Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-08-19

1t. It's a bit awkward; but we shan't
meet. She needn't know came here
at all. Harriet"
Il know you don't want to SEQ
her"
And she isn't pining for my 90.
ciety."
ooh. no: Minna's very bitter. She
won't even speak Of you; and once.
when your name was mentioned BY
chance. she positively frose. Cary.
believe she hates you'll! She's awfnlly
intense, you know"
II know" The young mans lips
twisted In SMILE slightly mocking.
The memory of that last interview
with Minna In rage was still fresh.
Intense seemed the proper word for
his former sweetheart's temperament.
Yet-in her softer moods-how lovely,
how alluring she could be!
Mrs. Pell, looking into her cousins
darkened face. gave . little sigh.
How these two young persons, once
such doting lovers, had grown int
fierce. chilling enmity!
Harriet! Harriet"
| A full. musical voice came from the
upper hall.
Goodness! She's coming down!
You cant 60 round the house now"
she whispered breathlessly. I'm here,
Cary. I'll coax her into the garden
and then"
She pushed her visitor into q shal-
low closet under the stairs and slipped
into tho living room. Through the
door, which refused to close, Cary
could see the white-gowned figure
that fluttered down the stairs and
/ a M kc11 m
trance Of the living room was In line
with his hiding place: and his eager
eyes followed every motion OF his one
time sweetheart
She carried something IN her hand.
and she went to the cabinet that stood
between the windows.
II want you to hear the new record
l brought with me-" abe said. 1T II
a great favorite Of mine.''
To conceal her nervous agitation,
Mrs. Pen was stepping around the
room rearranging bits Of bric-arbrao
and draperfes. Then she slipped into
the adjoining dining room.
"Iil give Dicky bird his morning
bath while you play for VI. Minna.
she said carelessly.
Minna slipped the new record into
i pAdC0p 1uu IAo u0AS lll0t6uJ Ito VOLT
sweet Photographic music stirred the
air. Behind the closet door there
was an uneasy movement AZ the
| opening bars Of StrelexkiB "Happy
Days" Minna's favortte1 why, thai
was his favorite! He had alway
asked her to sing It for him, and she
had always sung It with appealing
fervor.
Cary's heart leaped now 1t the Oh
familiar strains. Why had Minis
brought that record here? Why
should she even wish to hear the soma
again-the favorite song OF the man
she hated? Bewildered and racked
by conflicting emotions, he pressed
his face to the narrow opening and
peered out into the room opposite.
Nina was standing beside the
cabinet with droopinE shoulders 4nde
across her white drapertes and warm
looked sad: and, as Cary. watched.
them tragically together.
called Mrs. Pell. Tive heard Il be-
fore, but can't place 1t. Do you
. sing 1t, Minna?"
A moments silence, and the record
began a second round OF melody.
Happy Days. what q mockery.
thought Cary, more upset by the un.
expected entertainment than he would
have cared to admit Then, Minnas
rich voice softly took up the refrain
and blended with the soprano tones
that rose above the plaintive strains
OF the violin and the throbbing means
of the cello. She sang few bars,
and her voice broke suddenly.
Minna crying playing and singing
his favorite song and crying! It was
the most perplexing thing that had
ever happened to him. A sudden light
seemed to fill the stuffy, dark little
closet under the stairs. Then, Mrs.
Pell's voice broke the spell.
II want you to see my pansies
Minna. They're coming along splen
didly."
4 The two women passed out into the
little garden. Cary knew that he had
been given the signal for departure.
1 This was his chance to disappear.
/ The way was clear. He would have
Just time to catch his train. Tho
closet door swung open cautiously.
l In the garden Mrs. Pell was leading
her guest from the house. She looked
at Minna furtively. How very lovely
the girl was in that tender. reflective
mood, with her brilliant eyes softened
to velvety blue tints.
!! Suddenly the white-gowned figure
stood stiffly erect, with head up1ifted
and startled gaze. What's that?
4 MI ahornvv II
the opening strains Of the Strelezki
melody that trempled upon the air.
Some one is playing my record.
How strange"
Mrs.. Pell looked guilty. at tbs
windows; but she made no move to
accompany her guest to the house.
AS though hypnotized by the mystic
rious music. Minna passed along the
narrow path, up the porch steps, over
the threshold and out Of sight.
Cary looked UP az the girl entered