Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-09-08
CHAPTER XI.-(Continued1


Mr.. Winterbourne said, with a kind of
despair in his voice, sis whether you
are certain that the Master will insist?
why should he? How could it matter to
himf thought we had done everything
when we let him know Why should Yo-
lande know? Why make her miserable
to no end? Look what has been done
to keep this knowledge from her all
through these years; and you can see the
result in the gayety of her heart. Would
she have been like that if she had known
if she had always been thinking of one
who ought to be near her, and perhaps
blaming herself for holding aloof from
her! She would have been quite differ
ent; she would have been old in sadness
by this time; whereas, she has never
known what care was. Mr.. Melville,
you are his friend; you know him bet
ter than any of US; don't you think there
is some chance of reasoning with him
1t seems so hard"
The suffering that this man was under
going was terrible. His question formed
almost a cry of eptreaty; and Jack Mel
vile could scarcely bring himself to an
swer in what he well knew 10 be the
truth.
II cannot deceive you," he said, after
a second. There is no doubt that Les
lies mind Is made up on that point
When | undertook to carry this message,
he more than once repeated his clear
decision"
But why? What end will 1t serve?
How could it ma tier to them-living
away from London? How could they be
harmedT
"Mr. Winterbourne," said the other,
with something of a clear emphasis,
when l reported Leslie's decision to Mr..
Shortlands, as was asked to do, l re-
fused to defend it-or to attack 1t, for
that matter-and l would rather not do
30 now. What l might think right in
the same case-what you might think
right-does not much matter. l told Mr..
Shorthnds that perhaps we did not know
everything that might lead to such de-
cision; Leslie has not been on good terms
with his father and aunt; and he thinks
he is being badly used. There may be
other things do not know"
And how do we know that 1t will
suffice?" the other said. How do we
know that it will satisfy him and his
people? Are we to infict all this pain
and sorrow on the girl; and then wait to
see whether that Is enough?"
1T is not what would do" said Jack
Melville, who had not come here for
nothing.
what would you do then? Can you
suggest anythingY' her father said eag-
erly. "Ah, you little know how we
should value any one who could remove
this thing from us!'
"What would do? Well, will tell
you. l would go to that girl, and |
would see how much of the woman is in
her; l think you will find enough.
would say to her, There is your mother;
that is the condition she has sunk into
through those accursed drugs. Every
means have been tried to save her, with
cut avail-every means save one. 1t is
for you to go to her-you yourself
alone. Who knows what resurrection of
will and purpose may not arise within
her, when it is her own daughter who
stands before her and appeals to her
when it is her own daughter who will be
by her side during the long struggle?
you do it? If know the girl, you will
not have to say more"
The wretched man opposite seemed al
most to recol from him in his dismay.
There was a sort of blank, vague terror
in his face.
"Oh, it is impossible e-impossible" he
cried, at length. at is inhuman. You
have not thought of it sufficiently. My
girl to go through that-have you con-
sidered what you are proposing to sub
ject her tor
II have considered" Jack Melville
said. "And l have thought of it sufii-
ciently, l hope. l would not have dared
to make the suggestion without the most
anxious consideration. l would put the
case before her. and 1 know what her
own answer would be-"
"And to go alone"
"She will not be afraid!'
But why aloneT pleaded the father
he seemed to be imagining all kinds of
things with those haggard eyes. "She
could not. My girl to go away by her.
self-she could not! 1t is too terrible!'
"Try her."
"She has never travelled alone. Why,
even to go to London by herself"
"Oh, but that has nothing to do with
It. That is not what l mean at all. AS
for that, her maid would go with her as
a matter of course and Mr.. Shortlands
might see her as far as London If he is
roing south shortly, as hear. She could
put up at one or other of the hotels that
she has already stayed at with you. Then
you would give her the address, and
leave the rest to her."
"You have been thinking over this, u
Mr.. Winterbourne said. II have not.
am rather bewildered about it. Shall we
ask Shortlands?"
'If you wish. But first let me explain
Mr.. Winterbourne. AS 1 understand
several arrangements have been made
with this poor woman-only, unhappiy
to be broken by her. Well, now, why