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

ldullS lHey udu Idueu, anu during Ine
years Of our separation l had passed
my time with tolerable tranquility; but
now that she had been so m~iraculously
restored to me, the old fire was rekin-
died in my soul, and became another
man. Her very presence in the house
that night drove away all thoughts of
sleep.
All that day, overcome by the fatigue
through which she had passed, Madeline
remained In her chamber; while l, utter
ly unable to work, hung like a restless
spirit about the house. The next morn
ing she awoke refreshed; and when we
three sat at breakfast, she astonished us
all by appearing amongst us, fully dress
ed. and looking bright and well.
As all her own clothes had been lost
In the wreck, she wore a dress of my
aunt; over it she had thrown the cloak
which she had worn on the wreck. She
came forward ~languidly, leaning on the
shoulder of her black attendant, and sank
down into the chair which my uncle had
placed for her, while the native began
crying and kissing her hands. They spoke
together in the foreign tongue; then Mad
cline raised her eyes and looked quietly
around. Her glance swept the room and
finally rested with a look of recognition
on my face. | felt the hot blood noun
to my temples.
Am | mistaken" she asked, softly;
did you take me from the wreck? 2"
| bowed my head. In a moment all
her languor disappeared, the old fire
darted from her eyes, the lod flush suf-
fuaaI hap ohaolo -gho uroz A. AIoluI.,o
of my childhood once more. She looked
at her hands, with one quick movement
pulled off the most valuable of her rings,
and held it toward me.
will you not take it?' she said, with
a bright smile. 'YOu saved my life"
Her whole manner was that of a lady
speaking to an inferior. Under my ex-
element l hardly noticed it. Scarcely
knowing what l did, / sprang forward
and took the ring; then, eagerly kissing
her hand, I placed 1t again upon her fin
ger.
Madeline" I said, don't you know
me? Madeline-Miss Grahamp'
She looked at me more critically and
shook her head.
Have you forgotten Munster'sT" 1
said. land Hugh TrelawneyT"
If | expected a wild outburst of pleas
ure at the mention of my own name, 1
was quickly disappointed. She only
smiled; and, with her eyes fixed upon
vacancy as If she was reviewing the past,
said:
MINISTERS? Hugh Trelawney? Oh,
yes; of course l remember now! Hugh
fNralo uypau woa tho ,loo.l e 49, A.
ster boys, and we were friends; but"
she added, fixing her eyes anxiously up
on me, surely you are not that boy? ?"
Yes l replied, 81 am Hugh Ire
lawney!"
Her eyes opened wider, she glanced
from me to my uncle and aunt, then
round the kitchen, then she was silent.
L felt that some explanation was due
to her, and gave 1t. l told her of my
fathers death-Of the kindness of my un-
Gle and aunt, and Of my subsequent life
at st. Gurlott's.
"St. Gurlott's 2" she said. els this ST.
Gurlott's, in Cornwall? l have an aunt
living in a place of that name. Perhaps
you may know her; her name Is Mrs.
Redruth."
"Wha, that be our masters mother!"
broke in my aunt. But l added:
Are You sure it's the same, Miss Ora
ham? This Mrs. Redruth has a son who
owns the mine"
Yes, | know-my cousin George!" she
answered; while my heart misgave me
at the familiar manner in which she men
toned the name. 'Oh, 1t must be the
same" she continued, enthusiastically
land to think should be shipwrecked
here, of all places in the world! Mr.. Ire
lawney, are they far away? Would it
be possible to let them know that l am
here? Perhaps IL you tell her the story
and show her this" she continued, draw
ing a quaint signet ring from her finger,
my aunt will come to me. This was my
dear fathers ring, and she knew it well,
for he always wore it-and he had it on
even when he died."
l started off on my mission. The
events of the last few hours had made
me a changed being. / began to wonder
If 1t was all real. 1t was clear to me
now that she thought little of the past.
While | had been living upon the memory
of those dear days, she had let other
events obliterate it entirely from her
mind. Well, 1t was clear | must do the
same. | must deliver her up to the Gus.
tody of her relations as coldly as if she
were a stranger who had casually been
cast in my path for a day.
Having made my decision, l became
calmer, and walked with a steady step
up to Redruth House. l inquired for
the young master; learned that he had
left for London two days before. l ask
ed for the mistress, and she saw me. She
listened to my story quietly enough
when | showed her the ring, her white
face flushed, her hand trembled, and her
eye filled with tears.
1T is my brothers., my poor broth
cr's.' she said, more to herself than to
me; then she added: my niece is at your
cottage, you sayW
Yes, madame"
Tell her | will come to her at once"
L left the house and, instead of return.