Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-10-15

against the wall. covered with gold
colored velvet. l saw her fling back the
covering and kneel beside it, fumbling
with the lid. heard the clicking OF
what seemed series of locks. At last
she turned her head and spoke,
Come here!"
rose and went slowly over to where
she knelt in the shadow.
"Sit down."
seemed involuntarily to obey those
imperious words. took the seat she
indicated, q carved stool drawn near
the chest, and saw her just lifting out
long string of blue flashing stars. 1t
was like toy, like one of those
strings you hang upon Christmas
tree, only hundred times more bril-
liant. "She how pretty" she said, and
ran 1t through her fingers In little
blue stream; then, with an easy motion
shoulders. She put her hand down into
the chest and brought out long, long
string of pearls-if pearls had ever
been so large long as the rosaries !
used to string Of oak balls. and
dropped 1t over my head. felt the
great weight Of 1t upon my neck
Look" she said, taking up velvet
case, opened It, and showed me, lying
on a crimson satin bed, q necklace ike
wreath Of light. There was no under
standing the preciousness OF that. the
shock OF the realization Of what they
we're sent the blood into my face. Her
eyes laughed at me with aigleam that
seemed devilish. She, threw the box
into my lap She took out rings and
covered my fingers with them, drops
OF blood. red: and brilliant green and
rainbow colors. couldn't seem to
speak or move. thought she must be
mad.
"Here," she said, and leaning to-
ward me, deity pulling out the pins
and took of my hat Then In both her
hands she lifted something from the
chest, and before could ftop her she
HAD pressed it down upon my head.
Then she rose Her face was flushed;
her lips parted eagerly on her gleam-
ling teeth She caught my hand ana
pulled me in front Of great mirror
that hung upon the wall
I saw reflected there small, shrink
ling figure. with white face, in white
dress. crowned with circlet OF gold
and hung with necklaces that made
brightness in the shadow. l heard the
Spanish woman's voice speaking ex-
lcitedly close beside my cheek.
There Is not their like In this state,
lin this country. Some Of them nave
come out Of the greatest houses IN
Spain. They will make you rich, tney
will make you beautiful! They are
nothing to me; Twill give them to you'
eyery one to keep forever! Take them
take them all! And go away! just
for three little days; until the trial is
overt
shrank from her in mere amaze
ment In the first moment I did not
take in what she meant.
mo. but listen,'' she cried, catcnlng
at me. ~ can make it easy for you to
go. have influence Will help you
/ will hide you! We will arrange the
story"
I raised my hands to my head. NOW
4 I was choking with anger. with tears
LIDO you think would do Tor THESE
/ what l would not do for him." 1fted
the circlet off my head, but my hands
shook SO that it fell and rolled on the
floor between us, and believe we
/ both forgot 1t. do you suppose l dom
care as much as you do? | would 40
ANYTHING In the world to clear him OF
| this charge. But you don't understand
to clear him; can't hush it and hide
lit. 1t wouldn't make it come right and
I don't believe he wants me to. don't
believe that is what he meant. know
1 he would hate me If saved MIN Win
such a lie!'
4 she grew white. A small, sharp
shadow came on each side OF her
mouth. Her lips parted with a sort OF
gasp. "What do you know about saw
! ing or dying; what do you know about
hating or loving? You would not lie
oh. no! You would save him--if ne
were innocent! Why, you child,
. would save him the same 1t he had
killed fifty! You are so precious OF your
little self, and your little virtue. Virtue!
Pal! II love him-and that is my vir-
ltue!"
| Something in the triumphant ring OF
4 her voice, in the very strength OF nef
passion itself, for the moment mace
her noble Beside her felt mysetl
small mean and wretched.
1t seemed to me was in night.
mare and never should awake.
pulled the necklaces, the bracelets, the
Erings, off me, struggling with the
tangled chains and stubborn clasps. !
shook my hand free of the last Jewel
and then snatching up my turban'
pinned it on with trembling fingers
4 and. all the while she stood looking 81
! lently at me. But when, at last, ! mad
taken I'D the little ball OF my gloves
and stood before her, she spoke IN a
4 very soft voice:
Pardon me, have lost my wits. But
lyou are made of a MATERIAL do not
know it-but it is not flesh and blood
!! Nevertheless we must not part bad
/ friends"
She turned to the table and, pushing
aside the Jewels as If they had been
!.colored glass, pulled toward her tray
! and took up glass decanter. she
! poured two glasses Of wine, and tax
i ing one, gracefully held it out to me
Twill you not drink to his acquittal?
she; asked.
"Forgive me-" said III do not
drink to it. will wish for it with all
\ mi. !, No