Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-05

Watching the motionless line OF her
profile with furtive eyes. He pulled
out his watch and studied it's face In
tently for a second. AS the girl said
nothing, he rose and began to draw
on his gloves. Suddenly ne forced
the appeal of his eyes upon her as she
glanced up vacantly.
Betty! Surely you are not going
to let me 90 this way? You don't
mean that everything is at an end?
That all the dear, past days count for
nothing in the face Of this wretched
accident over which l have no con-
troll? Believe me, dear, trust ms
and come with me as my wife,"
Betty got up. pale and tremulous,
and held out her hand. In 1t was the
engagement ring she had slipped
from her finger. Preston accepted 1t
without word and turned away.
When the door had closed upon
him she sank into chair and buried
her face in her hands. The world
swan about her in great circles. This
was the very end. Now for the frst
time the full significance OF her act
came upon her with overwhelming
force. What If he were innocent !!
She tried to tell herself that she had
been lucky to learn the truth before
1t was too late. She tried to make
herself believe that her love was
dead, killed by his ruthless betrayal
of her most sacred trust. But the
deep-rooted feelings OF years could
not so easily be torn up and flung
aside.
In the midst of her despair there
came permptory ring at the front
door. Tom! Her pulses bounded.
He had come back to her to tell her
that he had found the owner of the
glove and the reason for It's being in
his pocket! The solution flashed
LUMINOSITY across her brain She
rose, steadying herself by an effort,
and hurried to the door, But the man
standing there was q stranger.
81 beg your pardon he COM
menced, ''but was told I might find
Mr.. Preston here?"
"He left about a half hour ago."
said Betty jerkily. Il thinl. perhaps
you could reach him at his office.
Thank you very much, but I'm
afraid shari't have time to get by
there. I'm trying to catch that $3.50
train South. l very carelessly walked
OF with his topcoat last night. We
were at the club together. and left
first, taking his coat, which Is the
counterpart OF mine, with me. II you
would be good enough to let him
know that l have left his at the club
and ask him to forward mine to At
lanta should be grately obliged"
Betty kept down her exhilaration
long enough to assure him that she
would be delighted" then turned
and re-entered the room In tumult
of emotions. The first thing she did
was to ring up Preston's office He
was not there. He was not at home,
either, and as time passed and there
came no answering call, she went
YEARLY to bed and spent dazed
night.
The following morning she read In
the paper that the Third Regiment
would leave Immediately for the Phil
ippines instead OF two weeks hence,
as originally ordered. She quilted
the breakfast table, leaving her food
untasted. What II he had already
gone and she would never see him
again? A little sob rose in her throat
and choked her. All at once the
possibility became a reality, and she
began to wiring her hands. She had
sent him to his death-broken her
own heart and his acted the part Of
a despicable wretch.
She went into the morning room
and began to straighten the books
d fvtna fpaaownone c,,TB ia o c.
and papers. But the atmosphere suf-
located her and she hurried out to the
garden to cut fresh roses for the
vases. The tears were falling fast as
she bent to snip the flaming jacque-
minots from the bush, when suddenly
she felt the pressure OF warm palms
over her bullying eyes. Startled, she
turned and Preston caught her In his
arms.
We're sailing at three" he said,
"and I couldn't endure the thought OF
going so far without making one more
attempt. You-you'll not refuse to
tell me good-by, Betty It. 1t may
be the last time we'll ever meet"
Betty's roses dropped in a crimson
shower to the ground. When she
could find her voice, she said tremu-
lously: "No, shall not ter You
good-by, Tom, IL can't"
Preston's arms fell limp at his
sides. The light died out Of his face.
He looked down after moment and
drew her glance to his. Their eyes
merged; hers, tentative, radient; his,
puzzled, deepening with shadows.
Betty's brave glance fickered beneath
the pleading tenderness OF his. Pres
tons question hung mute upon his
lips.
IT have other plans" she whis-
pered with her cheek against his
sleeve. II mean to be revenged. Con-
sequently, shall go with YOU"
Regardless Of possible passer-by
Preston drew her to his arms.
Afterward, she told him about the
coats.
4 >-<>-><-<->>>><<>-> =
- PENNINGTON =