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

II is not acting, though a good deal Of
u 10 temper; she would never bring in
that sacred name for the sake Of getting
her W way. But the effect Is magical
on Tom; remorse stirs his heart; he re-
calls all the tender injunctions Of that
dead mother about her darling, and his
will Is broken like a reed Mt the remem-
brance. 1t is true he is all she has; he
is her defender, her support, her shield
against trouble and sorrow; it is not for
him to thwart and grieve her. She is
dearer than ever, though her lovers first
passion may have worn off; she shall be
happy, cost what it may!
He kneels beside her, he pours out every
endearing word he knows upon her, he
covers her hair, her throat-7or her face
Is averted from him-with kisses, he prom
ises her that he will go and fetch little
Tom tomorrow, and in due course June,
half-triumphantly, but secretly a good
deal ashamed of herself, is lying with her
head on Toms breast, his arms about her,
and all his kind, honest heart bent on
restoring her to peace Of mind and happi-
ness.
In the morning, when her maid brought
her tea and letters, she eagerly opened
the one from her lord. Having finished
It, she laid it down, and a cold chill came
over her. She stared blankly into space
for a minute or two, then took it up and
re-read:
Darling Wifey.-I got down here all
right, and found the boy all right except
a little bit flushed, and" there two letters
ao.,1p 1oa;DlnyAI 20 hn bApy xxynrn
scratched OUT 1--WE thought he might
have another tooth coming, but, anyhow,
we thought it better to wait a day and
see. Don't be frightened, darling; he is
in capital spirits, ana l hope TO bring him
up tomorrow, though I do hate the idea
Of London for him. l hope the dinner
will go off all right. or course you will
say and do the right thing about me,
and dare say as long as they get you
they'll be very happy to dispense with my
company. You can't think how heavenly
it is down here after London. I've got
on an old shooting-coat, and l feel as
happy as a king; ut least 1 should, darling
IL l had you here.
II had to break off here to see Jones
and he tells me there are. two or three
things l ought to see to tomorrow
Should you mind if we don't come up til
Friday?-it will give the boy anothe'
days respite, and you car go about ant
see your friends and amuse yourself 70.
that little time longer, can't YOU, deares
WHEY?
always your most loving and devote'
husband, r. n"
When she had read that affectionate !
not well-expressed epistle, all pleasure an
happiness took fight from June's heart
She was nothing to Tom; he could dis
pense perfectly with her society, as lon,
as he had the baby, and the country, an
his old shooting coat, and-with a ferc
spasm-Agnes.
June glanced at the clock; the hand
were just on the hour of nine-impossibl
to catch the ten train; but there was al
other at eleven, which stopped Mt a static
six miles from the Hall. She rang tn
bell, sent for a form and wrote a tele
gram desiring that a carriage might mee
her at l., dispatched a line to he
mother-in-law, and, with a mixture q
triumph, defiance and anger In her breas
set out IN her journey to bring back tn
truant.