Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-03-12

I up. HIS glance Tell lHCo lHe Adil
where, coming almost shyly down the
winding stairway, a lovely amber
clad silhouette against the stained
glass windows, he saw Natalie Norris
with her violin. The young mans
steady blue eyes looked with sort
Of hunger at the girl. She was very
pale, and set little smile was all
| that lifted her face from look Of
tragedy.
She stopped to speak to Emile in
the doorway. Kirk gave movement,
but Townsend was on his feet, across
the room and beside the girl in an
instant, offering her his arm. No
greeting passed between them, but =
surprise marvelously like relief
lighted her face to glowing beauty for
an instant. He led her to a seat,
and would have gone back to his own
place, save that her glance babe, nay
begged, him to stay. He sat down by
her.
After this, 1t was the usual thing
soprano sang, mostly on the key; a
tenor sang. mostly of.
The best was for the last, evidently.
But presently, Emile, in a graceful
little speech, introduced the young
woman who had been a child in their
midst. The girl rose and bowed grave
ly, tuned her Instrument and tucked II
lovingly under her chin. Then the
tragedy left her face, and joy came
The audience caught it's breath at her
Playing. She bowed again and again,
and was encored till she would play
no more. but still stood bowling, with
on hand leaning on the little candle
stand against the window draperies
She went very white and was looking
at her mother, who appeared beside
Emile in the doorway, waiting, while
down stairs came Emilie's little girl
dressed as a fairy, carrying basket
of little cards which she was to dis
tribute among the guests.
AS the child reached the door Nata-
lie gave backward movement, almost
involuntarily, that overturned the can
dle-stand with crash. A woman
screamed, the flame licked at the
sheer curtain, up the window, and
there was confusion and rush. Nata-
lie, at the end of her strength, slipped
toward the floor in a dead faint, but
Townsend caught her in his arms and
bore her to the hall.
Smoke began to pour up the stair
way, and he never knew just how he
got to the dressing room, threw some
water in the girls face, threatened
and coaxed her into consciousness and
finally got her into some wraps.
Many women had left without their
wraps, and below he heard Emile
giving orders to servants. Natalies
mother was weeping and wringing
her hands and Kirk was trying to
take the girl from Townsend, who
simply showed him aside.
Tell Mrs Norris l shall take her
daughter out in my machine for a
drive in the air and then take her to
her hotel" he commanded. And.
though he wa loath to obey, there
was nothing else for Kirk to do
He took the girl down the back
stairs, through side door, and, with
her leaning on his arm, reached the
sidewalk just as the fire wagons
came changing up.
He helped the girl into the car,
took his seat beside her and was off
before they could be stopped or ques-
toned Natalie suddenly gave a fright
ened little gasp.
"See what l have done! Set Emilie's
house on fire-and spoiled things for
everybody. And poor mamma! Did
you know what little Rose Fenton had
in the basket, TOMB The sharp air
had brought the girl fully back to her.
self. She spoke to Townsend as If she
had seen him but yesterday, when, in
fact, it had been three years since
they parted-with a kiss, given and
taken in a quaint German garden.
"Those cards-announced my en-
gagement," she said 81 must have
been crazy to give in. don't see how
l ever-oh, wish were dead!" Town
send interrupted cheerfully.
Because of Kirk? I'll kill him for
you whenever you say-if you think
he's worth killing. Natalie, why didn't
you answer my letters after left you
in Germany" She stared at him in
surprise.
81 never--had letter from you!
So you wrote?'
"A few dozen times-until the last
ones were directed back to me in
your mothers hand-and-"
Mother would-do that?" the girl
gasped The man spoke.
Natalie, when could you marry
me?" Her eyes danced, then wa.
vered.
"Nobody'll ever-consent-it will
make trouble. and I've been worn to
a shadow-till I've nc more resisting
power left, Tom"
well, we'll use my resisting power
I've large supply Listen If we GO
east. we'll get to your hotel In five
minutes If we go west, We'll reach the
court house and license in four min
utes We can find a preacher in seven
minutes, be married in about six and
go back and take the trouble together
little while, and be happy for life
Or, rather, I'll shoulder the response
bility. OF course it will not have beer
Z announced but-shall l turn east?'
He turned to look at the girl. She
shook her head.
West, west DEAR" and she laid
her hand over to touch his as i,
steered. She wanted to help hin
turn west.
The house didn't burn down, and
Mrs. Norris took the marriage fairly