Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-03-10

day, Vlasha?" he inquiries. ~ have not
set eyes on thee since morning. Surely
thou hast not spent the day at the sta
tion?'
| rouse. For the first time since Ma
ruscha's arrival | remember my patient.
Thou remindest me that l have some
thing to tell thee. 1 have set up an op-
position shop" l laugh. 81 have got
patient. And what is more, l have
promised to go to him tonight. He lies
at Hotel London. Unter den Linden"
| relate the circumstances Of the case.
Poor old gentlemanw exclaims Ma
ruscha, when l have ended. vladimir,
thou must return to him at once. Think
how lonely he must feel in the strange
hotel, and suffering such pain. 1t is thy
bounden duty to go to him now"
''That is thy opinion, MaruschaT 1
respond, fixing on her a look Of scathing
reproach, which she refuses to see. BE
to button my coat across my chest.
Good night, Maruscha; wilksee thee
in the morning, unless-unless my pa
tient should require me-"
A burst of laughter from Rosen breaks
in on the first act of my tragedy.
"What-already, spit6re" he cries.
and jumping up, comes round TO me and
pushes me back to my chair. "Out of
this house thou goest not until my re-
turn, which will be in couple of hours.
As | am obliged to go to my patients,
whatever Maruscha may say, it is thy
'bounden duty to stay and entertain my
my guest"
"But il ne had given his word"
begins Maruscha, demurely.
He will keep it," interposes Rosen.
He has promised to turn up at Hotel
London some time between this and mid
night, and he will do so. Meanwhile,
Vlasha, if thou hast no objection, l will
call in passing, and see how the English
man does. ! can also set his mind at
ease about thee"
l humble something to which he
listens not, taking my affirmative as a
matter of course. and leads the way to
the sitting room, where he places Maru-
scha on the sofa.
i stalk in the rear, feeling my position
to be an undignifed one. still contem-
plate entering a hypocritical protest
against this arrangement of Rosen's.
Surely j may be allowed to manage my
own affairs? l have it on my lips to say,
| that all things considered, think it ad-
visable that l should go, but it is too
late. He is calling to us hearty
adieu, and the door closes behind him.
| am standing some PAGES from Ma
ruscha. She sits looking down at her
fingers, whilst she nervously twists round
! and round the ring l gave her two years
| ago. | regard her silently with growing
wrath, for she raises not her head nor
makes any movement toward me. At
length | speak.
-Maruscha, l can still go if it is thy
wish" A pause. "Since thou wouldst
imply that l neglect duty in remain
ing" Another pause. Il like not such
Implications. even though they are un-
grounded. or course, | left the English
man in good hands, in charge Of the
landlady, who is particularly kind,
motherly person; nevertheless, l will go,
since 1t is thy wish" am by this time
in frenzy Of Indignation. She sits still
! in her place, and the sweet protestations
felt so sure of are not uttered Only
L
aught OF any personal wish in the mat
ter? | would not have thee break an
engagement on my account-that is all"
Thou knowest l pledged myself to
return at particular time. However
it matters not | do thy will. Good
night. Maruscha. Sleep we'll"
20 to her and hold toward her my
hand. She heeds it not, and the corners
Of her rosy mouth 20 down and culver
Now she bursts forth-"How deplorable
is it that | must always suffer to be
misunderstood by thee!'
A tear glistens like diamond in the
corner of her eye.
Nay, Maruscha; thy words are plain
-" | begin.
Yes, twist and misconstrue them. nv
poor words, to ht thy case! l am used
to this"
She speaks with beautiful resigna-
| ton, and her handkerchief goes up. I
am at once overwhelmed with the con-
viction that | am brute. and that Ma
ruscha is the most injured of women
throw myself on my knees beside her.
Forgive me. my long suffering darl-
ing! l indeed misunderstood thee. 1t
is my unfortunate temper to be forever
seeking grievance. And now, misera-
BILE wretch that l am, have made thee
weep on this evening of all others!
Sweet. patient heart, once more forgive
me! All. it is always forgive, forgive
for l am always wounding thee! Look
up again, my dove, and let me read my
pardon in thy tender eyes"
venture to draw her gently to my
breast. She resists not, and l stop nv
pleadings, scarcely drawing my breath
for fear Of disturbing so perfect an ar
rangement My cheek rests on her gold
en- hair. my arms encircle her. I feel the
agitated rise and fall of her bosom. She
heaves a sigh.
Vladimir" she whispers presently !:
and, oh, the wonder of it; her soft arms
steal about my neck; II am deceitful
and wicked"
Thou are an angel" murmuy.
"No, no! i try to torment tbes To