Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1905-03-31
CHAPTER XIV.

hcH' anu purchase tne SMALLEST wedding
ring he has, and keeper, in the selec-
tion of which l am so fastidious that it
has grown quite dusk when | leave the
premises with the two rings in my
pocket
Mr.. Coughs room is lighted up. l can
see the gaselier with its FIVE lights from
the street, for the blinds are not drawn.
take my stand under one of those dingy
limetrees which lend to the street its
name. keeping those windows in my eye.
"Maruscha will be dull, left all alone
so long with the old man." l muse. II
have never been 80 long away from her.
At this moment she is watching the door,
listening for my step, and growing every
moment more anxious and remorseful.
Her form appears at one Of the win
dows. She encloses her face with her
two hands, and peers out a dark outline
against the light. Her features are hid
den from me; would that l could read
them! Now begin to pace up and down
and turn over In my mind how l shall
comport myself when at length Ma
ruscha and l are together and alone. l
am studiously polite-taciturn. calm, re-
no allusion to our disagreement Of the
morning, but confne my conversation to
the beauty Of the evening and my ap-
preaching departure. / propose that to-
morrow, being our last day together, we
should spend part Of it in seeking for her
a suitable lodging, as Of course she can
not remain at Rosen's after / am gone.
To show how entirely sincere l am,
will suggest a suitable locality. And
what will Maruscha say? How act?
thrill with rapturous anticipation as l re-
call the finale of another difference we
had. A series of enchanting pictures
rise before me. My enjoyment Of the
concluding scene Is intense. In that airy
vision she b murmuring fearful self-re-
proaches, with her arms about my neck
which repeatedly interrupt with my lips
to hers, when -plump!-from the
realm of my sweet imaginings to the
dusty lime avenue with Hotel London"
before me, at one of whose windows
stands Maruscha. in her hat, and draw
ing on her gloves. She Is preparing to
leave the hotel alone.
In few strides am across the street
and mounting the steps. In few mo-
ments l am knocking at Mr.. Cough S
sitting room door.
Come inn' sounds the old mans pip
ing treble, and l enter.
Maruscha turns toward me and I had
almost fallen out of my role at the onset.
1t is only by instantly removing my re-
gard from her and concentrating it and
my attention on Mr.. Cough that l am
enabled to check my rising emotions.
Yet still seem to see only that pathetic
face Of misery with its wide, blue eyes
blurred with tears.
"Well, sir" exclaim with hard cheer
fulness. How have you done since |
left you this morning" I go forward
to his couch in my professional capacity
and feel his pulse.
"Oh, l say; bother" he snaps impa-
tiently, snatching away his hand. Leave
my pulse alone. It's as regular as clock
work, always is, always was-never va
ries! Where have you been all this
time? There's Molly, poor lass, been
fool she, tell her! Thought you'd gone
off with another woman, or made away
with yourself"
l hear a low, half-stif1ed contradiction
of this latter statement from Maruscha
vet / still determinedly avoid looking l.:
her direction.
III you had given it thought, Mr..
Cough, my absence was easily account
ed for. | have naturally many arrange
ments to make before we leave"
"Fiddlesticks!" he pipes contemptuous-
T. irly ta I Gnp
all about it; it's temper"
He doubtless sees the burning wrath
mounting to my face, for he puts up his
hand and quickly adds:
well, well, don't flame up! I'll say
no more. It's not my concern. And
now get you gone, she's waiting for you
Good night, both l know you are dying
to kiss and make friends"
Really this old Englishman's impu.
dence is beyond joke. "Sir-" be,
gan.
Come, come" he interposes, as il
soothing a vexed child. 81 know how
matters stand, and you're bit rutfled
as you're like to be. But I've been TAX
ing her In hand for you, and it's al
right. | told her she had been a bad
lass, and she promised to make amends
You'll find her as tractable as pet lamb
so don't you go for to be too hard on her
And IL she do kick over the traces Bit
at first, let her have her fling. Shell
spin along grand when once you have
got her broken to harness. The audac
ity of the remark robs me Of the power
of speech.
My first clear perception after its Mt
terance is: how is Maruscha affected
by It? ] direct toward her look OF
awful curiosity. To my amazement she
breaks into a short, hysterical laugh. Hel
face As suffused with vivid crimson
flush. Her lips culver with the conflict
ing emotions Of grief and amusement, ye
not touch of anger. She steps quickly
up to the old man and gives him he
hand.
Good night; sleep well, you mos
dreadful man. she falters, and still tina
d,bious fickering of mirth plays abou