Weston weekly leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 1878-189?, 1885-03-06
MY OWN STORY.

sOAV 70 q ONs chhSAh&hy
man, leaning against the window.
"Colne in, Clare" Miss Emerson said;
catching sight of me as l tried to with
draw unseen. As went forward into |
the sunlight. / saw the strangers face
grow pale, aud lock of pain come into
his grave, dark eyes. 'You-you see
the likeness, Royal:''
The pain in his eyes deepened, his
proud face grew graver.
"But have not introduced you"
she said, ''excuse me. Miss Ashton
Mr.. Gray;" and then he bent his stately
head, while l likened him to my IA
vorite, ideal hero.
"Miss Emerson" I said, vixen we
were alone, Twill you tell me whom l
so much resemble" ''You resemble
this, Glare, she said, taking tiny min.
iature from her desk and handing it to
nae.
81 resemble that?" 1 cried, almost
doubling my senses, for the face that
smiled up at me was lovely beyond des-
cription.
eyes," she said, ''you have the same
dark eyes, with the amber light in their
depths, the same wavy crown of pale
golden hair, the same tender, child like
| smile"
When l had known Royal three
months-three short, dreamy months
awoke to the knowledge that had
come to woman's heritage. loved
Royal Gray; and then began to avoid
him, lest his grave, proud eyes should
read my secret.
"Clare, darling, what is the matter:'
Miss Emerson asked one day, when she
was again looking at the picture 1 had
seen once before.
81 ami am going away" l sobbed;
then forgetting myself entirely in my
pain, l said, ''Oh, Miss Emerson, will
you tell me the story of that picture
and-Royal Gray?"
eyes, Glare" she said. 81 was about
to tell it to yen to-day. Many years
ago, Royal Gray loved the original OF
) that miniature above all on earth.' A
low cry escaped my lips, and then she
continued:
when I was sixteen years old
, Glare, went to live with distant re
lstion Of my mother. His name wa,
Carol Gray.
"Royal Gray had been brought up a
: heir to all the broad lands of which
e his uncle was master, for Carol Ora,
hsd reached fifty before he met Lind;
y Dayton, who became his wife six month
;, later; but when little Linda was born
i Royal knew he was no longer heir
Next to Lcnore, Royal loved his prett,
baby cousin best on earth.
y But, if Royal loved Linda. DO NO
'' know what name to give the wsrshi
10 her mother lavished on Eer. 1t VIA
l. IMPLY alteration.
" One evening Mrs. Gray came in wher
st Lenore and little Linda were sittin
ID dressed for dinner party, to which sh
ID and MIR. Gray were going. After Mr.
Gray was gone, Lenore took book an
, said she was going up to the west ba
|, cony to read. "hIe 60, too," said Lind
NJ jumping up. "Take care, Lenore,"
= said, ''that Linda does not fall dow
the steps" 80, nonsense!" Leno
answered, carelessly, aud smiling h
at own peculiar, gentle smile, at my ne
tn vousness; aud, Glare, that was the la
ch time ever saw smile on her bcaui
is full face.
p- A few minutes later Royal came
oy and threw himself on a lounge besi,
gi- me. 'Where is Lenors?' he asked b
he fore long.
". At that instant wild shrek RAJ
ito out on the calm summer air.
lo- ''It is Lenore!" he cried, his face
!. paliid as death.
\, ''The---the west balcony" gaspe
N Oh, God! tile sight that met cur ey
i.+ when we reached it. On the greu
.s lay the PROSTATE forms of Linda a
- Lenere One glance told me that t
J.. child had fallen down the steps, anotl
that SIZE was dead-but Lenore b
IL, tainted. Will lover forget the telli
-. OF the story to the parents? Can Ie'
-. forget the look of the mother, as S
&c bent over her dead child!
Lenere knelt in the far end of
- room, Mr.. Gray and Royal stood a
- tie distance from her, and Mrs. Gl
bent over the tiny, cold form Of
darling.
oel Suddenly she crossed the room /;
di- stood over L-nore.
was s.Murderess." she missed, 'think ,
lin that Royal Gray will marry you nj
and He was your promised husband.
was nv child stood between him and veal
om- .sOh, God.' cried the girl, ''you do
M mean lN4L. IOE SOu sAhe, soy \
er you do not mean that!"
,hly "Mean it. Girl, know you mur'
eat ed nv child" mo! no.! no!!" Ler
The sh.ieked. '.In mercy's name ur
Gus your words. Rsyal-Royai, you
, J. not believe that!'
in NO, Lenore,' he answered, 81
a. not believe it.
aio' THANK Cod she said; and then
lo, went to Mrs. Gray, and, kneeling at
'ond feet, said: For Gods sake, III
Deb your words. Tell me that you de
ared think killed your child.
hres "Fool." shrieked the mother, y
W. YOU mad not to dream that | Sd
lerk. know the truth: Murdsress: let &c
icy dress"
iese At last Regal went ever and ca
the IL ri