Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1904-04-29
CHAPTER X.-(Continued.)

movement a thorough lady. Her plain,
cheap attire could not conceal the fact
that she had not only seen better days.
but had kept that memory alive in her
heart, which is more than many, who
are forced to descend the ladder, are
wise enough to do.
With wan smile that spoke of ply
steal weakness and repressed anxiety,
Mrs. Burgess crossed the kitchen to Mar
tina and placed the basket in the hands
of her faithful domestic.
How is Miss Claire?" asked the
woman, eagerly.
she seemd to be asleep when looked
in upon her a moment ago." replied the
lady.
ASLEEP at this hour!" exclaimed Mar
tina. Then she must have been up writ
ing again last night"
Il fear So" rejoined Mrs. Burgess,
sinking wearily into chair beside the
table; "oh, Martha, Martha, what can
this journal contain that she keeps SO
mysteriously to herself? / must know"
so you shall some day, be sure" then
to turn her thoughts into another chan
nelfi Martha added, "but what does this
basket containP'
"A few trifes for my husbands break
fast. Open it and see"
The good woman removed the lid of
the basket and started back in amaze
ment.
oh, what extravaganza, ma amp she
cried; "however could you afford itY
Don't scold me, Martha" answered
Mrs. Burgess, with a wan smile; sit is so
long since my poor husbanud has had
respectable repast. Men cannot bear
privation as we women can. Besides,
l wished to surprise him; it is his birth
day."
In burst of generous enthusiasm,
Martha caught her mistress hand, and
was about to press it fervently to her lips
when she suddenly recoiled a step as she
exclaimed:
Your ring, Mistress! Where is it?
The one with the pearl!-your engage
ment ring! Have you sold it?" whis-
pered Martha, with dismay depicted up
on every feature.
No, it is only-only pawned."
Yes, as are your jewels, your silver,
your laces, everything-even to the mat
tress off your bed! Oh, that miserable
pawnbroker-"
&NAit TIE lazy,
speak no i'll of him, for he is the only
friend from whom one can borrow with
out blush"
And for whom?" cried Martha, for
getting her position in her indignation;
Tor one who never asks what it has cost
you to raise the money, so long as he has
it to waste!'
In an instant Mrs. Burgess was upon
her feet, dignity breathing in every at
titude
"Martha!' she exclaimed, warningly.
II beg your pardon, Mistress" the
woman returned submissively; "Mr. Bur-
CESS has been good master to me. and
you know that | would die for him. but
1t makes me angry to see you so anxious.
while he remains calm ana Indifferent
1t is you, Mistress, who bears all the
burden. Why does not Mr.. Burgess bor-
row of his friends?"
Because of sense of pride, Martha,
which you cannot understand"
Mrs burgess laid her hand gently.
caressangly upon the arm of her faithful
friend, and with tears in her eyes. turn
ed abruptly and left the kitchen. As
she entered the little dining room, where
n snow-white cloth covered the table
which awaited such repast as Chance
might offer, Mrs Burgess found her hus-
band standing by the window, gazing alb
stractedly down into the sunlit street.
Philip Burgess was still a handsome
man, though many years the senior of his
wife, and long past the prime of life. He
was dressed with that scrupulous care
that bespeaks the gentleman, and there
was none of the haggard anxiety In his
CHEEKY face that had prematurely aged
MS wite. AS she entered he turned. and
coming to her, took her hands in his,
Your eyes are red" he exclaimed.
And you are paler than usual. When
was DIR. Gresham here last?"
eSteday, and he agrees with me,
that II Is not so much positive illness
as some secret grief that is preying upon
Claire's mind"
"A secret grief!' rejoined the gentle.
man: our poverty, perhaps"
No; Claire is too noble, too pnud for
that; II is not for our lost fortune that
she weeps; deeper grief weighs upop
her heart. Our poor child is most nm.
fortunate, since she is In love, and loves
in vain" N'
ihllip Burgess started in amazement
nave OWNED her secret. should
have respected 1t, had not seen that
the hopeless tears she she'd were short.
ening the few days that remain to her in
this world. She consecrates almost ev.
cry night to writing, and seems to take a
little comfort in inscribing her thoughts
hopes and fears. l have been able TO
gain possession of one or two pages Of
ehis mysterious manuscript, written with
trembling hand, and blotted with tears,
mus l have discovered" continued tbe
,ady' that Claire loves, but loves in