Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1900-02-23
Sc Nn darling, it is entirely out
mI of the question"

|
looked down at her heaven-blue eyes
with troubled light in his own.
But, Ernest, why? She is a woman,
this aunt Of yours, with all woman's
tender and feminine Influences" plead
ed Lucy Rodney.
''She is an old maid, Lulu, with all
an old maids unaccountable whims and
caprices. And l tell you she would
never forgive me If she were to know
of my marriage"
Lucy's brown eyes glittered through
momentary tears.
"Ernest, l am sometimes tempted to
wish that you had never seen me-"
Lucy! BY darling! Are you so soon
beginning to lose hope and courage"
he asked, almost reproachfully.
"Only for your sake, Ernest, am
happy, just as we are"
"Then. dearest, dismiss the one shad-
ow from your heart. We will struggle
along for the present, anyway-and
when my aunts property becomes
ours"
"Oh. Ernest! it seems so wrong thus
to look forward to the death of ones
fellow creaturesw
He smiled and shrugged his shoul-
ders.
1T is the way Of the world, my love.
And l have certainly nothing to expect
from Aunt Esther during her lifetime.
Now. little one, give me a kiss. and
wish me Godspeed. If succeed in sell
ing my picture I will be back by noon.
If not-why, then, l shall just try
again"
And so the young artist parted from
his pretty wife.
Lucy ran after him to the steps.
Ernest! Ernest! You'll be sure and
not forget to order the little cradle!
Baby came so near falling off the sofa
last night"
''Pll remember" said Ernest Rodney.
He would have liked to spring into an
omnibus instead Of walking on that
: sultry June morning; he would have
enjoyed a cigar-but he remembered
Lucy's darned gown and mended
gloves. and resolutely buttoned up his
slender purse.
"No,n he said to himself. "it is these
indulgences that drain away fellows
income; must not give way to a single
one-not until am richer than at pres
ent.'
While pretty Lucy sat down by the
window, its seat filled in with roses and
geranlums, to sing her blue-eyed baby to
sleep, and contrive how she could best
turn her only black silk dress upside
down and inside out, to make it seem
like new again.
The clock in the warerooms Of
Messrs. Newell & Moulding, furniture
dealers and upholsterers, had just
struck 2. and Mr.. Moulding entered
with brisk step.
"Boy," cried he. breathlessly, to an
overgrown specimen of the genus homo,
who was polishing a bedstead back,
"where is this cradle to goT
"Name of E. Rodney" the boy speed
lily made answer.
"Where"
The boy scratched his head.
/, "I-I forget. SIR" he reluctantly re-
piled. But know the name was Rod
ney."
You're a blundering-headed dolt,"
Mr.. Moulding barked impatiently out.
do you expect an article is to stand
here all day after being bought and
paid for? Give me the directory
quick"
He whirled the pages over with his
finger and presently came to medita-
tive pause.
Rodney, E." he muttered between
his teeth. mo. - General street. Take
It around there at once, Martin. None
of your loafing around, now"
And Martin. shouldering the cradle,
started with promptitude.
Miss Esther Rodney sat at her worst
ed work by the front window when
Martin toiled up the steps, his brow
beaded with perspiration. Now, Miss
Esther was tall, thin old maid, with
brown face, angular jaws and irregu-
lar teeth.
"Bless my soul allvew cried Miss Es-
ther, dropping the worsted needle
which was about to finish dogs nose
In gray and white zephyr, whats that
thing coming here for? and she jerked
up the window. Boy! boy! there Is
some mistake"
Martin stared.
"Name Of L. Rodney, memw said he,
glancing dublously at the door-plate,
| which bore n similar legend
"Humphr shifted Miss Rodney
"what on earth do you suppose want
with such an article as that? Who
ordered it?"
"Your husband, mem, l s'pose," an
swered Martin, hopelessly.
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