Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-13
sive to this appeal.

sive to this appeal.
II continue, then. We are making
Eenough to lay by something for our old
age And that's the only goal which
never loses its luster. But this affair!
/ Talk, talk" said Mrs. Chedsoye
impatiently.o IT, w.
my dear Kate, allow me to relieve
my mind" -a.....-
"You have done so till the topic is
threadbare. It is rather late IN the day
to go over the ground again. Time is
everything just now"
Admitted. But this affair, Kate, is
big; big with dangers. big with pit
fails: there Is a hidden menace in
every step OF 1t. Mayhap death; who
knows7 The older grow, the more /
cling to material comforts, to enter
prises of small dangers. However, as
you infer, there's no going back now"
mo" assented Ryanne, his mouth
hard; mot if have to proceed alone"
She smiled at him. "You talk OF
danger" speaking to the Major.
"What danger can there be-"
1.-The unforeseen danger, the danger
of which we know nothing, End there
fore are unable to prepare for 1t. You
do not see it, my dear, but 1t Is there,
nevertheless" @
Wallace nodded approvingly. Ryanne
shrugged.
Failure is practically impossible.
And I want excitement; crave 1t as
you men crave your tobacco.
"And there we are, Kate. 1t really
isn't the gold; it's the excitement OF
getting it and coming away unscathed.
II I could only get you to look at all
sides of the affair! It's the Rubicon."
Il accept it as such. I am tired or
petty things. I repeat, failure is not
possible. Have not thought 1t out, de-
tail by detail, mapped out each line,
anticipating dangers by eliminating
them?" g.. ..E %s.. Il =. Cd.
"All but that one danger of which
we know nothing. You're great
woman, Kate. You have, as you say,
made ninety-nine dangers out of a
hundred impossible. Let us keep an
eye out for that hundredth. Our photo
graphs have yet to grace the rogues'
gallery" #~-, .v.h. :+ 81 -
with one exception" Ryanne's
laughter was sardonic. 2 e "
"Whose?' shot the Major. @
! Mine. A round and youthful phiz,
silky young mustache. But rest easy;
there's no likeness between that and
the original one wear now" "
you never told us began
MRS. Chedsoye. FIR
"There was never any need till now.
Eight years ago. Certain powers that
be worked toward my escape. But /
was never to return. You will recollect
| that ! have always remained on this
side. Enough What I did does not
matter. will say this much: my crime
was In being found out. One venture
into New York and out to sea again;
they will not have a chance. l doubt
If any could recall the circumstances
Of my meteoric career. You will OBJ
serve that I am keyed for anything.
Let us get to work. It doesn't matter,
anyhow -t@
"You did not I" {" Mrs. Ched-
soye hesitated. '.D..t..
"Blood?" reading her thought. mo,
4 Gioconda; my hands are guiltless, at
least they were till this Bagdad affair;
and I am not sure there. was a
trusted clerk; I gamb1ed; ri took
! money that did not belong to me. And
here am, room number 20s."
ut doesn't matter Come, Kate,
don't stare at Hoddy as if he were a
new species The Major smoothed the
ends Of his mustache. "This confession
will be good for his SOUL ~ >. I'd
eyes, Gioconda: I feel easier now.
! I am heart and soul in this affair. l
need excitement. too. Lord. yes. When
I went to Bagdad, had no idea that
/ should ever lay eyes upon that rug.
But did And there's the emeralds,
too, Major ,E ,eh x
The Major rubbed his hands pleas
urably Eyes. yes; the emeralds; had
not forgotten them. One hundred
lovely green stones, worth not penny
under thirty thousand. A fine collec-
ton. But another idea has taken pos
session Of this teening brain of mine.
| Have You noticed how this fellow
Jones hovers about Fortune? He's
worth a. million, if he's worth cent.
I am sure, in pure gratitude, she
would see to it that her loved ones
were well taken care Of In their old
age" .a a-.-.
| "a am going to marry Fortune my
self" said Ryanne blandly.
Your The Major was nonplussed.
Wallace shuffled his feet uneasily.
This blond companion Of his was al
ways showing kinks In his nature,
kinks that rarely ever Strengthened
out" re- IT,.
Eyes. And why not? What is she to
either you or her mother? Nothing.
Affection you have never given her,
being unable. 1t surprises you; but,
nevertheless, l love her, and am 60
ing to marry her"
Really" said Mrs. Cheysoye.
Gwen so.'
"You are fool, Horace!" with ris-
! ing fury. So then, the child had not
jfbed her in a moment Of pique?
t men in love generally are fools. I've
never spoken before. because you
never absolutely needed me till now.
! There's my cards, pat
Mrs Chedsoye's fury deepened, but
not visably. "You are welcome to her,
| If cha will havo voy1 - .. IVA.