Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-07-22

from my former position. I soon saw
that johnson was completely in young
Redruth's confidence. Under his advice,
nothing whatever was done to amend the
condition Of affairs in the mine, the fit
tings and machinery of which remained
as dilapidated as ever. On my own re-
sponsibility, however. 1 closed up the
dangerous outer galleries, and forbade
the men, on pain of dismissal. from work
ing the ore in that direction. Although
Johnson heard of this, and doubtless re-
ported it to his superior, neither of them
made any communication to me on the
subject-just then.
l had noticed for several weeks that
some important secret communion was
going on between my uncle and aunt
What it was all about | couldn't guess.
but it was evidently connected in some
way with myself. l often caught them
looking at me, and. when detected, ex-
changing ~glances of infinite meaning. 1
was beginning to think of asking for an
explanation, when accident made me &C.
quainted with the whole mystery.
l had returned home one evening too
late for the ordinary tea, and was sitting
taking mine alone, waited on by Annie,
us L udu ~ luE " lut OmCe AGAIN
that night, and might probably have to
20 down the mine. The meal over. I
got up and wished them all goodnight.
Don't sit up for mel" | said. II shall
be late tonight"
"Where are you going to, Hugh? y ask
ed Annie, carelessly.
Back to the office. I've got to 20
down the mine again, too"
l put my arm around her shoulders
gave her a kiss-at which my aunt and
uncle laughed delightedly.
l had gone only a little way, when I
suddenly remembered that certain &C.
count books which l should need that
night were in my room at the cottage. 1
turned back to get them. When l reach
ed the cottage it was quite dark. l paus-
ed before the kitchen window, which was
open, for the night was sultry, and look
ed In.
My aunt and uncle still sat in much
the same position they had Occupied when
l left them, but Annie was gone. l was
about to put my head in at the window,
and acquaint them with my return, when
l heard the mention of my own name.
Yes" said my aunt, nodding her head,
81 ha' watched 'em, and l know Annie
favors Hugh, If ever any lass favored a
lad"
well, l do hope you'm right, Mar
tha.' my uncle returned. HE be a good
lad. and l shall be glad to call him my
son."
l heard no more-I felt like a man who
had received a knock-down blow, and I
staggered under it a bit. Annie love me?
the old people planning our marriage?
1t was all so new 1t took me a time to
recover. But was it true? Were they
right? Did my cousin really care for
me? l glanced back on all the years
we had been together, and l concluded
that after all it might be possible. But
then of late she had sorely changed. I
had noticed that, and wondered a bit;
now the meaning of it seemed clear. An
ME, my little cousin Annie, whom | had
ever regarded as a sister and a child, had
developed into a woman and was capable
of feeling a woman's love.
l began to analyZe my own feelings,
and to pronounce upon them. My affec-
ton for her was of that strong, deep
nature that l might have mistaken it for
love, il that one all absorbing episode of
my school days had never been. Even
after a lapse of years. the thought Of
Madeline made my blood tingle in my
veins, and my heart beat painfully. OF
all this the old people knew nothing; they
had evidently made up their minds that
Annie and l were exactly suited to one
another, and ought to be man and wife.
Before l had time to think very deeply
on the subject, the kitchen door opened,
and Annie herself appeared on the thresh-
old. She wore a long black cloak. which
she folded tightly around her should
ders; its hood covered her head.
II am going down to the village. I
shan't be long," l heard her say, in an
swer to her mothers question.
(To be continued.)