Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-10-27
CHAPTER XxI.-(Continued.,


that trickle and tumble down the slopes
of "Tintock Tap"
Il wonder whether we stop at Beat
took Junction." said he.
Il am sure 1 don't. know" she an
swered civilly.
HAS it occurred to you, Shena," said
he, with peculiar sort of smile, that if
any one who knew both of us happened
TO be at one OF those stations, they might
make curious surmise about us?"
Il do not understand you," Miss Stew
art observed.
did you ever hear Of Allison's Bank
Toll-house?" he asked.
mo"
THAT was where they made the Gret.
ma Green marriages-it is Just on this
side the Border. think it is rather a
pity the Gretna Green marriages were
done away with; 1t was an effectual way
of telling your friends to mind their own
business. There was no trouble about
1t. But 1t Is Just about as easy now. if
you don't mind paying for a special IL
cense; and l do believe It Is the best
way. Your friends can get reconciled
to it afterward, II they like; If they
don't like, they can do the other thing.
That was what l was thinking, Shena
If some of our friends were to Sc us
In this carriage, it wouldn't surprise me
II they imagined we were on a venture
of that kind"
Shena blushed deeply, and was asham-
ed OF her embarrassment; and said, with
some touch of anger:
"They could not think of such nom
sense.'
"Shena," said he, eagerly-"Shena,
have you been as far south as this be-
fore?"
"Oh, no." she answered. 81 have nev-
er been further south than Edinburgh
and Glasgow. But Mary Vincent is to
be at the station waiting for me-"
Il did not mean that. Don't you know
that soon you will be at Gretna? Don't
you know you will soon be crossing the
Border? Why, you should be interested
In that! 1t is your first entrance into
England. Shall l tell you the moment
you are in England?
"Oh, yes, if you please" said Miss
Stewart, condescending to look out and
regard the not very picturesque features
of the surrounding scenery
Look! look!' said he, jumping up,
and involuntarily putting his hand on her
arm. Look, Shens! The village is
over there-here is the river, see!-it is
the Sark-and the bridge is down there,
to the left of that house-that house is
an Inn, the last in England on the old
coach road"
She took away her arm.
"Ah," said he, as he sat down, "many
happy couple were glad to find their
great big George the Fourth phaeton
Gathering over the bridge there-the tri-
umph after all the risk"
Then he reflected that In few min
utes' time they would be in Carlisle;
and this made him ratherd desperate;
for when again should he see Shena Van
and Shena Van alone!
Can you imagine yourself living at
that time, Shena; and If were to ask
you to make off for Gretna with me and
get married, what would you sayT
"You-you have no right to ask me
such a question:" said Shena Van, rather
breathlessly.
There would have been no chance of
your saying 'yes'?'' he asked, gently.
II don't know what you mean," said
she, and she was nervousy twisting the
magazine in her hand "I-I think you
are forgetting. You are forgetting who
you are-who l am, and everything that
that once happened-I mean, that moth
Ing happened-for how could 1t? And to
ask such question-even In joke-well,
l think you have no right to ask me
such a question, and the absurdity of it
Is enough answer"
II did not mean 1t as joke at all,
Shena," said he, quite humbly, and yet
trying to catch sight Of her eyes. 81
asked you If you could imagine other
circumstances-other circumstances in
which I might ask you such a question.
Of course, I am very sorry If 1 have Of
tended you
II think that there has been enough
said," said Miss Stewart, quietly, and
indeed with a good deal Of natural dig
nifty.
Just before they were going into Car
Isle station, she said:
Il hope, Mr.. Leslie, you won't misun-
derstand me, but-but Of course Miss
ihSeht anu ner lrleHus Won kuoW VIII
you are, and l would rather they did not
know. There is always silly talk going
on; it begins in amusement, and then
people repeat it and believe it."
Il shall be quite a stranger to you
when we get into the station" said he.
And in the meantime will say good
by to you; and you must tell me that
we part good friends, although you do
seem to care 30 little about those by
gone days, Shena."
"Good-by," said she, holding out her
hand. "And perhaps care for them as
much as l ought; but one acquires a lit
tie common sense as one grows up. l
hope you will have a pleasant trip, Mr..
Leslie"
AT the station he got out first and as
sisted her to alight; then he got porter