Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-08-12
CHAPTER XIV.

getting the tea, imagining that the r0-
nance of last nights wreck had ended.
CHAPTER XIV.
For some days after that l saw moth
ing whatever of Madeline. One day,
the seventh from that on which the life
boat had brought her to shore, l made
a minute inspection of the mine, which
every day grew more dangerous, and
came up from my work covered with filth
from head to foot. 1 had passed the last
ladder, and stood at the mouth of the
mine, dazzled by the quick transforma-
ton from pitch darkness to broad day
light, when my ears were struck by the
sound of a voice which passed like sud
den music through my frame. I rubbed
my eyes and looked about me, and there,
not far from where l stood, was my old
sweetheart. She was dressed now in an
elegant costume of gray, which fitted
her to perfection; a little hat with long
plumes was on her head, and her face,
looking lovelier than ever, glowed and
sparkled in the light; with her rich
brown skin and sparkling black eyes,
her erect carriage, graceful tread, she
looked like some Eastern princess! She
was walking toward the spot where
stood; George Redruth was beside her;
while behind followed the black girl,
Anita, her dark eyes fixed upon her mis-
tress. This sudden encounter unnerved
me. Quickly recovering myself, however,
L was about to move away, and so avoid
embarrassment, when the masters voice
arrested me.
"Trelawney," he said; zone moment.
Miss Graham wishes to 90 down the
mine. l tell her it is impossible. What
do you say2 Is it fit for a lady"
Don't worry about it. George" she
said, I've abandoned the idea" Then,
stepping up to me, she held forth her
little gloved hand. l bowed over it, but
did not take it, giving as an excuse that
L was not fit to approach her.
Il daresay you were In quite as forlorn
a condition the other morning when you
snatched me from the wreck" she said
yet you did not hesitate then, when
your own life was in peril. Mr.. Trelaw-
ney, take my hand"
did as she requested, I clasped the
little hand In both of mine and raised
1t respectfully to my lips. In doing so,
caught a glimpse of George Redruth's
face; it was black as the pit mouth.
"Now, my dear Madeline" he said,
impatiently, shall we go back?"
But Madeline was not ready, or per-
haps she was too imperious to be so or
dered by her cousin. She had abandon
ed all intention of descending the mine:
but she was nevertheless anxious to in
spect the outside of it.
But you can CO." she said. "Mr. Ire
lawney will escort me-"
"Nonsense!" returned her cousin. "Tre-
lawney has got his work to attend to.
| will stay"
And he did stay for fully two hours;
at the end of which time she allowed
him to take her away.
Three other days passed without q sign
from her; then | encountered her again,
1t was in the evening, when | was walk
ing home. This time she was alone
except for the servant, who walked at q
respectful distance behind her. She came
up to me unreservedly, and again held
forth her hand.
Il came to walk back with you." she
said. do you mind?'
Il mind" / repeated in amazement.
You forget, Miss Graham, it is an honor
for me to walk beside YOU"
She gave a little impatient toss of her
head, and we walked on together. For
some time not a word was spoken, but |
felt that she was watching me keenly.
Presently she said:
. DO you know what 1 have been doing,
Mr.. Trelawney? / have been trying 10
find in you one trace of the boy | knew,
years ago, at Munster's-and l have
failed"
81 don't understand"
No? Well, / will explain. The boy
| knew was kind to me; frank, open.
hearted, generous. You are somewhat
unfriendly, reserved, harsh, and, If !
may say so, churlish. Why are you SC
oh angedT"
81 am not changed, Miss Graham; or
If l am, it is but with the tide of for.
tune, which has ebbed and not flowed
with me since we met before. When we
were at MINISTER'S I believed we were
equals, but now you are Miss Madeline
Graham; l am overseer Of your cousins
mine"
"Then you wish us to remain as stran'
gersT"
IL think 1t would be better"
"Ahl you are ~crueller than I thought
IL you will not accept my friendship fol
the sake of the old days when we were
boy and girl together, you will, at least
have some pity upon me. I am lonely