Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-08-26
CHATTER XVII.

nub dCNOhAGAAtus Oh aAiAN lb6 ~ my oNNNA
nation, to find that the offices" con-
sisted only of a couple of grimy rooms
In a side street. | was received by a
dilapidated and somewhat dirty old clerk.
He informed me that the head of the firm
was at hat moment in his room. 1 was
taken to him, and made haste to state
my case.
l soon found that my presence there
was comparatively useless. Like mas
ter, like man, they say, and certainly
George Redruth, in forming a company
TO conduct the mine, had been careful
to select men whose views accorded with
his own; besides, my character had pre-
ceded me; they had been fdrewarned of
my visit, and to all my complaints they
had nothing to say.
Sick at heart, l left the place. What
my next move would be | did not know.
1t was certain l could do nothing for
the Cornish miners; and since they could
not starve, they must be left to trudge on
with that grim skeleton Death forever
by their side!
Pondering thus, l made my way slowly
along the crowded streets, gazing alb
stractedly at the sea of faces surround
ing me. 1t was saturday afternoon, and
the Strand was thronged. The hum of
the busy crowd distracted me. l turn
ed, intending to pass down one of the
side streets, when suddenly L stepped
face to face with a woman who was
coming toward me, and uttered a cry.
1t was NY cousin Annie.
But so changed was she that I scarce
ly knew her. She was dressed as a lady,
and looked like one; but her face was
pale, her eyes looked troubled and sad.
She must have been walking quickly,
for rs | turned to face her she almost
fell into my arms.
The cry | gave attracted her; she look
ed into my face, and knew me. She
paused, uncertain what to do. My sud
den appearance there, of all places on
the earth, was so unexpected that it COM
pletely unnerved her. For a moment
she seemed about to fly; then, conquering
herself, she stood her ground.
Hugh" she exclaimed. You here!'
"Yes!" 1 answered, sternly enough. 81
am here!'
| felt no joy in meeting her. Had she
come to me poor, despised, l should
have taken her in my arms, and said,
you poor, repentant child, come home;"
but when she stood before me in her fine
raiment, my heart hardened; for l
thought of the he~art-broken old people
whom she had left. My appearance
must have been strange, for l began to
attract some attention, when Annie took
me by the arm and led me down the side
street | had intended to take.
"Hugh!' she said, did you come to
London to look for me?'
mo. l came on other business, but |
promised to seek you and take you back"
She was still white MS death and trem-
she shook her head, and her eyes filled
with tears.
81 cannot go home, Hugh; not yet"
she said, sadly.
mot YETI" l repeated. "Will it ever
be better for you than it is now?"
"Yes, Hugh; and soon, l hope, l shall
be able to go and cause them no trouble.
Hugh, dear Hugh! you have never once
taken my hand; you have not looked at
me as you would have done some months
ago You think l have brought trouble
upon you all; but I am a lawful WIFE"
"a lawful wife? Whose wifeT"
"Ah! do not ask me that. l cannot
tell you. But l am a wife; and some day,
very soon, | shall be acknowledged. Hugh,
will you not take my hand, and say that
you forgive me?"
81 have nothing to forgive" / replied.
"You did me no wrong; but you ruined
the happiness of your home, and you
have broken your fathers heart"
"Hugh!"
ut is as well for you to hear 1t, An
ME-" l continued. "When your fight
was discovered your father bore il brave
ly, we thought; but it seems he hid the
worst of his trouble from us, and pinned
In secret. 1t has been like a canker-
worm gnawing at his heart; and now he
is weak and feeble, like a weary, worn
old mani"
ceased, for Annie had turned away
and was crying piteously. l vent to her
and took her hand.
Annie" | said, "tell me the name of
the man who has been the author of all
this trouble, and | will ask no more"
81 cannot tell you, Hugh. Why should
you wish to know2 l tell you | am his
wife"
"lf you are his wife, where is the need
of all this secrecy"
There are reasons why he cannot nc
knowledge me just now; therefore, | have
made a solemn vow never to tell his
name until he gives me permission. Is it
not enough for you to know that | have
not disgraced you, and that ! am hap
py? viii you tell them at home that
you found me well, and that they must
not grieve; because some day soon | shall
come back to them?'
"Where are you living now ?" asked.
"Close by here she replied, quickly,
81 was on my way home when | met
you. Will you come with me, Hugh? |
will show you the rooms"
/ assented; and abe led the way. She
walked quickly, and paused before q
house. Entering with a latchkey, she
passed up a flight Of stairs and entered