Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-10-25
Evening Story.
FOR BUSINESS REASONS.
BY N. Observation-Disclosures.

FOR BUSINESS REASONS.
BY NJ. kecuiioch-NAfiiila
Copyright, 1919. by the Associated
Literary Press.)
III you really cared about me-"
Elinor began, breaking on there in .
choking sob.
william. her husband. frowned
heavily, and said scientifically. "Of
course I don't care-you arc only my
w1fe-for whom spend my days
toiling and grubbing--and from
whom get In return wu
II try! You know try-ever 20
hard" Elinor flashed out. But your
your Understandable me- have
q minutes peace"
''Won't-er? I really hadn't no.
uced IT," William. retorted. still sar.
casAic. II suppose the real root Of
the matter is-you want me to leave
her. Understand-I shall not do It!
That's nat You married me with
your, eyes open-knowing all she had
done for me that I was her only
child besides. / told you outright
would never leave her lonely. You
agreed anything to get mo. Now
you want to get away from your bar.
gain" @ .
"Do you want to ct away from
your bargatn1'' Elinor asked sudden
ly calm, sparks at the bottom Of her
eyes drying them magically.
William did not angwer-onfy
smiled pruvokingly. After . little
she went on. still clearly. IT you do
II will take myself awsy--as soon
az we have gone over the accounts.
I want to leave things straight."
Really. Minor- this IL too rfdicu-
lous. With the Travers expecting US
to dinnsr--an the thsater after.
ward" William bsgan--he was not
smiling any more, but stfll his voice
was hard.
Elinors bead went up. "Yous do
not answer" she said. II taks sil-
ence for consent. Al TO the Travers,
you can make my excusee-say you
came to tell them was-indisposed."
The door opened without any pre-
liminary knocking. Mira Alsop, the
elder, came through It ssying with
4 frown, William you should be
resting YOU can have fifteen min
utes before II 10 time to dress. minor
never thinks Of such things-but II
you are to 20 on doing yourself jus
tice you must take care Of yourself.
And tonight I want you to be your
best self. The chief Justice. who is
to be at the Travers is an old beau
of mine"
"suppose you 90 In my place.
am staying at home. And can help
you Dress" Elinor said, her voice.
studiously commonplace.
Her mother-in-law stared at her.
mot going!" she echoed. II take
your place! I.knew you were poorly
Lred, but must say never dreamed
think OF such IA thing"
Say Kindness for ignorance.
mother" williams interposed. "Elinor
is impulsive-and very generous. On
course. her suggestion n impossible.
But know she thought only Of giving
you pleasure the pleasure Of meeting
en- old friend
r.It will be much greater pleasure
to have him SEQ my son and his wife
al their best, among the best people"
Mrs. Aslop said produly. "As for
James Dwight, I don't care pin
except to have him see made no
mistake In refusing him. He will bo
bound to see it-you sare SO much
The clock striking the half hour.
made her hurry OF with a vexed ex-
ciamation.
Az the door shut behind her VIII
liam went up to his wife. laid q hand
upon her arm and said. not very
easily: You are very angry, Elinor
that I know And It 10 In your
power to take deep revenge. I'm
less you go tonight, I cannot. That
will mean the loss Of Traver's good
viii and good word, which just now
are vitality important to me. He and.
his wife count on sus to liven their
party. The others are rich, but
heavy-and wild to be amused.
1--WE are not psupers-thanks to
my mother. She saved my fathers
estate, you know. But one can't
stand still--you know that without
telling have invested more than !
ought to have risked In deal that
Traver can make successful. Know
ing that-you must decide. throw
myself on your mercy"
"On my justice, you mean" Elinor
said lifelessly. Therefore, will go.
II shall never be true that added
to the harm did you in marrying
you the wreck of your fortune"
Come, now, let's kiss and be
friends.'' Aslop said, trying to take
her in his arms.
!, She eluded I him, turned to her
toilet table. and began pulling the
pins from her hair, saying over her
shoulder: las am staying only for
business reasons. and so long as they
are important. there seems to he no
occasion for us ever to quarrel again :"
Il She was the life Of the party that
night, so blithely brilliant, SO elfnly
fascinating, Alsop was amazed.
4: He knew she could be so, but here