Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1901-04-19


About what?"
About your tears. Why did you
weep! You were not much given to
weeping once upon time. About your
sickness, you used to be as the trees
and the birds and the winds Of the
prairie. About your determination to
visit California. Was twas it be-
cause | was there?"
DO you think it could be possible? 2"
She spoke reprovingly, and Marvin
bowed his head.
NO." he replied, gloomily, 'it was
ridiculously presumptive in me to sug-
gest it. II had hoped it might be so,
that is ALL"
The young woman placed her hand
lightly upon his shoulder, and he quiv-
cred at the touch.
Russell" said she, "three years ago
you honored ME by proposal of mar
riage. l deferred my answer for one
week. l was not in doubt regarding
my own mind, but had good reason.
And you did not come back for your
answer. Why?"
WHY" Marvin repeated the query
as one dazed.
Yes, why? l had right to expect
something better Of you than l re-
ceived. l waited for you, but you
neither came nor sent word of explana-
tion. There was but one Inference to
be taken, and l took it. You had
changed your mind; could forgive you
for that, but it was cowardly not to let
me know. 1t was cruel 1t hurt me,
Russell, more than can tell"
But your letter."
81 wrote you no letter."
Il received letter, Marion
win spoke slowly, after the manner Of
one who has been stunned-"written
by you. 1t containedeone line, and that
line was Russell, my answer is no;
cannot 1t was delivered to me by
your maid. l did not think it necessary
to see you after that. thought you
did not wish me. to-" a ,"'
~ The young woman stood up excited
ly, then seated herself again. She was
laughing, but there was a look of pain
upon her face, and her eyes swain with
tears. .,.,i
Il understand it now," she said, bro
kenly; Il see how it happened. My
brother was in trouble. He and father
had disagreed over the payment of GER
tain debts, and he applied to me for
money. l gave it to him-poor boy!-
until my allowance and my patience
were exhausted. He had sent an ap-
peal for money on the day you received
that letter. l wrote to him, saying that
could not give him more. l put the
message in an envelope and told the
girl to take it to Mr.. Russell. You and
he have the same name. The stupid
creature took it to you. l never knew"
20, my dear" Marvin grasped her
hand and fondled it.
AFTER that" she continued, hurried
ly, II seemed to lose my strength.
was attacked one night on the street
by mana huge, coarse brute, who
threw his arms about me and stuffed a
handkerchief into my mouth. | was
not able to utter cry, so suddenly did
he come upon me. l was saved by
sheer chance. A gentleman saw the
wretch attack me and rushed to the
rescue. He did not even take time to
call for the police. He was very brave.
He was not so large as my assailant,
but he grappled him fearlessly, and
and was stabbed with knife. | knew
nothing after that. l tainted. When
l returned to consciousness was In an
ambulance rumbling toward home. The
police knew nothing Of fight, they
said, beyond the fact that the pavement
was covered with blood. They seemed
quite disgysted when they found that
l had not been murdered. told them
all l knew, and that ended it, so far as
they were concerned; but so far as |
was concerned-well, it was weeks be-
fore the doctor declared the danger of
brain fever passed"
phV uoNh lutO MAI up
turned face tenderly, and something
she saw there impelled her to lean for
ward and touch his forehead with her
lips.
marion dear" said Marvin, gently,
81 would confess to you. During those
days when you were waiting for me |
was following you like a dog. / want
ed to be near you. was near you that
night"
"Then 1t was you who"
In answer he pulled up his sleeve, dis
closing long red scar.
ut was small price to pay for the
opportunity of fighting for the girl |
loved" he said. II went away after
that quite satisfied. l felt that 1t had
been worth while after ALL /"
There was a sound Of escaping air be-
s.i. 4to D,,II,,,op apd Tho t,.a t., la.<o,,