Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-05-24
! THE EVENING STORY !
THE RESULT OF A RUsE.
BY M. G. ENGLAND.

CudlT dlLST IuclT udACc. IL Huu WV
the fifth waltz, and so far Paul Orm-
stead had not been near her. Hereto
fore he had always come to her first
and claimed as many dances as she
would give him, but tonight, for
some reason, he had absolutely ig-
nored her presence. She leaned back
and her gaze wandered across the
room to where he stood with Leah
Ellicott his fair head bent above her,
Leah's face, with it's dark vivid color
ing and deep glowing eyes, raised
to his. Her heart contracted pain
fully. Was he angry with her? She
had done nothing. True she had re-
fused to go to the play with him the
following Friday, but only because
Tom Saunders, her partner in the last
dance, was coming that night for
dinner. Tom was an old friend,
very old friend, and often came to
dine and spend the evening with her;
vet for some reason Paul had seemed
holly to resent her refusal of his in
vitation when she told him the cause.
How could he be so unkind-so
stupid! She stirred restlessly
Tom Saunders closed the fan he
had been welding and rose.
Lillian" he said, won't you come
outside for few minutes? You are
pale and the air will do you good"
She assented listlessly and they
passed out into the warm spring
night and wandered slowly down the
garden path.
"You must put on your scarf, DEAR"
he said. "The night is warm, but 1t
won't do to risk anything" Taking
it from her, he dropped it gently over
her head and shoulder. then with
sudden movement took both her
hands and crushed thew between his
own.
"Lillian-dear," he whispered, with
a break in his voice.
Her eyes grew startled. She drew
back.
"Why Tom, what is it? What do
you-"
Don't you know, sweetheart?
Surely you know-that love you
have always loved you? Lillian"
tom, stop! You mustn't did
not know-how could L? never
dreamed"
His face grew white. 'Wait Lii
lian," he pleaded. 81 don't want you
to answer me now. have taken you
by surprise-I know only too well
what you would say. But please
wait-wait till Friday night, when
come. I know, perhaps; it is no use,
but do just that one little thing for
me. Wait. and tell me then. Will
you promise?"
II will promise, but"
Then that is all want. Come
now; we will go in"
AS they walked back along the
path Paul Ormstead strolled toward
them cigar held casually between
his fingers. Lillian thought he looked
at her strangely as they passed, al
most, she thought, with flash Of re
sentiment, suspiciously.
I'm tired, Tom," she said. IT be-
lieve I'll go home. Will you find my
brother for me?"
The remainder of the week passed
feverishly for Lillian, who dreaded
the coming of Friday. when she must
hurt Tom so dreadfully. She had
never dreamed of such thing. never
thought Of loving him-how could
she when her heart was filled with
another. But Tom was so good. so
thoughtful. Would it make differ
ence? Would he cease to be her
friend? Somehow she couldn't bear
the thought of that.
Friday afternoon, as she sat up
stairs in her room, looking out. over
the warm spring landscape, the maid
brought her card.
"Mr. Paul Ormstead."
Her heart beat unanimously. What
could he have come for, now? She
had not seen him since the night Of
the dance, and she was very angry
with him. She hesitated.
every well, Annette" she said.
finally, I'll be down."
When she came into the room Paul
Ormstead met her with an assured
smile. 81 just ran in" he told her,
''to see if you had changed your mind
about tonight"
Changed my mind?" she repeated
coldly Certainly not! Why should
I do that?"
He seemed nonplused.
Nov, don't be angry, Lillian" he
protested. "I thought maybe you
would decide to let Saunders come
some other night and 20 with me-
"Do you suppose" she asked. with
had disappointed me I would consent
to go with you after-the other
night?"
ooh, that" He laughed complacent-
ly. 81 knew you would be put out about
Leah. But couldn't you see. dear. that
only did it to make you jealous?"
"Jealous?" An angry light stole
into her eyes.
"Whv-er-yes, he stumbled, less
assuredly now. "You know girls
never do know their own minds till
something like that opens their eyes.
If they think they're losing chap,
why, then
"And so you believed that when 1
thought was losing you would dis
appoint Mr.. Saunders at any cost and
accept your invitation?" Li1lian's
voice was dangerously soft
Paul Ormstead fidgeted uncomfort.
ably. ooh, come, now. Lillian. don't
be hard on chap There's no harm
in little ruse like that. Lots of fell
lows do it. And, honestly, you've no
idea how hard it was to keep away