The Leon reporter. (Leon, Iowa) 1887-1930, 1901-01-24

mo dear boy! 1t Is almost too
good to be true! By this time they
must be married. and Temple Dene Is
saved!" Lady Jane Templeton sat
tapping her feet restlessly on the floor,
der dark-blue eyes flashing and spar
king as again and again she read over
closely written letter spread out
upon her lap.
Good news-the best Of all news
had come that day to the old home Of
me Templetons. The long, weary
years OF grinding poverty were at an
end. More. the utter ruin that threat
ened Temple-Dene was averted once
and for all. Little wonder, then, that
LADY James eyes danced, and her
mouth twitched with unaccustomed
smiles.
Il must tell somebody" she went
on agitatedly. And she stretched out
her hand to the bell handle.
Send Miss Leila to me, Somers,"
she looked round to say to the footman
who answered the summons.
While Lady Jane waited a slightly
anxious pucker came into her brow.
There's bound to be a shadow behind
each human JOY, however bright, and
Il would be difficult task for her to
tell the good news to the Somebody"
whom she had summoned.
It was cherries, cold December
day-the first Of the month. From the
distant belt of the Temple-Dene woods
a faint mist was rising.
Gould the blue skies and the warm
sun ever have laughed down on a
world so dun and sodden? Would
they ever again break through the
gray pail of sadness?
A slim figure of a girl, with hurt,
bewildered eyes and dropping mouth
was moving listlessly along the CORR
dor in obedience to the footman's
message. and in Leila Desmond's eyes
the gray day seemed to fit in with
her own ''sorrow-shot'' heart. She
almost hoped it would be always like
this now-dull and dun. lifeless and
loveless.
You sent for me, aunty?"
She parted the heavy, faded blue
plush portiere between the south and
the east drawing rooms. and looked
straight at Lady Jane.
"Oh, Leila, yes!" Her ladyship
started and she spoke nervously.
Quick! How slowly you move, child!
Come and sit here by me-" She patted
the blue-satin couch on which she
sank.
Everything about and around the
mistress of Temple-Dene was blue
pale blue-for Lady Jane had been
blonde beauty Of the fairest order in
her palmy youth.
Time had faded the hangings and
satin coverings, the frilled cushions
and the hue Of her own once rich
robe, for Lady Jane Templeton was
miserably poor woman. Evil DAYS
had come upon her and her belongings.
but they had not quenched the proud
Woman's spirit as they had that of
ner husband. Francis Templeton. the
dreary, broken man, who sat ali his
days in the library, victim to form
of melancholy.
The masterful spirit of the woman
NED never rested, seeking way out of
the dark cloud that shrouded Temple
Dene. All her hopes of deliverance
from sheer ruin were placed in Ger
Wis, the heir and only child she and
Rrancis Templeton ever had.
By day and night she had spent her
energies in rousing Gervis to the res
cue of his family.
SO the words that had trembled on
the lips of Gervis Templeton day after
day were unspoken after ali, From
boyhood his heart had been filled with
one tmage-that of the girl, Leila Des-
,mond. his mothers eldest niece. They
Were orphans-Leila and Sybil-
daughters Of Lady James passionately
loved younger brother. When he died
his sister gathered the desolate chill
dren, motherless as well as fatherless.
anto her home, bringing them up and
educating them.
But the instant the mother recog-
nized that the girl. Leila, had grown to
De the one woman in the world for her
son the springs Of love for her BROTH
er's orphan froze up. She almost hated
Leila, even after she had gained her
point and separated the two lovers.
But 1t was Lady James hour of tri-
umph, and she could today at least
afford to be gracious.
Come. my dear Leila" she repeat-
Cd, ! have news-great news-from
my boy"
A shock Of fear ran through the
girl, who had crept slowly up to the
faded blue couch.
Lady Jane, busily engaged adjusting
her eye glasses and spreading out the
foreign letter on her lap, did not OBJ
serve blanching cheeks and trembling
lip.
Il have heard from Gervis. A Won
derful thing has happened, Leila. You
will be astonished. My boy is engaged.
de has met sweet girl in San Fran
cisco-a great heiress; and-and-
well. I suppose they are actually mar
ried, for the wedding was fixed for
the last day in November. This is
The first Of the month, so, If all is well,
they are married. Can you believe it,
Leila? And, child, Temple-Dene is
saved. Her money will redeem the
dear old home. Oh. how good God
Isl"
Lady James voice ended in a chok-
ing sound. She was honestly, from
her very heart, sending up thanks
giving for what she thought a crown