Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-04-29
"And although I am unable to do so to-


in astonishment, Philip Burgess advanc-
ed
"You are fulfilling a noble mission,
madam" he said, with naughty prompt
ness, "and we regret that we are unable
to contribute to it as literally as we
might have in the past"
"Contributew cried Sylphide, recoiling
a step.
You must see that our circumstances
are somewhat cramped," continued the
gentleman, without needing her amaze
ment; 'yet you must permgit us to con-
| tribute our mite to your collection" and
as he spoke he drew from his pocket a
one dollar bill, the last cent he possessed
in the world, and with courteous bow,
placed it in the silken bag.
A crimson flush dyed Sylphide Coura-
mont's beautiful face to the very roots
of her black hair.
II thank you, SIR" she stammered,
family; and turning abruptly, she left
the room.
She was completely dumbfounded,
sitting with modification, and not until
she reached the landing was she able to
regain her breath.
The figure of a man came lightly up
the stairs and confronted her, and, too
late to conceal her identity, she found
herself face to face with DR.. Gresham.
"You-here" he exclaimed, starting
back in surprise
Silence" she breathed, passionately;
81 never witnessed such pride and mis-
cry! But the girl is dying-you may
safely marry her to my-to Lucianw
While this brief but significant inter-
view was taking place upon the stairs
beyond the closed door a scene of hys-
! terical relief was being enacted. The
moment their routed benefactress had
disappeared, Philip Burgess exclaimed,
proudly:
"You see! l am not such a spendthrift
after all. 1 have kept dollar by me,
and though it was the last, it has saved
us from a great humiliationw
Throwing her arms about his neck,
Claire cried, with a sob in her voice:
1T was your noble heart, dear father,
that has saved us.'
Go to your rooms, both Of youw ex-
claimed Mr.. Burgess; "she may return,
and if so, She shall not depart until she
has satisfied my suspicionsw
Scarcely had Claire and her mother
vanished when the door opened to admit
DIR. Gresham. With an exclamation of
surprise and pleasure, Philip Burgess
turned to the scarcely closed door.
Where are you going?" demanded
Gresham, abruptly.
."To call the ladies back" replied Mr..
Burgess; "they have just left me-"
DO nothing of the kind! 1t is you
whom wish to see first of all, upon a
matter of the utmost importance-to
your daughter. l have already informed
you that l fear that all that can be done
Tor Claire is to render her declining days
comfortable. Stay! hear ME out. She
requires other quarters than this mis-
cradle tenement; she needs luxuries. at
tentlon, carriage. l will place them
at your disposal, and you have only to
accept them"
What do you mean? What must I
do! Command me!'
DO you recall friend of former days
of the name of Russell Courtlandt?"
Certainly do; he died some six years
since"
Leaving widow and one son. For
while their property was deprecated, but
recently it has come into value, and LII
clan Courtlandt is one of the wealthiest
young men in the city,"
well, well-go on" urged Burgess.
eagerly. e''''
Unfortunately, Lucian became fasci.
mated by young woman in the Soutb
ana hastily married her. 1t now trans
pred that his supposed wife is the dauph-
ter OF slave, is no wife at all. Conse-
quently he has come to his senses. and
is looking for wife in his own station
IN lie. lie has commissioned me TO osl,
the hand of your daughter in marriage
1t Is also understood that unless he hears
from me within an hour he will present
himself here during the morning, and
tne wedding can be arranged to take
place within n fortnight"
Philip Burgess rose like one rous;nu
from dazed dream.
Are you mad, or making snort of
me ne muttered. you cannot have
lorsotten that even in my abasement I
am still a gentleman! Do you speak the
truth! Why does he demand the hand
OF dying woman?"
Because he has son who cannot
pear his name, since its mother is n
slave" 10
II understand" retorted Burgess. with
wlrherlng sarcasm; since the present
Mrs Courtlandt has the prospect of be.
ing freed some day from slavery. her
husband does not wish to be too LONG
hampered with second wife, and he has
commissioned you to select wife for
MN from among your most hopeless m.
tients, and you have chosen us bacorsa
we are dying of hunger. Well, nv dear
SIR so to Mr.. Courtlandt and tell him
mat l am his servant, but that though
my poor child may be lost to me sba
is not to be sold" '"'
My good friend" said the doctor
calmly, 81 do nnt do,L. =