The Evening statesman. [volume] (Walla Walla, Wash.) 1903-1910, 1905-05-18


lions on end try to break during re-.
cess it might keep them more tracta
BILE. But suppose we go over to tbo
RikshOns now and arrange for your
accommodation"
One week later school commenced On
log benches and desk under the treas
Ryland was there with an inexhausti,
BILE store of hunting and animal storias
to bride the scholars attention and
with vicious horse fastened to one a,
the trees, which was to be common
property out of school hours.
For the first few days Ryland was
thoroughly interested in the povol
work and was there when school omen.
ed and remained until it closed, and nv
the time the novelty began to pail bo
had become even more thoroughly in
terested in the teacher.
Among his letters from England .wo
months or so later was one from tbo
family solicitors, the opening para.
graph of which read: 1T is our painful
duty to inform you of a sad accident
which befell your Cousin Robert and
the barOnet while testing new auto
mobile. Robert was instantly killed
and the baronet somewhat injured He
is already better, thanks to his robust
constitution. This makes you the heir
and the barOnet directs that Won die,
pose of any interests you may have in
America and return home immediate.
ly. Roberts allowance of f3, 900 a wear
will be yours if you reside I'll England
We may add that the Lady Ellen il
staying at the Hail.
Ryland read the letter thoughdully, =,
but, on the whole, with clearing face
Only that morning he had received an
intimatiOn that mortgage would be
fOreclosed on his ranch unless the IN.
terest be paid Immediately. That would
leave him practically penniless. His
natural bent was for quiet and his
books. He doubted if he could make
a living in America or anywhere, for
that matter. The only thing was to
return and accept the $4,000 and Incl
ueutdlly Lazy Ellen.
Once decided, he thrust the rest Of
the letters into his pocket and started
out to say goodby to his friends.
When something disagreeable was in
prospect. the less procrastination the
better.
1t was this that took him straight
to the schoOlhOuse. Miss Collinwood
was more to him than all else in Amer
lea; how much more he had not re-
allied until he decided to leave
She was just closing the door when
he arrived, and something in her eyes
as she greeted him changed his in
tended brief farewell into: Suppose
we stop under the trees little while.
Miss Collinwood. 1t Is so pleasant
here now, and, besides, l have some
thing l want to tell you
under the trees" had been their ia
vorite talking place, and he found 1t
even more difficult to speak the words
of farewell there than he had at the
schoOlhOuse door. Several times be
forced them to his lips. but looking
into her eyes and listening to her
voice he could not give them utter
ance. England and the three thousand
pittance were slipping farther and far
Their away, and America and this girl
beside him were becoming nearer and
more indispensable. She was telling
him Of some Of her ambitions and
hopes, and the indomitable courage
was firing his own veins and making
simple what had before seemed insur-
He had thought this girl
his dearest friend; he now knew that
she was infinitely more, and In this
land or anywhere it would be easy to
make a living for the woman he loved.
Suddenly he reached out and took her
hands in his, strongly, and she did not
resist.
"MIss Collinwood-Elinor," he said
steadily, twill you marry me-?
And she, after q moment OF silence.
but not hesitation, answered quietly.
Eyes"
They talked for half an hour longer,
making plans and discussing hopes;
then he noticed the bulk Of unopened
letters in his pocket. He took them
out one by one and read them, still
talking and making comments on what
thew contained. The last was from
the same solicitor as the first, written
two DAYS later, but mailed In time TO
reach the same boat. 1t read: me
late baronet's injuries, at first thought
slight. developed alarming symptoms
Yesterday. and he died this morning
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