Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1894-11-01
LUCILLE.

LUCILLE.
DR.. Harrisse, like most men, was fond
OF a pretty face, and when he caught one
glimpse of Lucille's as the wind blew her
veil aside on the homeward trip of the
Malta he wished he was her cousin or
the stout ship surgeon who dared offer
her his arm for promenade. There was
something almost familiar in the face
too. Where had he met her? At what
german or reception, in the salons of the
best society or in the wards of some hos
pital? Or was it only trick of imagina-
ton? Had he waltzed with her at some
seaside hop or taken her out at some
state dinner or wedding breakfast?
DIR. Harrisse was bold man in his
way. The few days on the Malta had
hung like lead on his hands, there being
but handful of cabin passengers, and
many of those without their sea legs. He
was man quick to think, but somewhat
forgetful His eyes met Lucille's. A
smile of recognition illumined her face.
He bowed confidently and advanced to-
ward her.
81 am happy to meet you again." he
said unblushingly. perhaps you find it
as dull aboard as do?"
eff you are at your wits end for
amusement, as am, I'm sorry for you,"
she said. "My poor aunt has not been
able so far to lift her head from the pill
low."
"Who the deuce do l know with the
appendage Of an aunt?" Harrisse men,
tally considered. However, it doesn't
signify if she is only amusing and the
aunt is not an ogre"
The ships surgeon, DR.. Johns, con-
suited his watch.
"Tll be obliged to deliver you to the
tender mercies of DR.. Harrisse, Miss
Lindsay" he said as he hurried away.
"You see am lame STILL" she pres
emily remarked.
sis it possible?" he returned, feeling
as if he was groping in the dark. Had
one of his acquaintances suffered an ac-
cident which had escaped his memory
She took it for granted that he was fa-
miliar with the circumstances. A mis-
step might expose him. "But doubtless
it will wear off in time," he hazarded.
81 fear not. You don't realize that the
accident happened six years ago. fused
it too soon. must ride, you know, at
that time or die. 1t was weak, and
got another fall and broke it again."
81 am sincerely sorry to hear it," said
DR.. Harrisse.
Was it possible that he had known this
blooming creature six years and had neg
lected to cultivate her? Now he would
learn by experience and make the most
of the present.
sis this your first visit abroadf"
"Yes. have been away five years. ]
call Europe my schoolroom. l didn't
know anything when l left America ex.
cept riding, you know. was perfect
Ounce. Ihave studied the arts and Ian.
guages. can sing and speak to you in
five tongues"
with the tongues of men and angels
I've no doubt"
81 can paint you picture that viii
not be half bad. Have not used my
opportunities"
II would to heaven I had used mint
half so we'll"
And then the interesting subject wa
allowed to drop.
But Lucille and DR.. Harrisse had {
thousand other things to discuss. II,
delighted in woman who dared to dis
agree with him. They found that the,
had Just missed each other at Inter
lachen; that he had only been preventet
by chance from joining the party witt
which she had made the ascent Of Noun
Blanc. They had mutual friends abroad
but still the great enigma, where he ha'
known her in America, remained IN
solved.
But he troubled himself very littl
about it Just now. He was drifting wit
the tide. He was passing through ney
phase of existence. He had believe
himself invincible, and, behold, he ha
been conquered by the touch Of hand
turn Of head" 1t was absurd perhaI
for man of his years to be so easily er
chanted. He rather longed for the en-
of the voyage in order to discover if
was only the glamour of a pretty fac
| and sweet manner that infatuated hin
/ He assured himself that 1t would.
. 1t seemed to DR.. Harrisse about tn
time that DR.. Johns was always joinin
: them, that he had weakness himse
for Miss Lindsay, and Harrisse smilet
, thinking how futile 1t was.
"You remember Captain Hamerton'
0 asked DR.. Johns on one Of these occ,
sions, when the talk had somehow drif
! ed upon love aud marriage.
Q "Oh, certainly" said Harrisse, wisl
; ing Captain Hamerton and DR.. JohI
!, were in the Red sea. figuratively speaI
/ Ing. 81 remember him-an ancient ma
l liner or somebody, eh?"
"Well, you know, he fell in love wit
circus rider. Fact. And he 90 il
= day. Real love AFFAIR.""
: "Oh, well," said DIR. Harrisse, "thet
Z must be nautch girls and circus ride
perhaps, but we don't choose our wiv
t and sweethearts from among them"
,. 81 think must go below, )" said Lucill
O "the sun is withering."
y Naturally enough Lucille was tired
!. the surgeons "reminiscences. Natural
!. she felt no interest in the vulgar loves
" circus riders and old beaux.
"Yop will miss the sunset" he 90