Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1899-05-12
7 Z is disgraceful," cried Gertrude
Foster, passiOnately.


ing to do about it,"
The young man was lying In q ham,
mock, swung at the end of the piazza; !;
his sister was seated near him, in a
rocking chair, which she kept in vigor
Gus motion, as though thereby trying
to accentuate her remarks concerning
the letter she held in her hand.
A boy about 16 years of age was
lOunging on the steps, with a novel be-
fore him, but the contents of that epis-
tie had apparently taken away his IN
terest in the story, for he was not read
ing.
'You surely are not surprised, Ger
trude," continued the occupant Of the
hammock. 81 have been noticing for
some time the care father took in max
ing his toilet, when he went out on
business. Business!' laughing deris-
lively; my stern parent never fooled
me much. l thought he was going
a-wooing."
"Yes," returned Gertrude. "But how
can a man with a heart fall in love
dSdlll-SO SOOn, anyway Z!
Maybe she was his first love, from
whom he was separated by a misun-
derstanding," said Harold, putting his
hand over his heart sentimentally.
Hello! the rain has stopped-and
there comes livery stable carriage.
How dramatic Rain stops, enter hero!
Come along Jim we would not be here
to embarrass the greetings of two
young and loving hearts" He disap-
peared through the door, while Jim
slowly followed in his lazy, languid
way, saying, "Tell Dick l will see him
at supper"
BY this time the carriage had entered
the gates and was coming rapidly up
the long avenue that led to the house.
The Fosters prided themselves on their
well-kept grounds, especially the drive
from the lodge gate to the house, which
was bordered on either side by maple
trees.
They gave delightful shade during
the summer months, and their gorge
GUS foliage in the fall made the Foster
place the glory of the neighborhood.
But neither Richard nor Gertrude
thought of the naples as he was driv-
ing under them that afternoon. He had
been abroad two years; his only thought
was that, at last, he was really to be
with his tiancee once more. While she
forgot her fathers second marriage
N In,
But after they had been together an
hour or two Gertrude remembered the
letter and her face fell.
20, Dick" she said, father is mar
ried again. | received note just a
few minutes before you came, telling
me about it, He said he should be
home in few days and wanted me to
have everything done to make her
homecoming pleasant"
Dick looked grave-then replied
"Well, 1t will be only for n little time,
but" cheerfully, Il will take you away
right Off, If you like"
Gertrude laughed. 90! guess | can
support her presence few weeks, but
Isn't II dreadful-for man to get mar
ried Il second time"
Awful" he returned, with convic-
tion. Then, after seconds pause: II
mean as rule; of course, there are ex-
ceptional cases, That reminds me-" he
added; you have heard me speak of
my aunt MarionY"
The aunt who, you say, has redeem
ed the race of old maids in your esti-
mation?' asked Gertrude.
"The same" he answered. "Wel.
mother wrote me some time ago that
she was going to be married. suppose
/ shall hear all about II tonight when
/ go home. You know" he continued
"a great many years ago Aunt Marion
fell in love. She was boarding in the
country at the time, and, although he
reciprocated her affection, they had
not confessed their mutual attachment
when her nearest friend came to board
at the same place. This young lady also
was fascinated by the same gentleman.
and began to think how she could sup
plant my aunt In his estimation. She
had recourse to strategy; told number
less falsehoods to both of them, and
managed, In a short space of time, to
provoke quarrel between them.
"Aunt Marion was proud and sensI-
tive, sought no explanation from her
whilom admlrer, trusted her friend, and
lost her lover.
"In year or two she heard of their
marriage, which opened her eyes a lit
tie and caused the girlish friendship
to be broken Off. Two years ago she re-
selved n letter from this woman, who,
1t seems, was dying, confesslng the
whole truth. she also left an explana.
4 L. 4