Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-08-14


wrote the telegram down word for
word, afraid to trust my memory, and
decided to ask Doctor Stewart how
soon Louise might know the truth.
The closing of the Traders bank |
considered unnecessary for her to
know. but the death of her stepfather
and stepbrother must be broken to her
soon, or she might hear 1t in some !
and shocking manner.
Doctor Stewart came about four
o'clock, bringing his leather satchel in
to the house with great deal OF
care and opening it at the foot Of the
stairs to show me a dozen big yellow
eggs nesting among the bottles.
Real eggs" he said proudly. "None
of your anemic store eggs, but the
real thing-sore Of them still warm.
Feel them! Egg-nog for Miss Louise.
He was beaming with satisfaction.
and before he left, he insisted on
going back to the pantry and making
an egg-nog with his own hands. Some
how, all the time he was doing it, l
had vision of Doctor Willoughby,
my nerve specialist in the city, trying
to make an egg-nog l wondered If he
ever prescribed anything so plebeian
and so delicious. And while Doc
tor Stewart whisked the eggs he
talked.
II said to Mrs. Stewart" he con-
fided, little red in the face from the
exertion, latter l went home the other
day, that you would think me an old
gossip, for saying what I did about
Walker and Miss Louise"
oF 10 1rNfncfaH
"The fact isl he went on, evidently
iustifying himself, 81 got that piece OF
information just as we get lot of
things through the kitchen end of the
house. Young Walkers chauffeur =
Walkers more fashionable than am,
and he goes around the country in
Stanhope car-well, his chauffeur
comes to see our servant girl, and he
told her the whole thing. thought 1t
was probable, because Walker spent
e. lot Of time up here last summer.
when the family was here, and be-
sides, Riggs, that's Walkers man, had
a very pat little story about the doc
tors building a house on this prop
erty, just at the foot of the hill. The
sugar, please"
The egg-nog was finished. Drop by
drop the liquor had cooked the egg
and now, with a final whisk, last
toss in the shaker, it was ready, a
symphony in gold and white. The
doctor shifted 1t.
Real eggs, real milk, and a touch
of real Kentucky whisky" he said.
He insisted on carrying it up him
self, but at the foot Of the stairs he
paused.
Riggs said the plans were drawn
for the house." he said, barking back
to the old subject. Drawn by Hus-
ton in town. So I naturally believed
him.
When the doctor came down. was
ready with a question.
Doctor" I asked, sis there any one
in the neighborhood named Caring
/ ton? Nina Carrington?"
"Carrington?" He wrinkled his fore
head. Darlington? No, I don't re.
member any such family. There used
/ to be Covingtons down the creek.
"The name was Darlington" | said
and the subject lapsed.
Gertrude and Halsey went for long
walk that afternoon, and Louise slept
Time hung heavy on my hands, ano
| I did as l had fallen into habit Of
doing lately-I sat down and though
/ things over. One result of my med
itations was that got up suddenly
and went to the telephone. l had TAX
en- the most intense dislike to this
Doctor Walker, whom 1 had nevel
seen, and who was being talked of II
+ the countryside as the fiance of Louise
Armstrong.
I knew Sam Huston well. There
had been q time, when Sam was
good deal younger than he is now, be
fore he had married Anne Endicott
when I knew him even better. s.
now felt no hesitation in calling hin
over the telephone But when hi
, Office boy had given way to his con
I fidential clerk, and that functionar
had condescended to connect his en-
} ployer's desk telephone, I was some
) what at a loss as to how to begin.
why, how are you, Rachel?" Sar
said generously. Going to build tina
: house at Rock View?" 1t was twenty
: year-old joke of his.
5 Sometime, perhaps" l said. Gus
! now I want to ask you questlo
about something which is none of N
business"
81 see you haven't changed an lot
e in a quarter of a century, Rachel
!. This was intended to be another jes
I ASK ahead: everything but my d.
nestle affairs is at your service
TRY to be serious l said. "An
: tell me this: has your firm made an
plans for house recently, for Do
n tor Walker. at Casanova"
e Yes, we have"
Where was it to be built? l haJ
!. a reason for asking"
5. 1t was to be, believe, on tt
Armstrong place. Mr. Armstror
)" himself consulted me, and the infe
1t ence was-in fact, I am quite certa
the house was to be occupied by M
r Armstrong; daughter, who was e
he gagged TO marry Doctor Walker"
When the architect had inquired f
le the different members of my famil
and had finally rung off, l was &c
Ia tain of one thing. Louise Arnstrol
y was in love with Harley, and the m;
ut she was going to marry was Doct
Or Walker. Moreover, this decision w
hal {oi