The Douglas independent. [volume] (Roseburg, Or.) 187?-1885, 1883-11-03
CARDONNE'S COURTSHIP.

Northbrook came under the auction
eer's hammer by foreclosure of mortgage.
It was q valuable country seat, and did
not bring half what it was worth,
The purchaser was Gale Cardonne. an
intelligent, wealthy. self-opinionated
man. sometimes called by his friends
'sThe German Baron;" not because he
was of German descent, but probably
because of his ruddy face, fine physique
and brusque, positive manners, the latter
verging upon rudeness when his passion
was aroused.
The neighbors speculated considerably
about his advent at Northbrook, and
prophecies were made which were not
particularly complimentary. He would
Introduce .new-fangled notions; he
would engage in foolish experiments; he
would be an easy victim to the fallacies
of theoretic farming, and the like.
Well, he came and settled among them
and nothing of the kind occurred. He
left farming operations to an experienced
hand, devoted his leisure moments to
books, enjoyed the fresh country air and
attended so much to his own business
and not to that of other people that he
was voted too exclusive.
There was railway station at North
brook, and one day he ran hastily up the
steps to send messenge by telegraph.
He leaped from the train without think
ing of the valise which he had placed on
the seat beside him. It's contents were
valuable, and he was anxious to receive
it by the returning train.
The operator was quiet, demure-
looking girl, very compact and plainly
clad and her face creamy white, neither
approaching to pallor nor indicating i'll.
health.
dispatch to Croyland before the train got
there2
''Oh. yes" was the reply. "How can
you identify the valise?"
Her voice sounded as clear as a bell, !,
and her white, shapely hand was toying
with the button of the telegraph instru-
ment.
''My name is on it" he said.
"And your name-is?"
"Cale Cardonne."
She had heard Of him, but never had
met him. She surveyed him in a specu-
1ative way, yet with 10 suggestion of
boldness. Her eyes were soft grey eyes,
with fabulous depth and just then
hinged with wistful interest.
A few ticking sounds followed and
then she announced that the message had
been sent and acknowledged. He flung
down q coin in compensation and then
picked npa book which she evidently
had been reading.
''Sartor Resartus, by Thomas Car
lyle, he exclaimed, reading the title, an
intonation of surprise in his voice.
"You are-are-ploding through this?''
he asked, stammering in his choice OF
words.
''Yes," she answered.
"And-enjoy it?" was his next ques-
tion, little grimly put.
A faint pink flush came into her
cheeks.
SAT least, do not consider the read
ing of it an inf1iction," she reioined, q
scarcely perceptible smile about her
lips.
Her reply pleased him. He was stand.
ing almost directly over her, for she was
seated. He noticed the finely poised
head, the compact brow, the delicate
ears, the chestnut colored hair, with
lurking shadows of bronze on it, and mol
strand out of place.
Her figure was 1.-the and graceful, and
her air modest and self.composed. His
proximity did not disturb her; the con-
seriousness OF his worth did not cause
her to depreciate herself.
She opened small drawer, threw into
it the coin which he had placed on the
table and handed him the proper
change.
Keep it," he said, with toss of his
head.
''T cannot" she replied. ST am not
entitled to it"
II am at liberty to give it to you."
"But am not at liberty to receive it,
she answered, "or rather I do not wish
to-"
He picked up the change with a
frown.
"You know my name" he said; "if
knew yours We might consider ourselves
acquainted"
My name is Janet Thorne, she re-
Joined in her quiet way.
He bowed, then descended the wind
ing stairway.
''Janetl he repeated to himself. ssA
staid name, and it suits her. Somehow
/ feel strangely interested in the little
thrush"