Western liberal. (Lordsburg, N.M.) 1887-1919, 1905-06-09

t&aa ~ MAkAt hNNE hGm mNAt hNNAA
bic. But suppose We so over to the
Rlkshons now and arrange for your
accommodation"
One week later school commenced on
log benches aud a desk under the trees.
Ryland was there with an inexhausti-
Bile store OF hunting aud animal stories
to bride the scholars attention and
with a Vicious horse fastened TO one OF
the trees, which was to be common
property out Of school hours.
Tor the ntst few days I.ylgnd was
thoroughly Interested In the novel
work aud was there Whcn school open
ed end remained until II closed. and by
the time the novelty Logan to pull he
had become even more thoroughly in
terested in the teRcher.
Among his letters from England two
months or so later was one from the
family solicitors, the opening para
graph OF which read: 1T Is our painful
duty 10 Inform you OF a sad accident
which befe,l your Cousin Robert and
the baronet while testing a new auto
mobile. Robert was Instantly killed
and the baronet somewhat injured. He
Is already better. thanks to his robust
constitution. This makes you tho heir.
and the bnronet directs that you dis
pose OF any interests you may have In
America and return home Immediate
~. Roberts allowance OF $4,000 n year
will be yours IL you reside in England.
We may add that the Lady Ellen Is
staying at the Hall"
Ryland read the letter thoughtfully,
but, on the whole, with clearing face.
Only that morning he had received an
intimatiOn that a mortgage would be
foreclosed on his ranch unless the In
tercst be paid Immediately. That would
leave him practically painless. His
natural bent was for quiet und his
books. He doubted II he could make
a living In America or anywhere, for
that matter. The only thing was to
return and accept the 5000 and Incl
dentally Lady Ellen.
Once decided, he thrust the rest Of
tho letters into lila pocket aud started
out to say goodby to his friends.
When something disagreeable was in
prospect. the less procrastlnation the
better.
II was this that took him straight
to the sehoolhouse. 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 III
tended brief farewell into: Suppose
VIC stop under the trees II little while.
Miss Collinwood. 1t is so pleasant
here now and, besides, I have some
thing l want TO tell you"
Under the trees" had been their ia
vorite talking place. and he found II
even more dLfhcult to speak the words
OF farewell there than he had at the
schoolhouse door. Several times he
forced them to his lips. but looking
into her eyes and listening to her
voice he could not give them utter.
anee. 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 indomltAble courage
was firing his own veins and making
simple what had before seemed insur-
mOuntable. He had thought this girl
his dearest friend; be now knew that
she was infinitely more, and in this
land or anywhere It would be easy to
make n living for the uni he loved.
| Suddenly he reached out and took her
hands IN his. strongly, and she did not
resist.
miss Colllnwood-Elinor." he said
steadily, will you marry meT"
And she, after a moment OF silence,
but not hesitation. answered quietly.
Eyes"
They talked for half IN 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
they contained. The last was from
the same solicitor as the hrst. written
two days later. but mailed in time to
reach the same boat. 1t read; 1.-THE
late barOnet's injuries. at first thought
slight, developed alarming symptoms
yesterday, and he died this morning,
You succeed &c the title. Please come
at once"