Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1897-05-13

''If there is anything especially OBJ
nOXi0uS to me-" avowed Miss Murphy
in solemn conclusion, it is interfer
ence with the affairs Of others; but in
this case said to myself, Duty, Mary
Anne Murphy. duty"
"O!' gasped .IeSsica She had sunk
back in the rOse-berbbOned rattan
rocker in quite a trcmor of dsmay.
very charming room. this suburban
parlOr. into which gold bars of Sun-
shine Slantcd through the half-closed
Nenctians. Worthy even of pretty
Jessica-it, with its tiled hardwood
floor, It's silver-foX and bearskin rugs,
It's Aladras-draped windows. its quaint
ly modern mantel of polished oak, its
eccentric chairs. its grotesque tables.
its dainty aquarelleS, its Chinese cabi-
nets, its slender but admirably chosen
collection Of biSque and Limoges.
And surely eye. however critical.
could crave no sweeter picture than
little Miss Ray made II her pale. blue
Surah tea gown. cascnded with Valen-
ciennes, and all her bronze bright rip-
ply hair braidNd in childish fashion
down her back. But just now the love
ly race was curi0usly colorlesS. the pur-
ple-buc eyes wide and startled under
their long laShcS.
There WAS silence after that sharp
exclamation of Jessica's. Miss Murphy
could afford to he silent. She had
dropped her small shell and it had eX
ploded with II most satisfactory report
She sat rigidly erect in the conscious
ness of duty done, every fold of her
black silk visiting costume stiff with
propriety every pOmpon on the brown
biege bonnet bristlng with respecta.
bility.
Il don't believe word of it," de-
clared JeSsca, slowly.
IT impollte the remark was in no de.
gree inSolcnt. 1t was simply the utter-
ance of IL conviction Miss NIurnbv
was not offended She removed her
gaze from Il gem of Van Elton's ON the
opposite wall to fasten ii ON the ari
tated little lady in the rocker. II took
some endurance on ,IeSSica'S part TO sit
meekly under the scrutiny of those fad
"d blue eyeS-eyeS tolerant, placid
Deaming, aS those of hrnignant old
COW.
1t is true, my dear. He said it.
heard him with my own earsm"
This really was unanswrrable.
"They were in the front pnrlor." pur-
sued Miss Murphy, folding her plump
tan-glovcd hands with aggravating
leisure ana serenity. 81 sat sewing
Just behind the portiere. never would
nave Slaid could only have foretold
what was coming. They had been
talking about other things. and wrr,
silent for awhile. suddenly my Ned
burst out laughing. so you've seen
her he said. and you don't fancy hnr
ehF Fancy her. echoed Jack. Wei
l should say not."
"Well!' urged JeSSica. steadily.
She would hear il out. she told ber-
self-Shc would-eycry word of it,
wen. Them slowly. to heigEtcn nv
suspense the effect of her narrative.
Ned said, The boys around here all
like her Immensely. Roy Pates SAYS
she's II daisy"
%. moaned JeSsica. "You must px.
cuSe that nephew of mine. NV da,r.
You really must. Ned but repeats " hat
he hears. Besides. YOU know. he is
only boy yet-just Is. What Ned
said is of no Importance. Please 20
on"
She sat erect again. very pale ard
imperative, indeed.
IF you insist ON hearing" hesitat.
mgly, Jack replied, Wei. | don't. I
did just at first. | confess for awhil,
she deceived me. But Il few DAYS gave
me enough of her Ned said: WHY
We all thought you were in great luck
To get her Luck cried Jack in an,
swer, so loud my dear, fairly Jump,
ed. Luck! Yes, the most confounded
piece of bad luck ever struck | am
ashamed To say. my dear, but to he
Neracious | must say that here Ned
quite carried away 10y his youthful
sympathieS, inquired: Can't YOU get
out of itE And Jack said: 'COnfound Il
no! That's the worst of 1t. cam
break such contract with any honor
TO myself But only wish some othe,
fellow stood in my shoes just now. rv,
promised to take her, and I've got to d,