Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1902-04-24

shorter and inclined 10 be rather s'out'
4 childiess widow with ample means
she was deyottdto Hugh. and very iond
of doing nice .hings for others. Hugh
was also comfortably well of, ana not
at all dependent upon the profession
he had chosen.
Two years after this conversation,
Hugh, on another visit to the west
had stopped to look after his sister
property. and TO see how her protege
was getting along. Six months before
this, Mrs. Holten had been stricken
with paruiys.s. and Lena had returned
home to care for her and the niue
household, 20 helpless with the cher
worker laid low. The family resources
were small. and, when Lena had the
chance Of teaching the neighboI hood
school for the sdH-m,r months she
glnd!y took it. She wrote brightly ana
hopefully to her friend, but Mrs. Nor
rison feared that the girl was oVerdo-
ing. and was greatly worried about
her. She had looked forward to taxing
Lena abroad. another year, to cultivate
her voice. and was loath to give up her
plans, even for time.
Hugh Ramsey came, saw, and-was
conquered, that little busybody.
Cupid, wiuging an entirely unlocked
for shaft straight Mt his heart at MS
first meeting with the girl. She was as
Mrs. Morrison had predicted, beauty
indeed. with her soulful deep-b,ie eye.
long. dark lashes, finely penclled dark
brows. roseleaf complexion, and hair
of that rare golden shade rarely seen
beyond early childhood-coiled on the
top Of her shHpely little head and fall
ing. in soft, feathery rings, on her
white forehead. She was as charming
in mind and manner as she was in per-
son. and the young mans subjugation
was complete.
Hugh lad made many visits TO the
little schoolhouse, and had ridden over
ono afternoon from his sisters place to
plead his cause once more. The MIR
frame schoolhouse stood by the road
side, at the foot Of II thiniy wooded
hillside. From the doorway chHrm-
ing view was had over broad, farm
dotted valley, bordered with fringe
of trees and vyifed by winding
river.
School was out, and'the children had
gone their several ways. The day had
been very suitry, with sudden dashcs
of rain and frequent gusts Of wind, and
Lenu-,ooking picture in her simple
blue muslin gown-said. ms she began
to put tht things in order on her desk:
"Nou should not have come out in
this heat, MI. Ramsey and you must
go back before it storms"
"Neyer mind about the storm, Lena"
he said, earnestly, leaning over the
desk, trying to capture one of the busy
little hands. Listen to me. must 20
away very soon, and | cannot bear TO
90 until you have promised to be my
wife. Can't you care for me little,
when love you so much? Your school
closes tomorrow, and cannot endure
the thought Of your taking another
and drudging so. II you will marry
me you need not worry about your
parents. | will be glad to make them
comfortable. Jerry told me the other
day that he was thinking Of marrying
Mary Jones, and that she was willing
to come home with him and care for
the old people. Your mother would
approve. if she could speak, and your
father has already given his consent
Do say yes, my darling, and let me take
you right away. | know that | can
make you happy, and Zadah will well
come you with open arms"
81 am afraid, Mr. Ramsey, that you
do not fully understand your sisters
wishes | know that she hopes to zee
you marry your cousin, Miss Powers,
and unite your two fortunes. She told
ne so last summer, and do you lhink
anything would make me 90 against
! the wishes Of one who has been SO good
| to me2 Your cousin is beautiful, ac-
complshed, woman of the world, able
to take her place beside you in society.
am only poor girl with no knowI-
edge OF the great world, and just
enough education to realize my short
commgs. ! know that Mrs. Morrison
is fond Of me, but she is not fond
enough to welcome me as sister 60
home, dear friend; marry your cousin
and forget your fancy-it can be no
more-for me, Say good-by now, aud
do not come again"
"lf you really do not care for me,
Lena, | would be brute to urge you
further; but | shall not marry my
cousin. We do not care for each other
in that way, and you are all wrong
about Zadah's objecting to you did
not tell you what she said in her last
letter. wanted-great Heavens!
What is that?"
Ii. had grown very dark, and ter
rible roaring sound burst upon their
startled ears. Raining to the door,
they beheld n fearful sight Coming
swiftly up the valley, huge, funnel
shaped, blnck cloud, rising and falling.
was moving a wide path, leaving death
and destruction in It's wake. The air
was thick with dying objects; parts of
buildings and their contents; fence
boards, farming implements, even
large animals, all tumbing over and
over, torn to shredS, now and then cast
of TO one side or the other. Only mo
ment did they stand gazing helpless
ly at the monster; then it passed
brushing, with its outer edge, the lit
tie building, lifting it up and tossing
II aside like feather. Hugh lay seem
ingIy dead, Lena, uninjured, bent over
him, covering his white face with
kisses, crying:
MY dearest, my dearest! Heis dead,
andwillueyer know how l worship him!
Why did not die, too2"
because, my darling" said Hugh,
opening his eyes suddenly, and putting
has arms around her, you are going to
live for mel"
better Not.
"Do you live happily with your hus-
baud?"
"Ot course, Ia like to see him try