Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-08-19
head and shOulder.. and her dear Fac.

head and shoulders, and her dear face
raised wistfully to mine.
Mr.. Trelawney," she said, quietly, SIS
1t true that you have been dismissed from
the mine"
Yes; 1t is quite true, Miss Graham"
oh, why will you not be as you were
just now, and call me Madeline?" she
cried ~passionately. "Why have all those
years come and gone since we were chill
dren, and left us so far apart, Mr.. Ire
lawney! Hugh, let us be children again;
l was your help and solace once, let me
be so to-night!'
She had spoken truly-why should a
few years separate us? Once before
she had offered me her, friendship and
l mad accepted it; why not accept it now ?
took her hand and kissed it.
You shall be the same to me now as
you were them" | answered, you shall
be my friend!'
think she understood me. She made
no reply, but for a moment she turned
her head aside; when she looked at me
again, she was as calm as the moonrays
which lay all about her.
rel me what has happened" she
said, land what you are going to do"
very little has happened" l replied.
i have got the dismissal which / have
all along expected, and l am going
away. You will get your death; let me
take you back"
L drew the shawl closer about her
shoulders, put her hand upon my arm,
and led her away.
Hugh" she said, presently, "you
have not told me the cause of all this
trouble. Why have you and my cousin
disagreed so terribly y
There is nothing" | said, "but what
had best be kept between man and man."
Then you absolutely refuse to make
any concession?"
Il refuse to receive any favor from
George Redrnth."
Il am rich, you knOw-very rich, and
now that you are in trouble l might help
you"
NO. answered, quickly; don't
think of it. 1t is impossible"
L walked with her as far as the en-
trance to the grounds surrounding Red
ruth House, then | left her. Her ewes
were full of tears as she said good-by,
and her little hand chung to mine with
a persistence which well-nigh unnamed
me. l was too much beside myself to
return to the cottage, so for about half
a mile l followed the road which led to
the mine. 1t was late, there was not a
living soul abroad it seemed to me: vet.
as l turned to retrace my steps, came
lace to face with a man who had evil
IDENTIFY been following close upon nv
heels. 1t was Johnson.
Madeline's softening influence was still
upon me. Yet at sight of this evil face
1t seemed to fade, and there arose with
in me all that was worst in my soul. He
paused, blocking my way, and sneer-
ingly addressed me:
Il guess, young man." he said, you'll
get into worse trouble before you're
done. Jest you let the governor see you
as saw you with Miss Graham to-
night"
You scoundrel!" I cried, mention
that lady's name again and by heaven,
III strike you dead where you stand!"
on he sneered, killings your game,
Is it? Repeat that tomorrow before wit
nesses, young man, and your doom is
sealed"
lie passed me by, and walked on to-
ward the mine, while l, glad at heart to
be safely away from him, walked with
some speed toward home. l found nv
aunt alone; | asked for my uncle.
He be gone back to the mine, Hugh"
she returned. But dawn't zee sit I'D for
'un, lad. | d~aresay Jim Rivers'll bring
'un hame."
AS / knew l should have to be ready
to join John Rudd at five o'clock in the
morning, | took my aunt's advice and
went to bed. When | awoke it was still
pitch dark. | struck a light, and found
that it was four o'clock. | therefore got
up and began to prepare for my jour
ney.
L went about my work as quietly as
possible, hoping to disturb no one; but
shortly after | entered the kitchen my
uncle appeared fully dressed for the day.
He looked so white and strange that, for
a moment, | was startled into the belief
that something was the matter. As moth
ing seemed to have transpired, however,
L concluded 1t was sorrow at parting with
me.
How the memory of that white, waS
face came back to me in after days! 1t
was the memory of it, and of the patient,
pitiful eyes, which sealed my lips when
one word might have proved my saliva
ton.
When John Rudd made his appearance
and my aunt came out of the bedroom,
and began crying on my shoulder, l saw
the wan, sad eyes of my uncle still fixed
upon me. AS l left the cottage, l looked
back and found them gazing after me
still.
Ito be continued.)
Answer His Own Prayers.