Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-01-14
CHAPTER XII.
The visit.

CHAPTER XII.
The visit.
do not wish the reader to form
hasty opinion OF me. I do not wish
to appear more impressive than am.
l do not pretend to pass for strong
character. have shown some meri-
torious courage In the ordeals that
Fate pressed on me since the sad
death Of my poor wife Gabrielle. owe
it solely to an excess of feeling, al
though that may sound somewhat con-
Trajectory.
Not one hour OF the day passed but
what l thought Of the tragic death OF
my poor wife, Of my unfortunate son
and of what had become of him. AS
time went on and the chances of dis
covering him seemed more remote, I
realized more and more that my plan
for saving him had been reasonable
and human. recognized now the pro-
found wisdom Of that silent command
which I had read on the sealed lips
of the victim, in the close fold of her
enigmatical mouth, and was pleased
that had obeyed 1t by instinct more
than by reasoning. That shows me
once more that our instinct is superior
to our intelligence. have always
thought that our manhood's pride
comes from our instinct and our
snobbish vanity from our intelligence.
I felt dazed at meeting my daughter
Evelyne again.
In the long folds OF her black dress
her erect carriage had an air Of noble
ness and pride that had not seen be-
fore. Draped in a long veil of black
Grape, her fair face seemed trans
formed with a new dignity, which
changed her from q girl to woman.
I saw at a glance how much grief had
ripened her young soul. A brusque
metamorphosis had taken place-her
childish mischievousness, her girlish
charm, and even her little languid
ways had gone But in the way she
looked at the doctor as she held out
| her small gloved hand to him knew
that grief was not the only power that
had changed her soul. Love and sor-
row combined had brought about this
new womanly charm.
She spoke few gracious words to
me, then turned her head away quickly
to hide her horror for my repulsive
face, which was enough to inspire any
one with repugnance.
Marcadian came to me quickly,
holding out both hands, and said,
warmly:
forward. My daughter looked at me
with pity, but with less horror.
| l spoke few words in English with
the doctor, which brought forth a re
mark from Marcadian.
"You speak English with the same
accent as my unfortunate brother-in.
law, Mr.. Dougless, although think
that your diction is much purer than
his
Eyes," said Evelyne, sadly. "Mr
Douglass voice strangely recalls my
fathers. All! monsieur" she said
turning to me, your voice goes
straight to my heart. Speak again,
beg of you; it Is my fathers voice"
| The doctor seemed annoyed at the
turn the conversation had taken. and
called his fiancee away to the other
end Of the room on some pretext. They
sat down on the sofa side by side, and
he tried to get her interested in some
stereoscopical views. Foolish youth!
AS though he could, with his pictures
from different parts of the world, dis
tract her from the interior world thai
was in her mind!
Marcadian had placed his tea cup on
the mantelpiece and now drew near
me.
"You told me that you had your own
opinion?" he said, curiously.
THAT resulted, perhaps" / explain
ed, "by the similarity between my POSI-
ton of twenty years ago, when | had
my accident at Niagara Falls and the
"Ah! my dear Mr.. Douglass. how are
you now? Better and happier hope
The doctor has taken me into his con
fidence and told me all! beg that YOU
will let me devote myself to your IN
terests-let me be real friend. Life
| deals out her SORROWS to all; existence
! is but succession Of griefs!'
"You say that, maitre? Look ovel
there, then" said, smiling. as my
eye followed William and Evelyne
who were sitting in the bay window
whispering lovers little nothings.'
The doctor had taken Evelyne's two
| hands in his and was talking to hel
in low voice.
THAT is true" said Marcadian, fol
lowing my gaze, land that is m.
work. I brought that about"
ri congratulate you
"Tenez," he said, there are time'
when believe that trouble is sent TO