Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1912-01-30
derstand why anybody should desire


such an enormous mansion.
Very likely he means to announce
his engagement" observed Miss Day,
holding a sketch at arms length ana
inspecting 1T critically.
Jane gave an odd hysterical giggle
and jumped up quickly.
Good night. girls, I'm going to bed
But on the threshold she turned. us
there anything I can do for either OF
your" she asked.
"That was brutal Of you!" exclaimed
Miss Mason severely.
'It was rather raw to say that and
could bite out my tongue now"
answered Miss Day, regretfully. Its
like Jane too, to forgive a person
the second after nasty dig and offer
to do something for her. never
dreamed that she cared about him.
Looks as though she does"
Miss Mason nodded slowly. I'm that
case suppose it's better that the
house will be finished SO soon" she
said moodily.
The rapidly progressing work did
not inspire Jane with any great
amount of regret. Her pleasure IN 1t
was suddenly gone.
"Tll be happy when 1t is all over
and done with" she told the girls.
The last two weeks seemed to cause
her considerable restlessness.
"She has something on her mind as
sure as anything" observed Miss
Mason. eff this contract Is going to
make her unhappy, I, for one, am
sorry that she ever got It,"
| Here tool" replied Miss Day. "One
can easily see how she avoids dis
cussing the house or Mr.. Lord, and
that's not natural when task has
been well and speedily accom-
plished."
One evening Mr. Lord brought Jane
home in his motor, as the slush was
unspeakable. He stayed some little
time talking about his plans for the
future Jane was noticeably silent,
but it seemed an effort for her not to
enter into the conversation.
At last Mr.. Lord arose. "The day
Miss Carter says my house is finished,
you must all come out to celebration
dinner. Now don't forget. I'm keeping
big surprise for that event! Isn't
that So Miss Carter?" he asked, smil-
ing enigmatically.
| The second he was gone, Jane hur-
ried off to her room.
IT know what the surprise is an
nounced Miss Mason. He has fixed
up this house for his wife and per-
haps told Jane this evening coming
into town."
81 don't know what ever would
do if he were to announce 1t that
night" groaned Miss Day.
At last the house was completed.
Mr.. Lord called for the trio in his
motor, but scarcely a word was spoken
on the way out. The tour through
the fresh, beautiful rooms filled the
girls with sadness. Jane was un-
usually Quiet, and even the lavish
praise bestowed upon her failed to
lift the veil Of quiet which seemed
to envelop her. She presided at the
dinner table in an equally silent
mood.
| At last Mr.. Lord stood up, a glass OF
| light wine in his hand.
"Now for the surprise!" he cried
gayly. 1--WE must drink to the future
mistress of this house!"
/ Miss Mason and Miss Day choked
down a sip of the wine, and dared not
| look toward poor Jane. There was an
awkward pause.
won't you give me your good
wishes, girls?" asked Jane in wee,
small voice. "You don't know how
many times I have nearly let the cat
out of the bag these last few weeks
| The only safe course was not to talk
at all"
Then the astonished girls saw Mr.
Lord put his arm around James waist
ord drouy hov toyua rdc him
| "Ladies-now drink it this time
to the future mistress Of this housed
he exclaimed ioyfully