Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-07-23

are of me, but"
80! why didn't | want to marry a
decent barrlster, u DOCTOR or even a
journalist, instead of an Earl's younger
SON." said Miss Muriel Mallett, with
a frown on her pretty face, and tear
or two in her large, limpid eyes-eyes
which made all the men think, wrong
ly, that she was poetical and sentiment
al. "But, seriously, can you give me
upW
The Hon. Bob Martindale looked at
her. She was just his ideal-tall, we'll
built, but with saucy face in which
the big black eyes seemed out of place,
II fascinating. There was in her COun-
tenance the strangeness which, accord
ing to Bacon, is necessary to great
beauty. She affected tailor-made
gown and was always well groomed;
yet though her dress was a tri1e man
nish, in the brusque movements which
showed that she was fidgety, glimpses
of gossamer stocking and fine Valen-
ciennes revealed themselves, and show
ed that she had conscience in costume
that would have delighted the hero of
Gautiers novel with the famous pre-
face.
"My dear girl, If it were a question
of risking my life, or anything like
that wouldn't hesitate; If It were even
one of those affairs of fellows who
for few hours of-of-well, you know,
gladly die, I'd be there; but-but can't
be cad. They have brought me up
as a swell without any profession, and
I'm bit of a fool, and couldn't live
on your earnings as actress, so there
you are"
Miss Muriel sighed. Bob was hand
some fellow and manly, and he would
have the title and estates some day If
two obstacles were to disappear.
81 did like you, Bob, and do, and
you were always straight. should like
to have been your wife. If only we'd
some money to run theatrical COM
pany WITH
"Yes, If l hadn't been such juggins
as to blue the five thou old Uncle Tom
left mel didn't know you then"
"Yes, If we'd the five thou.r she
started a little "You will marry me
If ever have $4,000? o, you'd have
to work, have to be my manager"
He nodded
ITS a promise for two years?"
"Yes"
"Honor bright?"
Eyes, of course, if"
"lf | run straight? Well, look here.
we've been engaged-honorably-and
you want to break 1t Off"
He lowered his head.
"I'm young. only 24 even at Somer-
set House I'd like to have married
you, and | should have been good
wife, too. However, some day | may
want to marry some one else"
The man shuddered.
"a broken engagement isn't GER
titicate of good character; you must
give me one. That's fair"
She got up and wheeled to him
little round table. on which was croc-
odile-skin writing-pad, with silver
edges. She opened it, took out writing
paper, and found him pen and ink.
Now, then, write this
"My Dear Miss Mallett: 1t Is nv |
painful duty to tell you that l have
made fruitlessly Il desperate effort to |
gain my fathers consent to our mar
rlage. He utterly refuses, saying that |
he Is so oldfashioned as to object to |
have an actress as daughter-in-law.
am compelled to break |
Off my engagement with woman |
whom | still love and esteem"
The Hon. Bob signed the letter sad.
Iy.
"Now, be OF. I've TO go to rehearsal. |
No, you mustn't drive me down. Once |
more, II within two years l have five
thou. as capital, you promise you will
marry me2"
Z Eyes, darling. on my word Of honorv
with swift movement she threw
her arms around his neck and kissed
him passionately. A minute later he
found himself in the street, sad and
That evening there was rejoicing in
the big mansion in Belgrave square,
and the Earl Of HeSham drank too
much In honor Of the return to re-
spectability Of the prodigal Bob.
"Wen soon hnd you wife, my boy"
he said, over the port, which he drank
in honor OF the affair and In defiance
OF gout and doctors orders. "None
OF your rich American trash, but some
one OF decent family and the sort OF
solid. reasonable dowry that younger
son deserves"
Next morning at IL o'clock, when
the Earl was yainly trying TO put on
his boots without swearing at the pain,
the Hon. Bob entered the library with
a document In his hand. 81 never