Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-06-26

uoOr anu proceeded TO take on his
coat. Captain Jim gripped the back
c broken chair with his lett hand,
producing his pistol, determined to
defend hemself. He stood erect as
he confronted Joe. "Drat my skin,
you CANT worrit me no MORE" he ex-
citedly exclaimed.
AT that moment the front door open
ed and Jack Walker entered. He
closed the door behind him and stood
quietly gazing on the scene.
A hush fell over the party, broken
by Barbara, who exclaimed, dad,
forgot all er'bout It."
Annie recognized him at once, and
her laughter ceased instantly. A
deathly palior oerspread her face.
What thoughts flew through her brain
at that instant may only be copjec-
tured. What We do know Is, that she
was a woman of wonderfully Quick
perception, and it is possible the
thought Of her surroundings may have
caused & fear to come over her, the
like of which she had never before ex-
perienced. And it flashed through her
mind hat it was Jack, and not Cap
tain jim, who sent Smith with the
Christmas box. She loved Jack, loved
him as wife who Is devoted to her
husband, and that love never faltered
through all the years of his absence
Twice he was reported dead, and once
that be had abandoned his wits and
family Tor another woman; but she
would not believe It, and though COM
, paratively YOUNG. had been true to
him, faithful to her VOW made at the
altar OF her wedlock. For four years
she had struggled on alone to pro.
vide -or hesrelf and three helpless
children. True, her brother ice was
source Of protection, but little help
she derived from him. She was never
without hope, always cheerful, though
oftentimes with aching sides and
smarting eyes, and still never word
did she receive from him. Her be-
lief, that he would some day return to
her and his children had never been
for one moment shaken. And now he
had come. Now that he stood within
the portal Of their home, without warn
ing, for as we have seen, Barbara had
fentirely forgotten to carry out her
part of the program, at moment,
when the scene presented, must me-
cessarily convey bad impression, an
impression of unfaithfulness. of de-
Element; the thought of that impress
sion dazed her. 1t was therefore, with
blancEed face she at length, gasped
his name, "Jack," and, staggered to-
ward him.
He stopped her with slow, but
meaning gesture of his right hand,
while his other pressed tightly
against his left breast, as though
something hurt him there. His stern,
dignified appearance awed even that
wayward child, Barbara, into silence.
1t was at this dramatic juncture,
that Captain Tom thrust his head in
the still open kitchen door, menacing.
ly fiourished his club, and shouted out
in the profound stiffness Of the room
I'm live corpus, yet, yer bloodthisty
villain, shore | am. Come out" No
answer to his challenge being made
he was about to act on the offensive
when his eye rested on Walker. He
was surprised at seeing a stranger
there and all silent before him, but
his surprise quickly gave way ia
amaZement on recognizing his old
friend, and he impulsively calculated
"snags a-boomin', it's Jack, ez shore
ez I'm a kicker He had known
Walker intimately for a number OF
years and when Jack left to try his
luck at mining, Tom would not be.
lieve he ever intended to desert his
family, and so stoutly did he enter
tain that belief that for the space OF
three years of Jacks absence any one
limiting "desertion," met with the lie
direct, and an invitation to fight un
i'm m n
calumny. But the fourth year shool,
Captain Toms fifth in Jacks return
The situation had begun to take on
a serious form by the sudden appear
ance of Walker. who was a man oi
prompt action. Fortunately, however
Captain Toms exclamation of amaze
ment had the effect Of starting thaw
in the frigdity of Walkers demeanor
Jack had confided his desire that
they. the Webbs, keep an eve or
Annie and the children during his alb
sence. His misgivings were allayed
some by seeing Nan there, and his
eyes rested on Smith. and upon Joe
his wife's brother, surely all Of re
assuring nature.
Yet. there stood that villainous look
ing stranger (Frank) armed with
deadly weapons, and the half fright
ened old man, a stranger too.
What could 1t all mean? His fac,
began to take on troubled look. ant
then Annie appealed to him. in low
and tender voice. full Of pathos, "Jack
Jack, don't think evil of me. Dom
deny me, after all these years, or m!
heart will break" Words wruni
from q young, high spirited and hand
some woman.
In that appeal, uttered in tones tha
went straight to his heart. he saw por
trayed, her life, unblemished and de
voted to him. He stretched forth hi,
arm and exclaimed, Annie, my dar
ling" In another instant they wer,
folded In each ofher,a amhraca Bar