Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1898-12-02
AN ANGEL IN PETTTCOATS.


q HE had whispered, "Yes, Jack, 1
love you" in response to his
~ question, his kisses were still
warm on her lips, their hearts were
beating in unison, though not so tu-
multuously as before, and now that the
first rapture and thrill were over, they
We're asking questions and making
their little confessions, after the man
ner Of lovers on the threshold of an en-
gagement.
"How many times have I been In
love before? Now, Jack, do you think
that is a fair question:" Ishe asked,
meeting his look with roguish glance.
"Why, certainly 1t is, Dora," he re-
piled earnestly. you say you love
me, so it really doesn't make any diff
ference about the others; they're done
for now; but l think l ought to know.
Still, If there are so many Of them"
"Please stop, Jack. l won't have you
saying such dreadful things, and, with
that look on your facew she interrupt
ed, playfully placing her hand over his
mouth, but quickly withdrawing 1t
when he attempted to kiss it.
"How dare your she exclaimed,
"after the way you've been talking?'
"Well, If you don't want me to say
things, why don't you answer my
questions|
"Must 1, JackT
IL am afraid you must, my dear"
"And you won't hate me after / tell,
will your
"Well-"
'That depends, you are going to say.
You needn't hesitate so long. l can
read your thoughts"
Can you? That's convenient for
you, I'm sure. l wish l could read
yours, then I'd know the answer to my
question"
would you really like to know"
why, yes, or l shouldn't have asked
IT."
"Well, Jack, If 1t will relieve your
mind any to know it, you have no pred
ecessors."
"Are you sure"
"Yes, Jack. You are the first and
only"
Thanks, awfully, Dora! I'm glad to
hear it; and now that question Is set
tied, we will"
''Oh, no, my boy; you don't get off
quite so easy as that! l want your
confession now. About how many
dozen times have you been in love, pray
tellT'
Jack Vernon WINGED. He hadn't
counted on this, exactly.
"Come, young man, you are now on
the witness stand, sworn to tell the
truth, the whole truth, and nothing but
the truthr she continued banteringly.
"Must II" said Jack, helplessly re-
peating her question of few moments
before.
~ am afraid you must, my DEAR"
mimicked she.
''But l am afraid you will hate me
after l confess"
as the record, then, so longT
"No; it is a very short one. l have
never loved but once-before."
"And she-she refused your
"No; never asked her."
"Why not? You see, l want the whole
story now."
Because of pride. She was n
wealthy heireSs; penniless lawyer,
with my fame and fortune yet to make.
i loved her; am not ashamed to say 1t;
she was a woman that one could not
help loving; she was all to me then that
you are now, and"
"And more. Go on and say 1t, Jack
] want the whole truth"
mo, l won't say that; but she was
the first, and love was new sensa- |
.tion to me then, and If had been her |
equal in wealth and station / might
but, pshaw! What is the use Of telling !
you all this? 1t Is all over now. Her |
love was not for me. / have put It |
aside-and, besides, have you. But
why are you looking so sober, Dora?
Have l confessed too much? You |
wanted the whole truth, you know"
"Yes, and l am glad you were brave
enough to tell 1t. How long ago was 1t
that-that this happened? p she faltered.
''Three years"
"And her nameT' she asked in low
tones
"Need l tell thatT
"Yes, please" said Dora, family.
Edith Burton"
Dora's face grew suddenly pale.
81 thought perhaps she was the one,"
she said, in voice that Jack scarcely
recognized.
"Why, do you know herY he ex-
claimed, in surprise.
81 used to room with her at boarding
school," answered Dora. She had re-