Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-06-03

lie CrOSSeu Iuc uiifVW"st
lawn and was about to direct his steps
In the direction of an unusued entrance
TO the villa, when in the shadowy path
he suddenly found himself confronted by
Martha Dunn.
"Oh" exclaimed the faithful serving
woman, recoiling a step, "how you scar
ed mel"
excuse me, Mrs. Dunn; l didn't mean
to-" was the unsteady reply. After what
happened yesterday, you know" he said,
insinuatingly, ~ went away. l wasn't
asked for, was II
Not as l know of. Where did you
go?"
ITO look for a new place."
"Humph! You seem in a dreadful
hurry"
"Well, my job is up here, and I've
got to look out for myself. You don't
seem to believe me-"
you're a fool! And a lunatic into
the bargain" she added, as she saw the
mans face change to a gray, unearthly
pallor, his haggard eyes dilate and his
mouth drop open; after which inexplica-
| BILE performance, he turned with a stified
cry of dismay and fled away from her
into the %shrubbery as though pursued by
ten thousand furies.
Good Martha Dunn might have ceased
to wonder as to the cause of the panic
which had assailed the man had she re-
membered that he had but just returned
to the villa, and had she turned to see
the apparition which Camille had seen
standing at IN uncurtained window-an
| apparition well calculated to put to fight
the remnant of his courage!
But Martha Dunn had something bet
ter to do in life than to study the ~aga-
| ries OF "a man whom she mad Instructive
ly despised from the first moment. that
she set eyes upon him; besides, a car
rage had at that moment driven rapidly
up to the entrance, from which alighted
Philip Burgess in a state Of no slight ex-
element. Step as fast as she would,
Martha did not succeed In reaching the
steps ere DR.. Gresham came forth to
meet the new arrival.
Speak, dOctor!!" cried Claire's father,
in. anguished accents, my daughter-my
child"
Calm yourself, Mr.. Burgess"
Calm myself-after the message you
sent me last night? Oh, tell me, is
Claire deadT"
mo"
Heaven be praised!"
The grateful words were uttered with
touching fervor, as the old gentleman
sank upon a bench and clasped his hands
in fervent thanksgiving. Selling his OBJ
portunity, Gresham turned to MARTHA:
Go and prepare your mistress to see
her father" he said, and Martha quickly
vanished into the house.
Gresham" the old man said when
they were alone, "tell me the worst; what
is likely to happen"
Nothing. l have saved her, but she
has been poisoned"
Poisoned! How?'
by the administration Of arsenic"
by whomT"
Il do not know. Silence! Here comes
your daughter"
1t was true. Upon the threshold Claire
already stood with outstretched hands,
her exquisite, fowerlike face as pallid
AS the snowy gown that flowed about
her. AT sight of her, Philip Burgess
struggled to his feet with a cry. and
Claire tottered into his embrace, and lay
there as weakly as a stricken lily. Nod
ding to Gresham to leave them togeth-
er, the old man murmured, "Claire. darl-
ing child, let us thank heaven that you
are safe! Never again while l live will
l leave you"
MY own dear father!"
oh, let me look at you and hold Won
close, my darling! To think that thev
wanted to kill you! Oh, | know ali.
Gresham has told me. But | am here
now, and l will unearth the villainw
"Father!"
better, l will take you away from
here. We will go at once. Do you fancy
will leave you longer the prey of peo-
pie who hate you? to whom vo,,r life
IS a burden? No, no; we will 20 to-day.
When l have placed you in safety. then
l will undertake to discover the wretch.
to force him to expiate his crime!"
She was trembling pitifully now, and
her great eyes were fixed distractedly
upon his livid face.
But l ought mott do NOT want n
Co. she walled, without the consent Of
my husband"
Your husband!' cried Philip Burgess
with whitening contempt. "your husband
VINO has failed to defend your
On, in heavens name, hush, husbl
Accuse no one. 1t was II alone who
wished to die" ~
he recoiled from her in horror. and
stood looking at her ~incredulously for a
moment ere he painted:
ITO die-you, your
Yes, Claire replied with a fortitudo
born of her unreasoning woman's love
sought death by my own hand. I
uieI TO commit suicide, but they would
not iet me die. Would they had!"
ana you did not think of your mother
ana me, who would have ornirol "a