Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1915-08-10

II do" he answered miserably
Cynthia Meyrick laughed, harshly,
mirthlessly.
Because that's your business-your
mean little business" she said scorn-
fully. Il know at last why you came
to San Marco. I understand every
thing. You had gambled with Lord
narrowly and you came here to see
that you did not lose your money.
Well, you've lost! Garry that news
back to the concern you work for! In
spite of your heroic efforts, you've
lost! At the last moment Cynthia
Meyrick changed her mind"
Lost! The word cut Minot to the
quick. Lost, indeed Lost Jephson's
stake-lost the girl he loved! He had
failed Jephson-failed himself! AZ
ter all he had done-all he had sacri-
feed. A double defeat and therefore
doubly bitter.
"Cynthia-surely you don't mean"
Lord Harrowby was pleading.
II do, Allan said the. girl more
gently. "It was true-what I told
you-there by the window. 1t is bet
ter-father! Will you go down and
-say-I'm not to be married, after
all?"
Spencer Meyrick and turned toward
the door.
Cynthia" cried Harrowby broken
ly. There was no reply. Old Mey-
rick went out.
I'm sorry" his lordship said. "sor-
ryt made such a mess OF 1.-THE more
SO because I love you. Cynthia-and
always shall. Good-by."
Flo held out his hand. She put hers
in it.
tits too bad, Allan she said. But
it wasn't to be. And, even now, you
have one consolation-the money that
Llovds must pay YOU"
"The money means nothing, Gym
thia--"
Miss Meyrick is mistaken" Minot
Lord narrowly has not
even that consolation. Lloyds owes
him nothing"
why not?" asked the girl def1antly.
"Up to an hour ago." said Minot,
"you were determined to marry his
lordship?"
81 should hardly put it that way.
Butt intended to-"
Eyes. Then you changed your
mind. Why?"
~ changed 1t because l found out
about this ridiculous, this insulting
policy"
"Then his lordship's taking out OF
the policy caused the calling on OF the
wedding?"
Yves. Why"
at may interest you to know
and It may interest Lord narrowly
to recall-that FIVE minutes before he
took out this policy he signed an
agreement to do everything In his
power to bring about the wedding.
And he further promised that II the
wedding should be called on because
Of any subsequent act of his, he would
forfeit the premium"
.sBy CAD" said Lord Harrowby.
The taking out of the policy was
a subsequent act" continued Mlnot.
"The premium, l fancy, is forfeited
"He's got you. Allan said George
Harrowby, coming forward, land 1or
one can't say I'm sorry. You're golns
to tear up that policy now-and go 10
work for me-.
81 for one am sorry cried Miss
Mevrick. her eyes flashing in Minot
az wanted YOU to win, Allan. want
ed you to win
"Whv?' Minot asked innocently.
you ought to know" she answered
and turned away.
Lord narrowly moved toward the
door,
"We're not hard losers he said
hlanklv. "But-everything's gone
its a bit Of smashup. Good-by, Gym
thia."
"Good-by, Allan-and good luck"
"Thanks." And narrowly went out
with his brother.
Minot stood for time, not daring
IN move. Cynthia Meyrick was at the
window. her scornful back was not
encouraging. Finally she turned, saw
Minot and gave start OF SURPRISE.
"Oh-you're still here?'
Cynthia, now you understand, ne
said you know why l acted as
did You realize my position. was
in a horrible fix
She looked at him coldly.
eyes" she said, II do understand.
You were gambling on me. You came
down here to defend your employers
cash. Well. you have succeeded. Is
there anything more to be said?'
isn't there? On the ramparts OF
the old fort the other night"
"Please do not make yourself any
more ridiculous than Is necessary.
You have put your employers money
ahove nv hapnness. Always. Really,