Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1899-08-18

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"Poor little girl!' he said, rising and
picking up his sketch book. "And what
coincidence! If can see Kate the
fates may take it into their heads to
smile, after ALL"
He descended the hill whistling, and,
crossing the common, reached the
dusty road leading to the village. A
rumble of wheels and a rattle of har-
ness made him turn his head inquisi-
lively, and then scene almost identi-
cal with the one that had taken place
on the hill half an hour before was
enacted.
"Haroldw
Hasland staggered under the hail of
questions that followed, but struggled
manfully to answer them. Giving the
coachman orders to drive slowly, she
tripped down and they walked on side
| by side.
"Have you seen Aunt Carrier she
asked.
Good gracious, no, Katie! It's the
queerest thing in the world. 1 only
came down here day or two ago, and
hadn't the faintest idea in the world
that she was within 100 miles Of the
place. 1 haven't seen her or had line
since our mutual understanding and
the battle that followed. l suppose
she's as flinty as ever?"
"Poor fellow" she said sympathetic
cally. "It must be horrible expert
ence to be cut off with a shilling or
without even that; but I'm sure it
would be infinitely worse for both of
ushad we countenanced her pet scheme
and married. l am very fond of you,
Hal, but"
'It would hardly have been a Darby
and Joan existence eh? What does
aunt think about your engagement with
Lord FiskertonT
"She didn't like 1t at all at first and
gave me homilies by the hour on my
base ingratitude in abandoning her in
her old age. She declared she would
leave every penny she possessed to
some home for lost donkeys, or some
thing similar"
But she seems more contented since
she got this new ladys companion and
she never writes me without lauding
this person to the Skies"
A sudden bend in the road brought
them In sight Of the struggling village
street, and both paused simultaneous
ly Hasland was embarrassed and irri-
tated.
al wish you wouldn't call Miss
Thornton person. Kate?" he blurted
out, after an awkward pause. t.
"Oh. you know her?"
"You see, Kate" he stammered, with
sudden resolution. "I'd better make a
clean breast Of 1t, for after all you owe
me something. The fact is, I'm in love
with her-over head and ears. She's
had a rough passage, poor little wom-
an, but even taking that into consid-
Grafton, l can't ask her to marry me,
my prlncely salary being something
like $1,000 year. If you can do moth.
ing else, be kind to her. Promise"
"Of course WILL" she answered.
The old lady was not in a pleasant
temper. She motioned to Miss Thorn.
ton, who had been reading to her, to lay
down the book.
II think little sunshine will do me
no HARM" she said sharply. LET us
walk down as far as the river"
They crossed the quaint wooden
: bridge and turned down the shady
path under the willows.
Near the gate that barred the path
stood an easel, and an artist was busily
, at work under the shade Of an nm
, brella.
, The recognition was instantaneous,
and the old lady caught her breath
gaspingly, while Hasland compressed
his lips.
, Then, for the third time In the three
: days the little tableau was enacted.
, Harold" she said hesitatingly.
"AuntI'
The old lady stood irresolute for q
| moment, and then extended both hands
J which Hasland caught in his.
, That evening, just at dusk, Harold
t Hasland and Ethel stood on the broad
, veranda together. His arm was about
, her waist.
ut is all so strange" she whispered
that can hardly realize it yet"
. 1T Is strange" he answered, with q
kiss, "but 1t is true for all that."-Lon
=. don Evening News.
Z
, Making n Left-Handed Admission,
Three citizens-one lawyer, one @
doctor and one newspaper man-sat