Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-04-29

genii? Had he ever, even In his most
romantic dreams, expected to turn
page so charming, so enchanting, OF so
dangerous to his peace of mind?
game of magical hide-and-seek? To
see, yet to be blindfolded! Here,
across the small table, within arms
length, was a woman such as had he
been a painter, he must have painted;
a poet he must have celebrated IN
silken verse. Three-and-thirty? NO,
he was only a lad this night. All his
illusions had come back again. AT
word from this mysterious woman, ne
| would have started out on any fooIs
errand, to any FOOLS land.
And she? A within, fantastic, I'M
accountable whim; the within OF a
woman seeking forgetfulness, not
counting the cost nor caring; simply
whim. She had brought him here to
crush him for his impertinence; and
that purpose was no longer in her
mind Was she sorry? Did he cause
| her some uneasiness, some regret ana
sadness? 1t was too late. There could
be no Prince Charming in her world.
He had tarried too long by the way.
Not that there was the least senti-
|
his presence, his freshness, his frank
honesty, these caused her to resort TO
comparisons 1t was too late indeed.
On the little table was Tuscany
brass lamp of three wicks, fed by olive
oil. 1t was sufficient to light the table.
but the rest of the room was sunk IN
darkness. He half understood that
there was a definite purpose in this
emi-illumination: she had no wish
that he. should by chance recognize
anything familiar in this, house. Dimly
he could see the stein-rack and the
plate-shelf running around the walls.
Sometimes as the light fiickered,
stein or a plate stood out boldly, as II
to challenge his memory.
He watched her hands. The fingers
were free from rings. Was she single
or married.? The maid had called her
signofa but that might have been
disguise, like the mask and the patches
of courtplaster.
May ask you one question:
NO" promptly There was some
thing in his eyes that made her grow
wary of sudden.
Then l shan't ask it. shall MOI
ask you if you are married"
"And l shall not say one way or the
4 other"
She smiled and he laughed quietly
He had put the question and she had
answered it. a
Neither Of them ate much of this
elaborate dinner. A game like this
might easily dull the sharpest appe
tite. He studied her head, the curves
of her throat, the little gestures, the
way hire shoulders seemed to narrow
when she, shrugged and all these
pictures he stored away for future
need. He would meet her again;
touch of prescience told him this
When, where, did not matter.
A running conversation; fencing
match with words and phrases. Time
after time she touched him; but with
all his skill he could not break through
her guard. Once or twice he thrust IL
a manner which was not in accord
with. the rules.
''And that interesting dissertation
on the American gentleman" she sail
icily, putting aside each thrust with
parry of this kind.
That's the trouble with posing as /;
moralist; one must live up to the pre-
cepts. Would you believe me if | toll
you that, at the age of three-and-thirty
am still heart-whole?
She parted: II thrust you will no
!. spoil that excellent record by makini
love to me-" She reached for tn
: matches, touched off one. watched
: burn for a moment, extinguished II
9 and then deliberately drew a lin
!, across the center Of the table-cloth.
Now what might that represent? h
: asked curiously.
!, "a line, Mr.. 4Hillard. The momen
. you cross that line, that moment 70
: cross that line, that moment you leav
a this house. On guard!"
: Come that is not brave You ca
: retreat till your shoulders touch tn
= mat, but must stand this side Of tn
y line, unable to reach you. And 20
:; have the advantage Of the mask b.
;, sides. You are not fair fencer.''
q "The odds should be in my favor.
i am woman. My wrist is not SO stron
= as yours
= physically, of course, may pas
= the line; to reach the salt, for il
= stance. Will that be against tn
. rules?"
;, .'To a certain extent, no.
# "You make it very hard. You hay
: put temptation in my path
7 bid Satan get behind thee
"But supposing he should take
!. into his head to-shoulder me TO
:, ward?"
- "In that case, under the new rule
~ I should referee the matter"
: 81 wish knew the color Of yol
g eyes behind those holes I see not
a. ing but points Of fire, no color. Al
: they blue, brown, grey?"
"They are blue. But supposing
wear this mask because my face
a. dreadfully SCARED, and that l ha'
~ some vanity?' \
. "Vaniety, yes; but scars, never;
;, least never SO deep as you yourse
- can make. You do not wear that ma.
y : to cover defects, but out of mercy
n. ~ me-
=. And so the duel went on Sometim
-, the heat of the mask almost suffocat
~ her, and she could hardly resist the {
". eli to toar from, ba, fooo vot