continued.)
/ :