Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-11-24

cacy of constitution that was common
to us both: who is to care for her when
I am gone? Into whose hands am | to
leave nv frail treasure, with her wild,
untrained mind and her shrewd, sensitive
soul? Will Desmond help me, wonder,
for the sake of the service l once rem
dered to his father? All, we shall see,
we shall see. l can leave my manu-
scripts and collections to my country |
but to whom shall l leave my child, |
sweeter legacy than any other|
|
The remains of the cold supper which
had caused so many anxious thoughts to
the young housekeeper, lay still upon
the table, ample justice had been done
to it by the late-arriving guest. A lamp
with a wide red silk shade lighted the
room with warm radiance, some roses
In glass bowls decorated the simple feast,
while a dish of crimson currants, plled
up high In an antique Chelsea dish, add
ed yet another touch of feminine taste
to the repast
1.-THE old boy hasa good housekeeper,"
said Brian Desmond to himself, as he
leaned back in his chair.
He was a little at a loss, certainly, to
understand exactly why the sage had
asked him to come and stay with him.
Brian had no scientific tastes, and he
knew nothing whatever about beetles
and grubs and winged creatures of the
air. He was not even a clever man,
according to the modern ideas of clever
ness. He was neither an author nor an
artist. Mr.. Desmond was simply mod
eratey well-educated gentleman of ex-
pensive tastes and luxurious habits,
i which an acquisition of most unexpected
i wealth had, within the last few years,
; enabled him to crafty. He could not,
: therefore, conceive why the professor,
y who was an old man, and in his way a
great man, had chosen to seek his socie'
ty in SO marked manner on the present
occasion.
While he was pondering upon this sub
ject, Mr.. Laybourne interrupted his med
s itations by the following words
a Now, l daresay, my dear Desmond
e that you are at this very moment won
dering why / have invited you to COM
10 down all this way to spend few day
3 with me. l take it very kindly of you
lead life of retirement and study.
"a have no inducement to offer to a maj
e. of your age and tastes, and yet you hav
N done me the honor to leave your Lon
r don friends and your London gaieties t
III come down and see an old Dogenes i
his tub"
ut 1.-THE honor, Professor, is all for me,
I'll replied Desmond, that a man with S
worldwide a reputation as yours shoul
ed seek the society of an Insignificant PEI
son like myself"
Ia "Wait, wait, my friend" interrupte
at the old man, with his gentle smile, :"
ou you had studied animal life as much 6
have, you would know that there is 1
effect which has not a cause
'e- perhaps you have heard, Desmon
to that was once married." he said quie
ur ly, not looking at his guest. my wi
lis died in childbirth"
es- "YesW Desmond looked up with
terest.
IL For few seconds Mr.. Laybourne w
silent, then looking up and meeting
ID guests eyes, he continued: my lit
ui- girl is a great source of anxiety to m
is is She inherits her mothers tendency
'iu consumption, and, l fear, my own u
ar sound constitution. Desmond, l have
original disease of the heart"
ISL II am deeply distressed; are y
os- sureT
ou There Is, unfortunately, no dou
whatever about it. l have been ava
IN u, of it for some years and have the fiji
- medical opinions to confirm what h
long been my own conviction. l am
'ur no appreciable danger, l may live yea
ler and die of something else, again l M
| p;nty 4, !
want to know isl he added, with d gu
I'VE den break in his voice. "what is to
Ire come of my little girl in that case?"
len Brian was uncertain how to answt
me he balanced his knife more anxious
'ck than ever and murmured somethi
tly about female relatives.
lea "She has none, not one, either on h
ms mothers side or my own; all are dead
18th have followers and worshipers by t
score; these go for nothing; and ha
ro- also number of professional acquaiI
ION ances but where among them all shall
rn- find man fit to take charge of child
vii a woman child?' For half moment
my paused, then said again, very earnestl
the Brian Desmond, will you take t
elf charge of my orphan child?'
Brian looked startled
PHI 81? l am not fit. My life is a wa
dering one. l am here to-day, gone
er, morrow. Sometimes | travel in WI
countries, sometimes | spend months
to the racket of a London season; do v
ems indeed think such man as | am can
rry fit for the charge of childT'
'ou The professor sighed deeply. 9Th
ed, you Decline" he said, sadly.
mo. no. do not think TINT Rut VI
-it- proposition is so strange, so unexpe
up ed give me but moment to think. A
to yes, l have cousin, sweet, go
do woman with children of her own; 20
little girl could be left with her a
ten l could see after her occasionally; tn
ex' would be a happy home for her; q
Pc sure she would take her gladly. n
er- Laybourne, do not be uneasy about 20