Weston weekly leader. [volume] (Weston, Umatilla County, Or.) 1878-189?, 1885-07-17
A TIMELY D.scLosgRE.

Cairndale was grand cid estate.
quaint stone mansion set in the mids
of smoothly-cut lawns, luxuriant gar
dens, border of thick woodland. Olt
Rufus Cairn could draw the interest o
his fortune by thousands, and he hae
shares in several successful enterprises
a man to be envied by right of wealth
and position. yet man that foand llttl,
pleasure in life, alone ard lonely in hi
fine home, with Injuries he could mo-
enjoy, and riches that did not bring hin
happiness.
He stood one day at the window of hi,
library overlooking the well-kept
grounds, and deep lines settled betweer
his heavy gray brows.
"What use is all this to me?" he NUT
tered. 81 was far more content when {
lad without penny in my pocket. Tet
how different all might have been if she
had come to brighten my life:"
Then his thoughts wandered hack te
the past when he had dreamed of love
aud happiness, and fair girls face
shone upon him like guiding star to
lead him on.
Stella Gaylor was not to blame that
| her heart, turning from Eer elder, re.
served suitor, went to the keeping OF
handsome young Percy Trafton. but up.
on Rufus Cairu the blow fell heavily.
He never saw her after her marriage,
but now and then came news to him,
and when Percy Trafton was deserted
by the Goddess Of Fortune that all the
while was bestowing his best gifts on
his rival of past years, stray bank.
note found its way now and then to his
humble home, with no clue to the send
er, and so perforce it was used.
Rufus Cairn was thinking it all over
az he stood there alone, and his face
grew almost tender with the influence
of sweet, half,forsottea memories.
"And now she is dead, he thought
with sigh. "Percy Traf.on too is
gone. Let me think---six months since
heard Of his death. I wonder what
became OF their daughter"
Then it was strange fancy came to
HIM, and out Of that fancy resulted the
arrival of Sybil Trafton at Cairndale.
A tall. slender girl with face like
that of Stella Gaylor in her youth, oval
delicately featured. pansy-eyed, and set
in frame Of GOLD brown hair. She had
the same graceful way, the low, sweet
voice, the gentle disposition, and Rufus
Cairns heart, dead 40 long to feelings
of affection and pity, grew tender at
sight of her.
There were others in the old mansion,
1 Sybil Trafton's aunt, Dudley Courtney,
a son of Rufus Cairns only cousin, his
halfsister Alice, and her friend Edyth
Lynn with her brother, Gerald, merry
party and one that appreciated and en-
joyed the old mans hospitality and
wondered a little at the motive that
must actuate it.
Dudley Courtney was a handsome
man, polished and of suave manners
the fair beauty of Sybil vas magnet
for his fancy, aud 1t CHANGED they spent
great part of the time together, while
Rufus Cairn looked ON we'll pleased.
One day lie summoned Sybil to the
library and there disclosed lis plans.
81 loved your mother" he said in hi:
grave, earnest way. ''Her memory is
still the dearest thing my heart car
cherish, and what l would have done
for her sake I would now do for yours
1 am an old man, rich, and without
nearer relative than Dudley Courtney
do not wish my estate and fortune tt
go outside the family, therefore leave i
TO you aud him on condition that yo,
laarry."
"Marry-oh-"
"Heur me, it is my dearest wish
You two young people l care more fo
than all others-why should ysu no
unite and enjoy my wealth together
Dudley cares for you. i know, and sure
ly you do not dislike him."
''Far from it, but"
II have set my heart upon it, =" con
tinued the old man, perSistently. cit i
for your own welfare. If he refuses, al
will go to you-if you refuse, neithe
gets penny"
ssBut that is unfair, Mr.. Cairn," erie
Sybil. "Do you not see the injustlc
of your plan? He is nearer to YOU tina
t I. 1t would be cruel"
.'Then marry him if you do not wis
a to see him deprived, retorted old RI
8 T'fus. grimly.
"I-I-"
"Do not answer hastily. will civ
You time to consider it. There, SO no
= and make your decision"
Syhil left the room in perplexity, an
at the same time movement OF tt
heavy curtains at the other end betra.
= ed the presence of listener. 1t ";
the form of Alice ourtney that glide
: cautiously away, and there was hus
u on her cheeks, g;eam in her eyes thu
8 bespoke restrained emotion.
IS To her own room Sybil went, swift
locking the door behind her, and pacir
= to and fro with c'asped hands al
q