Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-10
PETEY DINK
CHAPTER XXI.
Hlqh Words at Noon.

IN the Harrowby suite the holder
of the title a handsome and distin-
guished figure, adorned for his we'd
ding, walked nervously the rather
worn carpet. His brother, hastily
pressed into service as best man, sat
putting at cigar with a persistency
which indicated somewhat perturbed
state Of mind on his own part.
Brace up, Allen" he urged. It'll
be over before you realize it. Remer1-
Der my own wedding-gad, wasn't |
frightened? Always that way with
man--no sense to 1t, but he just
can't help it. Never forget that little
parlor. with the flower of Marion So
ciety all about, and me with my teeth
chattering and my knees knocking to-
gether."
1T is a bit of an ordeal" said Allen
weakly. "Chap feels sort of-gone-
inside"
The telephone, ringing sharply, in
terrupted George narrowly rose and
stepped to it.
ALLAN? You wish Allan? Very
we'll. I'll tell him. *
He turned away from the telephone
and faced his brother.
ct was old Meyrick, kid. Seemed
somewhat hot under the collar Wants
70 see you in their suite at cnce.''
.sWhat--what do you imagine he
wants?"
Going to make you present Of
Riverside Drive, | fancy. Go ahead,
soy. I'll wait for you here
Allan narrowly went out, along the
dusky corridor to the Meyrick door.
Not without misgivings. he knocked.
A voice doomed Gomez" He pushed
open the door.
He saw Spencer Meyrick sitting
purple at a table, and beside him Gym
thia Meyrick. in the lovliest gown OF
all the lovely gowns she had ever
worn. The beauty of the girl stag
gered narrowly bit: never demon
:tratiye. he had sudden feeling tina,
he should be at her feet.
"You-you sent for me?' he asked.
coming into the room. AS he moved
closer to the girl he was to marry he
saw that her face was whittier than
her gown and her brown eyes strained
and miserable.
1--WE did," said Meyrick, rising. He
held out paper. will you please
look at that"
His lordship took the sheet in I'M
steady hands. He glanced down.
Slowly the meaning of the story that
met his gaze filtered through his dazed
brain. MARTIN Wall did this he
thought to himself He tried to speak.
but could not Dumbly he stared at
Spencer Meyrick.
I'VE want no scene, Narrowly"
said the old man YEARLY. we mere
" want to know If there IS in exist
ence policy such as the one men
toned here?"
The paper slipped from his lord
ships lifeless hands. He turned mis-
erably away. Not daring to face
either father or daughter, he answer
ed very family:
There is"
Spencer Meyrick sighed.
"That's all we want to know. There
will he no wedding. Harrowby."
"Wha-what!" His lordship faced
about. "Why. sir-the guests must
be-down stairs"
"It is unfortunate But there will
be no wedding" The old man turned
TO his daughter Cynthia" he asked,
"have YOU nothing to say?'
"Yes." White. trembling, the girl
faced his lordship. at seems, Allan,
that you have regarded our marriage
as a business proposition You have
gambled on the stability of the mar
ket. Well, you win I have changed
nv mind. This Is final / shall not
change it again" -..,,.
"Cynthia.' And any one who had
considered Lord Harrowby unfeeling
must have been surprised at the an
ouich in his voice. 81 have loved you