Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-03-13
A PARTING.

nv 1 ELL II" ae said what 1net DO %rs you t1 3n1.
-. fully, as with shining eyes he
threw a letter on the table. His pretty
wife laid down her sewing, a f1imsy
bit of lace work, and crept close to his
side.
at will separate us, Jack" was all
she said, with quivering lip.
But, Alice, look what it will mean
to us"-to me, he had almost said.
Here have l been shaving for a mere
%pittance, and now this piece Of good
luck m at last; it is simply glori-
ous"' Then, casting a look at the sor-
rowful face 4 his side, he said, in a
soothing tone, 1T will only be for two
years at most, love, and then" in a
soothing tone, 1--WE will be as happy
as the day is long. You will be pa
tient, dear" he added, putting his arm
around her, but still glancing at the
letter on the table.
Yes, Jack, l know 1t Is for your
good,deed, but 1t Is so hard to BEAR"
and then scarce able to repress her
tears, she crept from the room.
Left to himself, Jack paced restless
ly to and fro.
Poor Alice" he said. and then his
thoughts flew away to the quaint little
fishing village on the west coast of
Ireland, where he had met her two
years ago. Being attracted by her
wondrous beauty, fell in love, and well
had married her, and been promptly
disinherited for his pains.
He had gone-and, oh, the desolation
that had crept into n loving, lonely
heart. For three months she had
scarcely left the house, dark rings
showed about the lustrous eyes; she
wandered listlessly to and fro, looking
at any little memento that might re-
mind her of him, her husband, her
husband, her darling; wondering why
the sun shone and looked at hearts so
sorrowful as hers. But one day, with
his familiar rat-a-tat, the postman left
a letter. 1t was from him, her idol:
she could scarce see it for binding
tears, yet all at once the world had
turned into a bright and joyous place.
Then, after a blisstul half hour spent
In deciphering it, she rushed for pen
and Ink to answer. But now the sweet
face clouded.
Il cannot do i'll cannot do It prop-
erly,' she murmured, a slight pout ON
her red lips. 'They would laugh at
MIN when they saw my letter. and
hot tears gathered in the brown ewes
sand fell II by one like little Jewels
upon the unoffending paper.
She bent her head upon her hands in
detection; a sunbeam stole through the
window and kissed her ripping hair.
and as If 1t had lent an inspiration TO
her troubled thoughts, her face sudden
ly cleared, she sprang up, the glad light
once more in her eyes.
I'll do It" she cried. 81 was ALWAYS
good at lace work. Miss Crickmay shall
teach me. I'll educate myself on the
money Jack sends me, and keep myself
by my lace. Lady Severn always bought
1t, and maybe in a year l can save
enough to take me out to Jack. nv
Jack, and 1t will be such a surprise TO
him."
And all the time with trembling
fingers and fast beating heart, she ar.
ranged her hat, preparatory to going
to the select School for Young Ladies'
e which Miss Crickmay presided.
Far away In India a young man WINS
bending over his desk, just signing a
flourlshing Jack" to a letter commenc.
Ing my dear WIFE"
"She must come here" he said
sadly. 1T would break her heart 70 no
sighted. What would Lady winton
say to her, l wonder? Not that she ISM
far more beautiful" he ended up.
Out on the blue Mediterranean n
great steamer pulsed land panted on
ward, ever onward, bearing its freight
of human lives, and in a cozy nook on
the deck Alice Trever sat and thought
OF Jack. 1t would not be long now
II how surprised he would be.
Lady Winton's ballroom had never
been surpassed; soft lights, glorious