Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1902-05-13

good as to give such help as he could to
my friend Freeman in his attempt to
find out whether that were so or not.
| It was very late next morning on re-
turning along the Lacroix Lane from
the little station to which I had ac-
companied Freeman and his wife that I
met Louise near the pond again. She
came toward me at once with look of
premeditation.
II have been looking for you,'' said
she. (How sweet those words sounded. }
81 knew you we're gone to the station.
l have something l wish to say Twill
you come with me into Uncle Jacque rs
cottage?-we shall be there safe from
being watched"
| What suspicion, wondered,
prompted that? I entered the little
octagonal building for the first time,
| and was Immediately in the presence OF
the old paralytic, who sat huddled and
wrapped in blankets in a great arm
chair, with his lifeless hands lying
limp in his lap. 1t was with a strange
feeling of pity, and something like awe,
that l looked upon this feeble. almost
lifeless, remnant of famous historic
family, spending the last fiickers of his
existence in humble cottage in for
e;gn land. A single fash of fancy was
enough to show me behind him long
line of warriors, statesmen, courtiers,
and priests of the old French regime,
from which stood out near the end the
figure of the white haired old soldier of
the Bastile falling slaughtered amid
the Paris mob-and that the glory, and
honor, and courage of the past should
end in this and here! Was it not
sufficient to fill the heart with an un-
utterable sadness and despair of life?
His eyes were bright, but there seemed
to be no speculation in them; his
toothless gums mumbled, but no sound
was uttered.
''He cannot speak word," said
Louise to me; "and do not think he
can quite hear now" but for all that
she spoke in low voice. "He looks
better, though, since the summer be-
gan, poor Uncle Jacques. The old man
who looks after him is gone out, so we
may talk as if there were no one here"
She threw off her hat and jacket, for
the air of the room was very close: a |
small fire burned in the CRATE. 1 felt
impelled to sit so that could observe
the old man without turning, for his
appearance fascinated me.
81 want to go away, Mr.. Unwin,"
she began at once in low tone of in
tense feeling, "out of this terrible
place, away from the despot, Mr.. Stein
hardt; l want to 60 and find out what |
has become of my poor father, and I
want you to help. me to go, if you will
be so good"
''Has Mr.. Steinhardt, shen," Iasked,
'been saying or doing something to
your"
ooh, yes. indeed! Yesterday. you
know, l saw Mr.. Biriev, and he said |
very sadly, almost with tears, that he
must not come to see me any more. I |
asked him why-and then it all came
out: he told me you know it all-how
Mr.. Steinhardt has been so terribly un-
grateful, how he has ruined him. His
name, he said, would appear any day
now in the Gazette. In the evening,
then, L told Mr.. Stienhardt that I
" ai'Cu SOhiC vi my HlOliSy, Ut Vi my
fathers money, to help Mr.. Birley.
He laughed and said I had no money,
little of my fathers was left
could not be touched till his death was
proved. then, l think. was angry
md called him migrate: and he was
angry, in his way, and rude. He called
ne rude, immodest girl. He said I
;hought of men before they asked me
don't know at all what he meant).
He told me must make up my mind
% marry Frank, as he wished and as
ny father had wisehd, or 1 should not
'tay long in his house. 1 said, my
ather would have never wished me to
marry anyone without love. He
that was of no consequences:
1e was now in my fathers place,
eft him and went to my room, and.
linking it over, it came to me how he
must have disliked my poor father, if
le could speak to me so, and how he,
did not much wish to have
ather's death cleared up. Then I
hought that it was likely he had not
aiken much trouble to inquire about
lin in London-all that, you see, was
n his hands. But now 1 will go to I
4ordon myself, away from his rude
less, and find out the whole matter for
nyself-if you will help me.' .