Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1914-01-01

pcu uOWu W Tile grass aiiu sAoh6 SAo
winding path to bench at some dis
lance in the shrubbery. Here the
smiling mask slipped from her face
with a shiver she dropped her hot face
In her hands.
There we're no tears. The wave that
was yelling over her was one of bitter
humiliation. She had shot her bolt
and missed--she. Katharine Fargo!
For three years she had held John
Valiant, Economically speaking. in the
hollow Of her shapely hand. Now she
had all but thrown herself at his feet
and he had turned away to this flame
haired. vivid girl whom he had not
known as many months. The rank
ling barb was dipped In no poison OF un.
requited love. Hers was the anger OF
the selfwilled and intensely proud
woman denied her dearest wish, and
crossed and flouted for the first time
in her pampered exquisite life.
Heavy footballs all at once approach
ed her-two men were coming from
the house. There was the splitting
crackle of a match. and as she peered
out, it's red flare lighted the massive
face and floating hair Of Major Bris.
tow. His companions face was in the
shadow. She waited, thinking they
would pass: but to her annoyance,
when she looked again. they had seated
themselves on bench a few PAGES
away.
To be found incoming in the shrub
berry like a schoolgirl did not please
her but it seemed there was no re-
course and she had half arisen, when
the majors gruff-voiced companion
spoke a name that caused her to sit
down abruptly. To do Katharine
Justice. it did not occur to her at the
moment that she was eavesdropping.
And such was the significance of the
sentences she heard, and such their
bearing on the turmoil of her mind,
that a woman of more sensitive fiber
might have fingered.
"Bristow, Shirley's magnificent
girl" ....
"Finest in seven countless" agreed
the majors bass.
"Whom do you reckon she'll choose
to marry?" .....
"Chilly Lusk. Of course. The boys
been in love with her since they were
in bibs. And he comes as near being
fit for her as anybody"
"Humph!" said the other sardonic-
ally. "No man I ever saw was half
good enough for a good woman. But
good women marry just the same. II
isn't Lusk. I used to think 1t would
be, but I've got pair of eyes in my
head, if you haven't It's young
Valiant"
The pearl fan twisted in Kathar-
ines fingers. What she had guessed
was an open secret, then!
The major made an exclamation that
had the effect Of coming after a jaw
dropped silence. "I-1 never thought
of that"
The other resumed slowly, some
what bitterly, 1t seemed to the girl
listening. eff her mother was in love
with Sassoon-" ~
Katharine's heart beat fast and then
shtood still. Sassoon! That was the
name of the man Valiant's father had
killed in that old duel of which Judge
Chalmers had told! "If her mother"
Shirley Dandridge's mother" was
in love with Sassoon!" Why
"Was she?' ..F
The majors query held sharpness
that seemed almost appeal. She was
conscious that the other had faced
about abruptly.
give always believed so. certainly.
If she had loved Valiant, would she
have thrown him over merely because
he broke his promise not to be party
lot quarrel?" -.
,"You think mott" said the major
huskily. 49,.
mot under the circumstances. Vail
ant was forced into It, No gentleman,
at that day. could have declined the
meeting. He could have explained 1t
to Judith's satisfaction-a woman
doesn't need much evidence to justify
the man she's in love with. He must
have written her-he couldn't have
gone away without that--and If she
had loved him, she would have called
him back"
The major made no answer. Kathar-
inc saw cigar fall UNDECIDED upon the
grass, where it lay glowing like a
panther's eye.
The other had risen now his stopped
figure bulking in the moonlight. His
voice sounded harsh and strained: 81
loved Beauty Valiant he said. "and
his son is his son to me-but have
to think Of Judith, too She tainted,
Bristow, when she saw him-Shirley
told me about It, Her mother has
made her think it was the scent Of the
roses! He's his fathers living image,
and he's brought the past back with
him. Every sound Of his voice, every
sight of his face, will be separate
stab! Oh, his mere presence will be
enough for Judith to bear But with
her heart in the grave with Sassoon,
what would love between Shirley and
young Valiant mean to her? Think
of it!'
He. broke off, and there was a blank
Of silence, in which he turned with al
most sigh Then Katharine saw him
reach the bench with single stride
and drop his hand on the bowed
shoulder. .
"Bristow!" he said bruskly. you're
ILL! This COMPOUNDED philandering at
your time of life"
The majors face looked ashy pale.
but he got up with a sigh. mot IT,
he said; Il was never better in my
life! We've had our mouthful IF air.
Come on hack to the house"