Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-04-03
CHAPTER XIV.

Lady Nevll had Deen III Lonuon threc
weeks; the season was in full swing. She
had presented Madge to her sovereign,
and Madge was in high spirits and enjoy
ing her gayeties immensely. June had
been home once, and Sir Thomas had
spent two nights in London, on the occa-
sion of his wife's giving dinner party at
which it was thought desirable he should
preside as host
The season advanced, and rumors be-
gan to fly about Of an expedition to Egypt
Ia which the Guards were TO take part.
At first the idea was ridiculed, but grad
ually it came to be entertained more Sc
riously, and then to be recognized as
fact. Dallas battalion was for service,
and as soon as this was known to the
ladies in Grosvenor street it had most
.dampening effect upon their spirits.
Madge it is true, affected to share the
enthusiasm of Dallas; and talked gayly
of the distinctions he would earn-the pos
,sbility of medals and Victoria crosses.
Mrs. Ellesmere was seriously depressed
at the thought of the hardship and dan
ger her favorite nephew might incur, and
as for June, each time she realized it, q
knot rose in her throat and a mist came
before her eyes, and she felt as if life had
suddenly become blank. She would look
furtively at him as he was laughing and
talking in the gayest Of spirits, and then
her vivid imagination would see him lying
dead, with livid, upturned face on bat
tlefeld, or worn and wasted by fever in
some wretched hospital.
Late one July afternoon June and Mrs.
Elesmere left the carriage at the top of
khn tAA aha,r tran
Dallas was to join them there. Madge
was spending the afternoon with friend.
Mr.. Carslake passed, then stopped, turn
ed and asked permission to sit down by
Lady Nevil. Presently friend of Mrs.
Ellesmere Joined her, and the first pair
were left to each other. Naturally
enough, the conversation turned on the
coming campaign, and June, who was al
ways trying to get comfort ON the sub
ject, asked Mr.. Carslake his opinion of
the chances Of fighting.
June tried to draw consolation from Mr..
'Carslake. He did not think it would be
a very serious affair; he was not impress
ed with belief in the fighting qualities
of the Egyptians; change of masters
would make very little difference to them;
they would still be oppressed under any
rule. The climate was the worst part
of it, though the Bedouins and the Nile
might seriously impede our operations.
Then Mr. Carslake, not looking at Lady
Nevil, but trying to make his voice in.
different, said:
II suppose Miss Ellesmere feels Broke's
going very much?"
In moment his meaning dawned or
June, and she saw that a golden oppor
tunity was before her.
81 do not think so," she answered "Not
nearly so much as my aunt-and l. She
only thinks of the brilliant side of war
and not of-of the danger"
'She will feel it more when he is gone
no doubt" said Mr.. Carslake, tracing 6
pattern in the gravel with his stick.
Il do not know" replied June. "Peo
pie never think anything is likely to hap
pen to their friends unless it is a matter
of yitally absorbing interest to them"
But thought such was the case"
Certainly not" exclaimed Lady Nevil
with great animation. "There is nothing
of any sort or kind between Madge ant
Mr.. Broke, except the most ordinar!
friendship"
"Oh!' and Mr.. Carslake looked up a
her. Il was told that If not actually en-
gagged they were next door to it."
June felt that her opportunity had come
What do not people say?" she remark
ed. DO you believe every report yo'
hearY'
Only when it is borne out by appear
ances."
You are quite mistaken" said Lad
Nevil. "Madge has never been in low
but once in her life, and then so seriousl
that / think it will quite prevent he
ever caring much for anyone else"
Tell me frankly" said Mr.. Carslakc
"are You speaking of me? l should no
venture to ask, unless"
Yes, l am," replied June, with equa
frankness.
"And--and do you really believe she
not indifferent to me?'
Il am quite sure that you are the onl
man for whom she has ever cared ser
ously."
TO Mr.. Carslake's infinite chagrin, Do
las came up at this moment. But Jun
felt that enough had been said, and tina
Madges future, at all events, was saf'
Dallas saw June and Madge off by tn
train next day; he took cordial leave Q
the latter, and she wished him gay fare
well, and bade him bring her back tn
scalps Of numerous Egyptians and retur
covered with glory.
Il shall see you again." he said to Jun
~ the train was starting, keeping a lon
bold Of her hand and for once not a
tempting to prevent his eyes from be'ra!
Ing to her all he felt. AS for June, sh
was deathly pale; her lips were Quive