Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-09-09

uncovered her face and loked at her
mother. Then, drying her tears, and
speaking with %tremulous determination,
she said:
81 know / have been wicked. / know
l should never have gone away. But if
you have suffered, so have l. l never
meant to bring trouble upon you or faith
ser; | loved you both too well for that.
But if you can't forgive me, If your
heart is still bitter against me, l had
better go away. | don't want to be a
trouble or a burden. L have made my
bed, 1 know, and 1 must lie upon it;
and if 1 had not met my cousin Hugh
/ should never have come home"
Tell me the truth, Annie Pendragon,'
said my aunt. "Wha took thee from
home? Was it him as is lying, dead and
murdered, in his grave?'
Annie opened her eyes in wonder. Ny
uncle started, and then, curious to say,
averted his face, but stood listening.
Il have already asked her that ques-
tion," l said; "and she denies it."
saw my uncle start again. He was
still eagerly listening.
mo, mother" said Annie firmly.
NAV? Ye were seen together j. Fail
mouth; all the folk think the overseer
took zee away fro home"
"nhen it is not true"
My uncle turned; his face, which had
been troubled before, now ghastly be-
yOnd measure.
Annie, Annie, my lass!" he cried.
"Dawn't deny it! Speak the truth, and
we'll forgive zee! 1t were Measter John
son-say it were, Annie, say it were!
His voice was pleading and full of en-
treaty. alone of all there, guessed why.
But Annie shook her head sadly, as she
replied:
No, father. Him you speak of was
nothing to me.
My uncle had turned away, like a
man mortally wounded, and. leaning
against the Intel of the window, was
looking wildly out.
"Dawn't speak to mel" he said:
"dawn't, my lass! l can't hear it!'
thought it time to interfere; so, gent
ly taking Annie by the hand, 1 led her to
my aunt, and made them shake hands
and kiss each other. Thus some sort of
reconcilement was established, and pres
emily the two women, mother and daugh-
ter, went upstairs together. Directly we
were alone, my uncle turned and faced
me. l saw that he was still greatly agi-
tated, and fancied that l guessed the
cause.
Hugh, my lad" he said, 81 knaw I
can trust ZEE. Ever sin you was a little
lad. you'm been almost a son to me-"
With the tears standing in nv ewes,
L wrung his hand. l pitied him, with
my whole heart and soul; for indeed
l loved him like a son.
"Hearken, then. Hugh, my lad. Did
you hear what poor Annie said about
hersen and the overseer? Be it truth,
think 'ee?"
Il think so-nay, I am certain"
He drew his hand across his brow.
where the perspiration stood in beaded
drops.
Il think you'm right, lad; I dawn't
think my Annie would lie. But it has
allays been o. my mind, dye see, that
johnson were to blame; and only last
night abed, dreaming like again, I
thought l had my fingers at his throat
y and tried to take un's life! 1
might ha' done it, I might ha' done it."
As he spoke, he raised his voice to a
cry, and a strange mad light, such as 1
had never seen there before. began to
gather in his eyes.
Terrified at his words, I moved to the
kitchen door, and closed it quickly.
Hush! For heavens sake, don't speak
so loud! Some one may hear you!"
He was quiet in a moment. Subdued
and gentle, he let me lead him to a chair.
our eyes met, and though we ex-
changed no word, he saw that I guessed
his secret. and groaning painfully, he
buried his face in his two hands, and
called on God to forgive him for his sins.
(To be continued,