Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-03-24

X, " a.
Mr.. Cough has not required to busy him
self in my behalf, for the gift he has
offered me is his to bestow on whom he
likes. 1t is a doctor TO his own people
at New Mills i'll Lancashire, that he
has appointed me. 1t is grand thing
for me, independent of the stipend. Just
what | would have chosen, to have my
work laid out amongst workers, where |
shall be called on to cure diseases
brought on by idleness and luxury. Proud
am to belong to the Aristocracy Of La
hor and in serving it body and soul, am
honored. And perhaps, Maruscha, may
be privileged to pick here and there, a
down-trodden brother from the mire, and
set him on the road to Freedom" add
humbly.
Yes, Vladimir" she responds. And
her gaze is solemn and uplifted, as if
she saw the Angel OF Liberty descending
from the clouds. There is u long pause,
during which my thoughts revert to the
object OF this interview. The moments
seem particularly propitious for broach-
ing the delicate subject. Maruscha's
mood is soft, and apparently submissive.
Whilst | am beating about for some
happy mode Of introducing it, she breaks
the silence.
"Mr. Cough has talked to me much
about New Mills and his people. What
pride he takes in them-as father in
his children! l think he is very good
and Just man, and they are fortunate
who get employment under him."
Yes, Maruscha, he is all thou sayest.
Moreover, he is a man Of judgment,
practical and sensible. A man whose
advice is worth listening to-"
She unconsciously plays into mX hands.
That is it, Vladimir. He has SO much
common sense that l should feel in
clined TO act on his advice, even though
it were contrary to my own judgment"
Quite so, Maruscha. And when this
morning he advised our immediate mar
riage | waived my own opinion to his
way OF thinking He made me do 80,
for his reasons were so conclusive that
they admitted Of no argument"
But surely, Vladimir-"
And l said, instantly" l continue,
feverishly, "Maruscha is the last girl in
the world to raise objections under the
circumstances. She is not capable of
such folly"
She tries to put in word, but hurry
on: MY betrothed is not a/silly dame
de societe to stand on ceremony. l need
only explain to her how imperative it
is"
vladimir" My name is pronounced
in a manner so commanding that the
flow of my language is instantly checked
My hand is whisked with exceeding
swiftness from its resting place in the
bend Of Maruscha's arm. She with
draws herself
What have | doneT l ask, my emo
tons halting between anxiety and in
dignation.
Done" she gasps. Thou takest as
If l were some poor, helpless creature,
to be twisted round thy finger! Thinks
Mr.. Cough that it is one Of his mill
girls he has to deal with? l am surpris-
ell at thee, Vladimir, to think so little
OF my dignity as to allow this English
man to imagine that thou hast but to
beckon and l will be ready to wed thee"
"Maruscha, wilt thou listen to the rea-
sons-the very weighty reasons"
mo reasons could justify such an un-
seemly proceeding"
"Mr Cough returns to England in
day or two. / go with him. Wilt thou
let me 90 aloneT'
l put the question in cold, precise
tones, forcibly holding a barrier to the
surging waves Of passion that threaten
TO sweep my soul. She glances at me
askance. Her lip is still trembling with
anger. yet in the corners of her eyes
turks shadow Of self-distrust.
The answer comes. low and uncertain,
but still it comes. why notT
1T is enough" l say between closed
teeth. The barrier is down and the
foods leap and rage unchecked. Only
my tongue is under control, and my
words form themselves with a strange
distinctness; slow and calm.
I'm that case, Maruscha, as I depart
in few hours, and have business to
transact, perhaps thou wilt be good
enough to make thy intentions known
to Mr.. Cough"
lift my hat and stride rapidly away.
neither knowing nor caring whittier Me-
thinks as | go | catch her voice uttering
my name in half suffocated entreaty.
What is it to me? Is it possible that
now she regrets the ungentlcness of her
speech, but the fact remains the same.
In the tumult of my bitter thoughts |
heed not whittier my hurrying footsteps
are leading me, until trees are rustling
over my head, and discover that | am
skirting the '1Thiergarten." | plunge
into one Of the many shady alleys, fol-
lowing its winding course to deeper
shade, and by degrees the coolness and
quietude soothe my vexed spirit and tenn
per my heated blood. Then I remem-
ber the check in my pocketbook, and
Rosen, who may be waiting dinner for
me, and retrace my steps to the town.
On my way from the bank to the
"Stein-Strasse" l have to pass Hotel
London" l glance up at certain win
dow. There is little figure conspicu-
Gus, with wistful face gazing into the
street l raise my hat with the formality
of soldier saluting his chief. permit
not my eye to rest single instant on
1t, much as l desire to read Its express
otn AZ Il