Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-05-13

gold upon her lace and ha1r, trans
parent shadow She vas at this mo-
ment the most precious thing upon
which the eye may look--a wholly
beautiful woman. Kitty Killigrew,
standing in the easement window,
stared at her silently, not without
some envy not without some awe.
What was going on behind those
dreamy eyes? Only once did the wom-
an in the chair move. but this move
ment was tense with passion: she
clenched her hands and struck them
roughly on the arms of the chair I'm
mediately she relaxed, as if realizing
how futile such, emotion was. Kitty
stirred and came out. She sat in
the neighboring chair.
"Hilda?" said Kitty.
Eyes, Kitty"
who and what are you?" Kitty
asked bravely.
La Signorina's eyes wandered till
they met Kitty's. There was neither
anger nor surprise in the glance, only
deliberation.
"And what good would 1t do you
to know? Would it change our posi-
lions any? Would it bring money
from home any sooner? You already
know, without my telling you, that l
am unhappy. The adventures al
ways is"
Adventures? Kitty laughed
scornfully "The proprietor pretends
he does not know you, but am Ger.
tain he does. He forgets himself
sometimes in the way he bows to you.
He has even called you alteZza, which
you tell me is Italian for highness."
He is in hope of liberal tip"
'The proprietor? One does not tip
him"
THAT is true. I can not understand
his motive, then"
eff he also applied the title to me-
it would be different. He rarely no.
tees me. Won't you tell me what the
secret is 2"
How beautiful that white sail
looks!"
you know all about me- went on
Kitty stubbornly
Because you told me- never asked
you single question"
And you have told me nothing"
why should I? Come, Kitty, be
reasonable. Tell me what you think
of that sail. Is it not beautiful in the
sunset?"
st is-love?"
'Love?" La Signorina shrugged
poor Kitty, you are trying in vain to
make romance out of my life. What
should know of love? 1t Is a myth,
a fable. only to be found in story
books. You should not read so much"
ct is not curiosity" declared Kitty.
1T is because I love you, and because
it makes me sad when | hear you
laugh, when I see you beat your hands
against the chair as you did just now"
There was a tremble in Kitty's voice
that suggested the nearness of tears.
La Signorina turned again, in a
passion which was as fierce as it was
sudden.
There is a man." she whispered
rather than spoke, the pupils in her
eyes dilating so that the blue irises
nearly disappeared. But l loathe
him, l hate him, abhor him! And
were it not wicked to kill. he would
have been dead long ago. Enough! II
you ever ask another question:, | will
leave you. like you, but insist that
my secrets shall be my own, since
they concern you in no manner"
81 am sorry" said Kitty with con-
triton. But I suspected there was
man. l understand. He was false
to you and broke your heart" ro-
mantically.
mo, Kitty; only my pride"
at is strange world" unused Kitty.
1T would be otherwise were it not
H., ri Nd he IND oil
ways at war. But let US turn to our
affairs. l received a letter today
From home?" eagerly.
| 81 have no home, Kitty, The letter
is from a friend in Naples. Mr.. Hill
lard and Mr.. Merrihew, friends OF
yours, are in Italy
Kitty could scarce believe her ears
Where are they? Where are they
stopping"
| THAT I do not know. But listen
They have started out to find u.s. When
l tell you that Mr.. Hillard is the gen
tleman I dined with that night before
we sailed, you will understand my rea
sons for wishing to avoid him. From
this time on we must never appear or
the streets without our wells If by
chance we meet them, we must give
no sign. 1t will be only for a little
while. Your letter will come soon, ant
you may renew your acquaintance
with these two gentlemen when yo,
return home. 1t may be hard fol
you; but if you wish to stay with me
my will must be law unto you.'
mot to speak to them if we NEE
them?" urged Kitty in dismay.
NO.
But that is cruel of YOU They ar,
both gentlemen" said Kitty, wit
fierce pride.
81 do not know Mr.. Merihew, but
: can say that Mr.. Hillard is a gentle
man. | have proved that. AS for bein
cruel, am not; only selfish"
Are you not queen who has ru
away from Kingdom" asked Kit
bitterly. Zone reads about them ever
day in the papers"
MY dear, you are free to choose on
of two paths. Sometimes | need you
Kitty; and the sight of you and til
knowld age of your nearness helps me
! shall not urge you one way or tn
: other, but you must make your fina
} choice at once"
Several ninl1teS oascad Kitf1r l0ct