Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-09-29

heart; for the face that was turned Ia
her-that regarded her with mild sur.
priss-that Il was emaciated and pallid,
was not unlovable; and the eyes were
large and strange and melancholy. This
poor lady rose, and with gentle cour.
tesy regarded her visitor, and said:
Il beg your pardon; l did not hear
you come into the room"
What strange voice-hollow and dis
tant; and it was clear that she was look
ing at this newcomer only with a vague
half-pleased curiosity, not with any nat.
ural wonder at such an intrusion. Yo-
lande could not speak. She forgot all
that she had meant to say. Her heart
seemed to be choking her.
Mother" she managed to say at
length, you do not know, then, that
am your daughter"
My Yolande," she saiA and she re.
treated a step as If in fear. you are
my Yolande
She regarded her apparently with some
strange kind Of dread-as if she were IN
apparition. There was no wonder, or
JOY, or sudden impulse of affection.
"1ou-you cannot be my Yolande-
my daughterf"
But indeed I am, mother" said the
girl, with the tears running down her
face In spite of herself. "Ah, 1t Is cruel
that l should come to you as a stranger
that you should have no word of kind.
ness for me- But no matter. We shall
soon make up for all these years. Moth.
er, l have come to take you away. You
must no longer be here alone. You will
come with me, will you notT
The pale, emaciated, hollow-v voiced
woman came nearer now, and took Yo-
lande's hand, and regarded her with a
kind OF vague, pleased curiosity and kind
ness.
And you are really my YolRnde, then
How tall you are, and beautiful, teo-
like an angel. When have thought of
you, 1t was not like this. What beauti.
full, beautiful hair; and SO straight you
have grown; and tall! So they have sent
you to me at last. But it Is too late now
TOO late"
mo, no, mother, 1t is not too late,
You will come away with me, will you
not-now-at once"
The other shook her head sadly; and
yet 1t was obvious that she was taking
more and more interest in her daughter
regarding her from top to toe, admir-.
ing her dress even, and all the time hold
ing her hand.
"Oh, no, cannot go away with you,"
she said. ut is not for you to be ham
pered with one like me. l am content.
l am at peace here. l am quite happy
here. You are young, rich, beautiful;
you will have a beautiful life; every
thing beautiful round you. 1t is SO
strange to look at you! And who sent
you? The lawyers, l suppose. What
do they want now? Why do they not
let me alone?"
She let the girls hand fall, and turned
away dejectedy, and sank down into
the easy chair again, with a sigh. But
Yolande was mistress of herself now. She
went forward, put her hand upon her
mothers shoulder, and said firmly:
Mother, | will not allow you to re-
main here. 1t is not fit place for you
L have come to take you away myself
the lawyers have not sent me; they want
nothing. Dear mother, do make up your
mind to come away with me-now".
Her entreaty was urgent, for she could
hear distinctly that there were some high
words being banded in the lobby; and
she wished to get her mother away with
out any unseemly squabbe.
DO, mother. Everything Is ready
You and l will 60 away together tc
Worthlng; and the sea air and the coun
try drives will soon make you well again
have got everything prepared for yor
pretty rooms fronting the sea; and 6
balcony where you can sit and read: anC
| L have pony carriage to take you fol-
drives through the lanes. All, now, IL
| think 1t Is your own daughter who i.
asking you. You cannot refuse! Yor
cannot refuse"
At this moment the door opened; ant
short, stout, red-faced, black haired
woman made her appearance. 1t wa,
clear that the alteration with Jane ha6
not improved her temper.
Il beg your pardon, young lady" said
she, with studied Difference, but wan,
| to know what this means?"
Yolande turned with flashing eyes.
Leave the room"'
For a second the woman was cowed
by her manner; but the next moment she
had bridled up again.
Leave the room, indeed Leave the
room-in my own house! Not until Tn
paid. And what's more, the poor dea,
lady isn't going to be taken away against
her will. She knows who her friends
are. She knows who have looked after
her and nursed her. She shan't be fore.
ed away from the house against her
will, warrant you"
Leave the room this instant, or !
will send for policemanw Yolande
said, and she had drawn herself I'M to
her full height, for her mother. Door
creature, was timidly shrinking behind
her
"A policeman! Hoity-toityw said the
other, with her little black eyes spark.