Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-02-23

You will go on
with your studies
and eventually make the rich marriage
your mother intends for you. You and
l must walk different path in life
from the one we had planned, but we
will be friends, Jack, and | shall look
forward to your success with as much
pride and interest as you can desire.
Now, Jack, for the sake of our school
days, If nothing more, let us be
friends"
The sweet voice for which Molly
Maitland was so much envied ceased,
and there was silence in the little room.
Outside the rain fell in torrents and
the wind blew so hard that the boughs
of the trees beat against the windows.
Inside the little parlor was bright with
the light of the lamp and the sparkle
of the fire in the open CRATE. And In
this CHEEKY little room, with The sound
of the storm and the occasional crack
ling of the wood fire breaking the ST.
lence, sat Jack Marshall and Molly
Maitland deciding the question of their
future life.
Jack had just graduated from Har
ward and was about TO go abroad to
continue his medical studies for two
years. How he wanted to take Molly
with him, both he and Molly knew, but
she conscientiously refused to go and
make Mrs. Marshall miserable. The
naughty woman had called upon Mrs.
Maitland and Molly, and finding the
latter alone had told her that 1t would
break her heart and spoil her whole
life plans If Jack did not marry his
rich cousin, Eleanor North, adding:
"Of course, 1t would be n great match
for you, but when Jack Is once In
Europe he will see his mistake, and 1t
will be far better to break off now than
80 be tied for life to man who does
ber that am an older woman than you
are and have seen more of the world,
so | ask you to promise me- Molly
felt as If the earth was slipping away
from her, but she gave that promise
and fulfilled it, like the brave little
woman that she was.
molly, Molly. is that all you have
to say to me? What can you meanT'
he cried as he grasped her hands In
his. Just what have said, Jack" an
swers the soft voice.
"Tll go to the devil then" is the un-
expected reply.
"Jack, don't talk so cowardly. Can't
YOU see that II is for your own good
And your mother will be so miserable
II you do not marry Eleanor Her
whole life Is centercd In you. Go, now,
and let this subject drop between us,
for Jack" the words came slowly, al
most sobblngly now, II shall never
marry you"
zone look-one kiss" and, mutterlng
those words again, he Is gone into the
storm. and Molly-well, we will leave
our heroic II mistaken In her idea OF
duty girl of 20 to herself.
Ten years have passed and great
changes have entered the lives of oul
friends. Mrs. Maitland and Mrs. Mar
shall have both died. Within thre,
months of each other the two mother,
are laid away. Jack had not beer
heard from up to the time of his moth
cr's death. and Molly had taken III
nursing ms her vocation, and was ma
tron of the emergency hospital at b
For the first year after leaving hom,
Jack Marshall had lived Il pretty wilt
life, but on Christmas morning, Molly,
birthday, he had bowed the curly heaC
and promised himself and higher
power to live life worthy of Molly
Maitland, even though she would nevel
be his.
From that time on success attended
NIL his undertakings, and he had mad,
name for himself In the medca
world. After settling up his estat,
(for the immense property was left en-
tlrely to HIM, he entered upon his du
ties rs city physician of R.
one day In June he started out {,
visit the emergency hospital and con