Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-07-14

reading that foolish class Of fiction.
Put it away and get something that
will stimulate your brain rather
than soften it,
Honora held herself still by a
strong effort
Mr.. Grantley rose and went over to
her.
"Give me the book, Honora, and then
go upstairs. don't understand you
tonight"
Honora's heart beat painfully but
her voice was serene.
"I want to read this book, Edward;
1t is being so much talked about.
And I don't care to read upstairs
the room is chilly. l prefer to stay
here"
Mr.. Grantley looked at her uncer-
tainly, then took several restless
PAGES about. the room.
"You can't be we'll tonight Ho-
nora" he commented finally. "To-
morrow I'll have DR.. Samson run, in
and look at you. You are not your
self at ALL" He settled back to his
work, interrupting it, however, with
at the fair profile of his wife.
Nothing more was said that night,
nor the next morning, when he was
unusually grave and unresponsive
and neglected to kiss her when he
left for the office. Honora shed a
few bitter tears, then grasped her
resolution anew She would go to
Marian's for dinner that night. She
must do something definite and de-
cided, something that would bring the
matter to an issue.
She dressed early, left note for
her husband telling him she had de-
cjded to keep her engagement with
Marian, and set out. Arrived at her
sisters she said nothing about the
matter. She talked gayly about the
coming theatricals in which they
were both to take part, though as the
evening drew on she found it hard to
control her nervousness and appre-
hension. When 10 O'Clock struck she
remarked quitely:
Edward has to go !: tonight and
may not be able to come for me. In
that case I'm going to stay all night
with YOU"
you're dear!'' Exclaimed Marian
warmly. 81 don't believe he'll come
now-he's never later than TO- Let's
go to bed"
All night Honora tossed on her pill
J,w, thinking. grieving. wondering
ut he would do when she returned.
H -''as angry, she knew, or he would
have come for her. Perhaps he would
leave her. perhaps when she reached
there in the morning he would be
gone-never to come back to her.
And how she loved him, in spite of
everything! He was so big, so
strong, so magnetic, everybody loved
him.
Toward morning. she fell into a
troubled sleep. arose at s unrefreshed,
and after breakfast started for home.
The walk through the brisk morning
aid did much to restore her poise and
confidence When she reached the
house she was almost herself again.
To her surprise, her husband. met
her at the door. His face was pale
and haggard.
Come into the library, Honora,"
he said. 81 have something to say
to you"
She went in obediently and sat
down in a big chair by the window.
The relief Of finding him still at
home had lightened her heart.
He closed the door and faced her.
"Honora" he said, II don't know
how to tell you, how to explain to
you just what this night has been to
me. At first was angry. had
a foolish desire to punish you. Then
as the evening passed and you did not
come l grew anxious. I had thought
of course you would let Marian send
you in the carriage. I began to ask
myself what it all meant, what reason
you had for acting as you aid. Then
I thought over our disagreement Of
last night and light began slowly to
dawn on me. AS paced up and
down, thinking, worrying, longing for
you, the whole revelation of my
stupid conduct toward you since our
marriage gradually came to me. II
saw my foolish attitude, your rebel
lion and my insistence In their true
light I seemed to behold you sud-
denly in new aspect, not as child
to be schooled and trained and die
tated to, but as woman-a beautiful
woman-my wife. And then, dear,
came gripping my heart the terrible
fear that had lost you. that in my
thoughtless folly had unwittingly
killed your love. Honora-"
There was swift little rush and
two strong arms were round his neck
and wet cheek pressed to his.
"Oh, dearest" she protested, half
sobbing. half laughing, Il loved you