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


CHAPTER XXI.
1t Is quite impossible to describe the
gladness and gratitude with which Yo-
lande read the letter from the Master
of Lynn, which not only gave her her
freedom, but said good-by In such
friendly fashion. For once ray of sun
light fell on life which of late had
not been of the brightest.
"Yolande, what Is the matterf You
have had good news this morning2" said
the mother, coming into the room, and
noticing the radiant face of the girl.
"Yes, indeed, mother-the best have
bad for many a way" said she, and she
led her mother to the window, and put
her in the easy chair, and patted her
shoulder affectionately. ''The best news
NJ have had for many a day."
What is it? May 1 ask?"
! For an instant Yolande hesitated; then
she laughed, and put the letter In her
pocket
No; it would be too long to explain.
But shortly l will tell you what 1t is,
mother-why, only that one Of the
friends know in the Highlands has been
generous and kind to me. Is 1t a won
derful thing? Is it new-unexpectedw p
"Ah, you ought to be with them, Yo-
lande; not here, throwing away your time
| on me-"
Ridiculous! ridiculousw said she, In
her French way, and then with light
step and bright face she went off to get
writing materials.
Dear Archer" she wrote, at Is 80
good Of you. do not deserve It. You
have made me very happy; and 1 hope
you also will soon be reconciled at home,
| and everything 60 well. 1t Is great
pleasure you offer me that we should al
ways continue friends, and l hope it
will be SO; know 1t will on my side;
and one may be in Inverness some day,
| perhaps ?1theh l should be pleased to
see you again, and also your sister, and
| Col. Graham. But that will be long
time, If at all, for my mother, though
she Is much better, does not get strong
as l wish, and naturally remain with
her-perhaps for always"
The alteration In the girls manner
after the receipt Of that letter was most
marked. Gladness dwelt in her eyes,
and spoke in her voice. She grew hope
| full, too, about her mothers health, that
now, when they went out for a morning
stroll among the shops, she would buy
this or the other small article likely to
be Of use to them in travelling. That
was partly why she presented Jane with
that winter cloak; Jane was to be- their
sole attendant. And now all her talk
was about orange groves and palms, and
marble terraces, shaded from the sun,
and the summer blue waters of the south
Yolande now set herself all the more
assiduously to the service Of her mother,
who, poor woman! though she could not
fail to see the greater cheerfulness and
content of the girl, and probably herself
derived some favorable influence from
that, still remained in weak and in
validish condition which prevented their
migration to the south. However, some
thing now occurred which stopped, once
and for all, her recurrent entreaties that
Yoande should 60 away to her own
friends and leave her by herself. One
day, as she was seated in her accustom-
ed easy chair looking at the people and
the sea and the ships, she suddenly ut
tered a slight exclamation, and then
quickly rose and withdrew from the win
dow.
"Yolande, dear" she exclaimed in a
voice of terror-"Yolandev'
"Yes, mother" the girl answered, look
ing calmly up from her sewing.
II have seen that man that you know
of-Romford"
"Well, what of itT the girl said,
quietly.
"But he was looking up at the house,
Yolande," said she, obviously in great
alarm. "He must know that we are
here. He must have sought us out"
every well, and what of thatT said
Yolande. And she added, with gentle
touch of scorn: 'Does he wish to be ask
ed to have some tea with us? think we
are not at home just now"
| "But you don't understand, child-you
don't understand" said the mother, with
| a kind of shiver "To see him was to re.
call everything. / was in dream, and
now it looks hideous to me; and the
thought Of his coming here, and wishing
to take me back to that life, when 1 did
not care whether each day was to be the
last"
my dear mother" said Yolande, rs 1t
| Of much consequence what the gentleman
wishes? 1t is of more consequence what
I wish; and that Is that you are to re-
main with me-"
"Oh, yes, with you, Yolande. with