Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1903-08-07

s THE OTHER MANS HOUSE s


have the key to it,"
She laughed: but he came forward
with an exclamation of dismay.
"Bess, did you tear up that sun
bonnetT He snatched the pink tat
ters from the table.
"Yes, and l burned up the collec-
ton of dried flowers in the old Gather
pocketbook you used to carry; also the
butt of the riding whip 1 threw away
two years ago on Pine Ridge and have
never seen since-until tonight. had
begun on the letters-" she went
! on with growing scorn; but he inter-
rupted.
"Bess, what right had you to do
that?"
ITO save father the trouble of car
ing for them any longer"
"He has nothing to do with it. These
things are miner
Her eyes narrowed as she looked at
him.. Considering the fact that this
rubbish was sent here to our house
" she began, Nippantly; then,
where's father?" she burst out.
Hafdwick walked over and kicked
the andirons. Then he came back
again.
Ibid your father know you were
coming?"
"No. 1 wanted to surprise him."
You haven't had any news from
here lately, have youT
"No-o. Why, Hardwick-" She
was beginning to be frightened.
"Then why have you cQmeT
81 came to be with father. His let
ters have been so queer. And when
ever l asked to come back, he said
no, for me to stay and enjoy myself
as though l could have good time
any place so well as at home with
father" Bess dabbed her eyes fierce
ly. $50 l came on without asking
leave; and then found that you had
sent all my letters back, just because
" Here Bess suddenly collapsed
and, sitting down, dropped her head
on the desk. 81 wish you would go
away; you've spoiled my whole home
coming"
"Bess" His voice was startingly
near. He must be bending close above
her. "Why did you refuse to marry
me"
"I-I wouldn't have done it If you
hadn't asked me-"
An interval of bewildered silence.
! | tc,,pnncino 7 tn c
l. again?" he ventured
but you sent back my letters and q
lot of other things l didn't even know
; you had" came an injured voice from
among the notepaper confusion Of the
desk.
81 sent none of those things back
but l can't explain until we are en-
gagged"
She looked at the floor. p.
Hardwick waited then he pulled out
| his watch and handkerchief. "Pll give
! you one minute MORE" he said, delib-
erately. "If by that time you haven't
said you will, shall consider it done
/ Bess wheeled around and stared al
t the watch with fascinated eyes.
"Half minute gone," he said.
"I-I-oh, I-Hardwick, put up that
watchv' she ordered desperately.
= "All right. Now I'm going to dry
| your eyes oh, that's orthodox; en-
4 gagged people always do-and you are
t not to be frightened at what am 60
ing to say. You see, there really is nc
cause for worry it's going to turn out
| all right. Why, in three years he'll
t pull out as good as new! But last
/ spring. what with stocks going down
and the mines, things looked pretty
, black. He's been up at the mines fol
t the last six months-and, Bess, the
house had to CO."
5 "The house? This houseT'
3 "Yes, your father had to sell 1t. Yor
l see, there was a mortgage on 1t, ant
[ enormous Interest,""
| "Oh, Hard"
"But bought 1t in"
"Oh-hw
Because we couldn't have stranger
| living in the old home, could we, Bess
And now"
r mo" Bess shook herself free ant
j pressed her hands to her cheeks. ..Yol
mean we're poor-Im poor!'
Poor? Owning mel"
y Don't laugh. / can't be engaged {,
you now"
s But you are" he laughed.
"But l refused you when / though
| was rich-"