Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-05-20
The Planters Daughter
OR FATE'S REVENGE
By MRS. ALICE P. CARRSTON
Author of "a Wait from Sea- "Her Brightest Hope
"Wayward Wnnefred," etc.
CHAPTER XII.-(Continued.l

4
In the dimness of the shadowy hall
after the outer glare she scarcely no.
tlced the form that loomed before her
until two arms encrcled her and she felt
herself drawn into her fathers embrace.
"Claire, my darling child" exclaimed
the old man fervently; "how happy, how
unutterably happy l am to-day! DR..
Gresham has just left your mother. He
has made thorough examination, and Is
entirely satisfied with her condition. A
great change has taken place in her,
which he assures me will be permanent. "
Claire struggled out Of that fond en-
brace, and stared at her father in amaze
ment.
What 90 you mean?" she faltered
"can 1t be that mothers life was in
dangerT
"We have purposely kept you In ignor-
ance Of the facts" was the smiling re-
ply; 'but now that all danger is past, I
can speak frankly. Yes; we entertained
the gravest fears for your poor mother s
life. Gresham warned me that our mis-
cradle poverty was killing her by inches"
"Killing her!" gasped the girl; "kill-
Ing my mother!
"Yes, my child; and her salvation Is
due to the thought Of your marriage, of
your happiness-tO this respite of peace
and comfort"
Claire turned away with a ghastly pal
lor overspreading her countenance, which
the dim light of the hall served to con-
ceal; and staggering towards the stair
case she supported herself for a moment
upon the newel-post.
"Merciful heavenw she thought, her
brain In dizzy, sickening whirl; my
refusal to marry signifies our return to
the misery of poverty, and that will kill
my mother. Father, If have been Of
advantage to you, do me a favor in re-
turn" She paused an instant for breath,
and then went on swiftly: when Mr..
Courtlandt asks for me, beg him to ex-
cuse me; say that am overcome with
diffidence-anything you choose, so long
as l do not see him until tomorrow.
Father, will you do this for me?'
Certainly. my child" was the sur
prised rejoinder; you shall not be dis
turbed to-day, l promise you. But,
CLAIRE" he added hastily as she seized
the stair rail and sprang up few steps,
claire, there Is something it is our duty
to inform you of to-dayp'
Yes, yes; l known she painted, glanc-
Ing back at his anxious face; you mean
the poor little child whom we have to
recognize. agree to Vt; will receive
him whenever Mr.. Courtlandt sees fit to
bring him to me-"
And as If patience and fortitude had
alike departed, she fled up the staircase
and vanished in her chamber, locking the
door behind her.
No less mystified than relieved, Philip
Burgess gazed after the white robe with
Its tluttering violet ribbons until 1t was
lost to view.
She knows ALI" he muttered; "who
could have told herr"
In spite Of the innumerable questions
with which he was piled concerning
Claire's mysterious disappearance, the
old man was as good as his word, and
insisted upon his daughter being left un-
disturbed.
All that day and until the following
wedding morn-peace
and quiet reigned throughout the Bur
CESS mansion. 1t was not until Martha
Dunn entered her young mistress cham
her at y o'clock that the very shadows
that lurked In the radiant sunlight were
startled by the tidings that she brought
down to Philip Burgess.
Send for the doctor!" cried the faith
full creature; Miss Claire is Ill, very Ill
and looks as If she were dying!
1t was no exaggeration. Poor Claire
had passed night the horrors of which
must ever remain secret with her, so
that when the dawn broke it found her in
great exhaustion.
Gresham. upon his arrival, added fuel
TO the fire of excitement by stating that
Claire might be able to be dressed and
stand long enough to be married In the
house, but he should forbid her making
the exertion of going to church, as she
might expire on the way. To Lucian
Courtlandt, who drove hastily over upon
the receipt of the startling tidings, the
willy doctor said
1t will be just as well, perhaps, for
you to make no public parade of the cere-
many, since / am informed that your
first wife intends TO be present"
Sylphide-here!' gasped Courtlandt.
In dismay.
She is staying at the village inn under
the name of Mrs. Hastings. So +b. soon.
er and more quictly the affair is gotten
over the bctterw
CHAPTER XIII.
Dr. Gresham's advice was followed
IN every particular, and while the lit,la