Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-02-27

the child, who was waxen pale and with
closed eyes.
A sort of paralysis crept over June.
Tom did not move forward to greet her;
his eyes, having met hers as she entered,
returned to their agonlzed watch. She
went mechanically toward him.
What is it," she whispered.
Il knew it from the first he muttered.
u always said so. | knew London would
be the death Of him."
A sense of guilt and despair stole over
june. len minutes ago there had scarce
ly' been a happier woman living than she,
and now terror and misery ingulfed her,
every pleasant thing in life seemed ire
t~rievably gone from her forever.
All night she and Tom watched by the
child's cot. Not satisfied with one opin-
ion, Tom sent for the first physician in
London. He, too, looked grave, but
spoke reassuringly and hoped the boy
might take a favorable turn.
Once during that long and miserable
night June went and put her arms round
her husbands neck and leaned on his
breast with stifed sobs, and he clasped
her kindly, but she felt instinctively that
he was holding her responsible for this
awful calamity.
When she was alone for a moment with
the doctor she asked him in imploring
tones whether London was the cause of
the child's illness, and he answered dis
tinctly in the negative. 1t might have
happened anywhere.
But Jun did not dare even to say this
to Tom; she knew it would be waste of
time and energy to attempt to convince
him, so firmly was his mind fixed on this
one idea, Oh, please God, they should
get the boy over this, and never, never
| again should he set foot in the accursed
| city!
Young Tom got over the crisis, and,
with his father and mother, returned to
the Hall on the fifth day after his at
tack. Though most of the servants were
left behind in Eaton Square it was almost
an understood thing that neither Sir
Thomas nor her ladyship would go back
there. Sir Thomas was perfectly certain
that he would not, and her ladyship did
not feel as though, after the misery of
those few days, she should ever care to
see London again. 1t was only by Mrs.
Ellesmere's persuasion that they decided
not to give up the house and move the
whole establishment back at once to the
Hall.
In a weeks time Tom junior was re-
stored to his usual robust health, and Tom
senior to happiness and his wonted level
spirits. He felt like a prisoner let loose
it was almost worth while to have suf.
fered the discomfort to enjoy this blessed
freedom.
June, her mind being treasured about
her child, began to feel somewhat dull
and to think with a certain regret of tho
pleasant things she had left behind; ant
as for Madge, her eyes were red will
crying, and she wore a woebegone lool
quite unusual to her bright face.
81 know l am very silly and very self
ish,' she said to June one day, but i
has been such IN awful disappointment
to me-"
And with this she burst into tears. Ton
came in at the same moment
"Why, Madgyw he cried, with SINGER
t concern, whats the matter, my dear?
"Poor child" answered June, ''she is S
l disappointed about her visit to London.
The same evening at dinner Sir Thoma
observed to her ladyship:
, "I've been thinking it over, Juny, an
: it seems rather a shame TO %disappoin
Madge, poor little girl. Why should nc
you go back to town with her for a for
night or three weeks? The ervants an
horses are there doing nothing, and W
shall have to pay for the house all tn
:, same. And" looking at her, ''you EMO
- go ,o,nb r,n,,rualf II caan,c a nitu w
should be done out of It."
s 81 do not feel as if l should care for
now" June answered.
4 Tom, however, preached the subject
Madge; implored and entreated so ear
estly that her ladyship yielded. 1t is III
derstood that Tom will not accompan
them, or even go up to London for a si
- gle day, and this in June's eyes deprive
the prospect of any pleasure.
Once there, however, Madge is 80 will
ly pleased and happy that her spirits a
infectious, and June, IL half the gilt
!. stripped from her gingerbread, still ma
= ages to be tolerably happy and amuse
= June and MAdge were particularly fol
of the play. One evening Colonel Alfor
: Mrs. Ellesmere's brother, and Dallas we
= 70 line with them and take them to 8
10 n popular piece.
y, Just before dinner a note came by
=. hanson for Lady Nevil.
>. "Will you excuse me from diningT
said. 81 will join you at the play. / a
m so very sorry, and hope am not putt
you to inconvenience"
- This was from Dallas.
n The piece had begun some time befo
he made his appearance, and June W
~ startled to see how white and unlike hi
90 self he looked.
VI "Are you ill.," she whispered, as he
=. down by her. "Why did you come, II y
don't feel up to it?'
~ 81 am all right" he answered In I
same key. AT least, / hope so. l ha