Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-10-30
Delay in the Mails


CO HE course of true love Is never
vi smooth. There must be little
- wounded vanity and injured
feelings, trifing misunderstanding
and ephemeral quarrels, which all clear
I'D of their own accord, and the sky
il as serene as ever. But now and
then there is a more serious falling
out which can only be righted by a
confession of having been in the wrong
and a prayer for forgiveness. Some
times both youth and maiden are own
ers of pride which they would rather
die than humble, and their two lives
are irremediably severed for lack Of
simple, II was to blame; forgive.'
Bessie Winthrop and Albert Hedges
had parted in anger. They had been
engaged for nearly year, and, though
many petty alterations had arisen
from time to time, they both felt that
now all between them was over, If they
pursued their usual method of letting
matters drift. One Of them must bend
and from Bessie's knowledge Of her
lover she was quite sure that it would
not be he. The tears welled up as she
remembered the ugly humor in which
he had left her. He was always so
hasty, but perhaps she had eXasperated
him little Perhaps she was more to
blame than she at present realized. At
any rate she would try to bring about
a reconciliation; she would write him
note telling him that she was sorry,
and asking him to forgive her. Reason
urged that he was more at fault than
she, but he would never see it in that
light, and-well, she loved him, that
was all; and what will not a woman
do to win back the man who is her
whole existence"
So, in spite of the fact that Cousin
Henry, who was her favorite cousin,
had come to bid the family good-by
previous to his departure for the Klon-
dixie, she stole away from the parlor
to write the letter which would re-
store matters to their old footing. She
did not spare herself, nor did she re-
proach her fiance in the least. 1t was
self-condemning appeal, such as only
woman can write, and which would
make the man who had called 1t forth
feel ashamed Of himself, If he had a
conscience. She was positive, as she
handed the letter to Cousin Henry to
mail, that Albert would rush to see
her as soon as he received it, and
everything would be all right forever
arter, They would both have learned
lesson, and would take care to avoid
arepetition Of the incident.
But what perverse spirit is it that
sometimes enters into men? Whenever
the Dell rang the next day her heart
throbbed with eager expectation, but
'he door opened only upon disappoint'
ment. When night came there were
great red circles around her eyes.
Ihere must be something wrong, for
ALBERT certainly would not so abso
lutely ignore her motel Perhaps he
was out of town. Another day passed
ana then week, and then several
weeks; but he did not come. She saw
MIN twice on the street. Once she
Knew he saw her, but he quickly turn
gu MS face the other way; and once
ior moment her sorrow gave place tc
'he wild fury of the "green-eyed mon
s.er'-he was walking with another
girl.
lhen rumors of his attentions tt
MIA Ross began to reach her ears, ant
.re many months had passed the pitt
iess black and white announcement OF
.nelr engagement appeared in thu
morning papers.
She had spells of inward rage, wher
she would accuse him of shallow
neartedness and unworthiness; but hel
niind never failed to drop back int
s normal calmness, and then her onl,
,uVught was, I'm spite of all 1 canno
help loving him."
ALBERT Hedges and Nita Ross wer'
r'ed before the year was out