Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-07-29

SAON he lHt ROOu OF II.
THE good of II will depend upon
whether or not you care anything about
me-" she replied. "Just think, Hugh.
if you twol quarrel again. and you are
dismissed, everybody will know why it
all came about-and my mother and
father, too. All, Hugh, dear Hugh, fol
my sake!"
She folded her little hands over my
arm. and looked up into my face like a
supplicating child.
"All right, Annie" l said; don't wor-
~ yourself, little oma l won't do
a thing that will injure you"
For a couple of days or so the master
kept away, and things went on at the
works pretty much the same as usual;
but on the fourth day he strolled down.
He talked a good deal to Johnson, but
never addressed one word to me. He
looked at me, however, and the look he
gave made me wonder what strange in
%1uence Annie possessed when she could
induce him to keep in his employment one
whom he so cordially hated.
One day my aunt, having a little shop
ping to do, determined TO go to Fal-
mouth. She started off in the morning in
John Rudd's wagon, and left my cousin
to keep house.
Now, it had seemed to me that Annie
had looked particularly dull that morn
ing; so, towards afternoon, | determined
10 take an hour and 10 hurry back 10
the cottage to see how she was getting
on. As | drew near to the cottage door,
| was astonished TO heal notes.-the
one loud and angry, the other soft and
pleading. When | entered the kitchen
my amazement increased tenfold.
An elderly lady-none other, indeed,
than old Mrs. Redruth, George Red
ruth's widowed mother-was standing in
the middle of the room, while my cousin
Annie, verying bitterly, was actually on
her knees before her!
Mrs. Redruth had two characteristics,
her confirmed i'll health and her iron
will. Her power in the village was
great: but she was feared, rather than
beloved. She was a tall. thin woman,
with powerful aquiline features and a
face of CHASTITY pallor.
Your tears don't deceive me-" she
was saying. Il am not n man and n
fool. l am a mother, and l know when
danger threatens my child. and l say
that you are doing your best to entangle
my son But take care. George Red
ruth shall not be sacrificed"
"Oh, my lady" sobbed Annie, Twill
you listenf"
mo" she returned, 81 will not! Listen
to you-when every word you utter must
be a lie! l have seen you with my son.
Cease to follow him, or l will Expose you
e. - -, H. .n.-ov
She turned to leave the cottage, and
came face to face with me. She paused
abruptly, opened her lips, as if about to
speak: then she changed her mind, and
without %uttering a word passed out.
As for myself, l had been too much
stupeied to say a word. and | stood
now. like a great bear, looking at my
cousin, who, sobbing piteously, had sunk
into a chair. | went up to her, raised
her and folded her in my arms.
Annie" | said, "Annie, my dear, lei
there be an end to this. Give me the
right to protect you from all this trouble
that has come upon you lately. Become
my wife"
She stared and stared at me like 6
frightened child.
Your wife, Hugh?" she said. 'Youl
wife,"
Yes. Annie" 1 answered. MY wifi
; that is, if you care for me enough, my
t DEAR"
At this she fell to crying afresh, an(
chung to me tenderly.
"Ah, Hugh, dear Hugh" she sobbed
2 "You are the kindest and best man il
all the world, and it is your kindness
which makes you ask me this now. No
p Hugh; be what you have always been
my WI dear brother"
Y l looked into her eyes, and l thought
: read their meaning. Annie did not car,
. for me; her heart was with another man
: and that man far above her.