Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1911-02-18

Just to keep it in daily use. But
guess it suits me. hate feminine
names. You're not q Westmoreland
Leslie, Of course?"
The sharp eyes were focused on
the girls face. Leslie felt her heart
in her throat. But she was spared
the necessity Of replying by the en-
trance OF the man who had opened
the gate for her.
Hugh Wentworth" said madame
presenting him, "the grandson OF my
dearest friend. I've asked him here
for two weeks that l may make up
my mind whether he is to be my
heir or not, Miss Leslie, Hugh"
There was look OF genuine adj
miration in the young mans eyes as
he acknowledged the Introduction.
'I've got money enough of my own
I don't covet madame's thousands,
he declared with a boyish laugh
They must go to those of her own
blood"
mot q dollar to the daughter OF
a play acting woman, If that is what
you mean" snapped madame.
Leslie bit her lip. She let the
slur pass, this once. But never again
should her grandmother disparage
her beautiful mother unrebuked!
For q few days all went well. Leslie
wrote madame's letters, read to her,
performed the duties Of ladys maid.
She would have welcomed any task
that gave her the Joy OF living IN that
charming house. And then she began
dimly to realize what q vivid part OF
the beautiful life for which she sighed
Hugh Wentworth had already become
She fairly haunted the dear old
garden. She knew just where her
father had loved to play when boy
where he had walked and dreamed as
a man. The sweet tangle with It's hal.
lowed associations had charm OF
which she never tired.
One late twilight she wandered un'
der the trees until the gold was quite
gone from the sky. She had hung
about her a wrap of oriental silk, lone
and voluminous. It had been her
mothers She still had, 1t on when
she entered the quaint old library
where her grandmother and Hugh sat
in the lamplight.
One look, and the old lady started
violently to her feet. "That cloak!
How did you come by it?' she almost
shrieked.
Without waiting for a reply she
crossed to her desk, fumbled IN q
secret drawer with trembling hands
and held card photograph up to the
light. Leslie gasped with dismay
Her mothers picture taken in this
selfsame wrap. Madame glanced q
f. then at the girl, white as the lace
at her throat.
Nov, know why you look ike an
actress! That dancing puppet OF tne
footlights was your mother!"
Leslie drew herself up. Yes, ano
l am proud of the fact she SAID
"Who would not be proud OF such 9
mother-the best woman In the "orio
and the most beautiful?'
Madame sat down heavily, pound
ing the arm of, her chair with her INST
"You dare say that-to me?' she
cried. her voice rising louder anc
sharper with each word. Leave my
house-this Instant"
Leslie turned, with wonderful ges
ture that was legacy from the stage
On the threshold she paused an IN
slant.
grandmother" she said, II want
you to forgive me for coming mere
like this. My poor father had tolo
me so much about Overlook and the
happy days Of his boyhood wanted
to know more of the dear old place
And he always spoke tenderly, for
Hvingly of you. He loved you IN
spite OF your harshness; or he never
would have named me Leslie, after
you."
Madame said nothing; she turned
away her face. Hugh came close ur
to the half sobbing girl and took hel
hands in his.
II am your friend" he WHISPERED
"Now-and always. Don't forget that.
JJnspeakable things were In his eyes.
A new, sweet Joy thrilled Lesl1e's
heart as she climbed to her room
Nevertheless few scalding drops TEL
among the belongings she gathered
hurriedly4 together. Still enveloped II
that picturesque old wrap she de
scended the stairs. Hugh Wentworth
was waiting in the lower hall With
out a word he led her back to the
carved mahogany chair, where sa'
Madame Graham like a queen upor
her throne. go,
Slowly the old woman lifted mel
bowed head There was wonderlu
new softness in her wrinkled face
"Nobody-ever called me-grand
oh hrNkanIV