Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-07-01

paced to and fro like a criminal awaiting
his sentence. 1 could not bear the sight
of the other boys, but kept to the secret
places, moody and distracted.
Quite late in the evening l wandered
into the garden-a favorite resort of
ours. The sun had sunk, but his slowly
fading light was still tinting the quiet
place, and the shadows of trees and
bushes were still distinct upon the
Pround.
L had not been here long when l heard
the foot l knew, and turning, l beheld
my little friend Fastening toward me.
She was pale, but otherwise composed,
and said at once,
Have you heard that 1 am going
away! l have just got a letter from my
father. L am to go back home immedi-
ately. See"
So saying, she placed in my hand the
small Enclosure which she had received
from Munster in the morning. l remem-
Der every word of it now. 1t was writ
ten in a large, bold hand, and ran as
follows:
MY Own Darling Little Madeline:
You will hear from the good people
with whom you are living that you must
come home at once. Wish a kind good
bye to all your friends in England; per-
haps you may never see them again.
Come without delay to your loving faith
er. RODERICK GRAHAM"
Prepared as 1 had been for the blow,
it did not fall so heavily as it might
have done. l struggled with my feelings,
and choked down a violent tendency to
cry. She perceived my CONSERVATION,
and was herself moved. But there was a
quick, strange light in her eyes, as if she
were contemplating something far away.
Il have prayed many a night that my
father would send for me-" she said,
thoughtfully; "and now he has done so,
scarcely feel glad. Shall you be sorry,
Hugh, when l gof'
At this open question l broke down
utterly, and burst into a violent sob. She
put her hands in mine, and looked earn
estly into my face.
81 thought you would be sorry. None
of them will miss me so much as you.
We have been great friends; 1 never
thought 1 could be such friends with a
boy. l shall tell my father of you, and
he will like you, too. Will you kiss me,
Hugh, and say goodrbye?
l could not answer for tears; but 1
put my arm round her neck, and 1 did
kiss her-a pure, true, loving boys kiss,
worth a million of the kisses men buy
or steal in the broad world. My tears
moistened her cheek as l did so, but she
did not cry herself.
She was altogether calm and superior,
bowling down to my boyhood, compass
sionating and cherishing me. She was
nearer ~womanhood than l to manhood;
and she took my worship in gentle state.
A queen, kissed by loyal subject, could
not offer her cheek more royalty than
little Madeline offered her cheek to me.
'There is a ship to sail in two days."
she said, land l must go away to Liver
pool tomorrow, early in the morning"
=
As l write, recollection darkens, the
sun, sinks behind the little garden; the
little shape fades away, and it is dark
night. l have been in a very disturbed
sleep, and ann awakened by a harsh
sound in the distance. 1t is the sound
of carriage wheels.
I hear the hum of voices in the house
below. l creep to the window, and look
out. A travelling carriage stands at the
door, and a sleepy-eyed coachman yawns
on the box.
From the house porch comes Mrs.
Munster, and by her side the little figure
that l love.
The proud spirit is broken this morn
ing, and the little eyes look soft and
wet. Madeline clings to her protectress,
and mods adieu to. the servants. The
coachman cracks his whip, the horses
break into a trot, the little one leans out,
and waves her handkerchief until the
carriage rounds the corner and is hid
from view.
Madeline! Little Madeline!
l have fallen upon my knees by my
bedside, and am passionately kissing
the lock of hair I begged from her last
night. My heart seems breaking. All
the world has grown dark for me In q
moment.
(To be ~continued.)