Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-03-09

N--~ Va - dhuaAg AN uldlu ser
want, sir, gave me certainly one piece
of information; she told me that her mis-
tress was staying with some people of
the name of Grantley."
Edgar Raikes looked up quickly.
"Grantley, did you say?"
"Yes; but who is Grantley? The girl
said people That's easily said. Is
Grantley plural or singular woman or
man, sir? That's what l want to know,
and that's what am going to see."
Il know a gentleman of the name of
Grantley," said Mr.. Raikes, rather hesi-
tatingly. "Sir Roy Grantley; if your
wife is staying with him and-and his
wife, l am sure that she is in very good
hands; perhaps-if you would kindly fa-
vor me with your name"
Certainly; my name is Talbot" re-
piled the other, readily.
81 know Mrs. Talbot | have often
met her. | assure you, Mr.. Talbot, that
if she is staying with-with-the persons
you have mentioned you need have no
anxiety"
1t was wonderful what a pain it gave
him even to allude to the woman whom
he believed to be Sir Roy's WIFE
Edgar" he began somewhat nervous
ly, you are the best friend man ever
had"
MY dear Brian"
u know there is nothing you would
not do for me-"
Nothing, my dear old chap. What is
it now?"
"Will you leave me to go home alone :?
L cannot, | think, bear to get there
to meet her-unless | am by myself"
Il will do better than that" said his
cousin promptly, and in spite of his ut
most efforts, his heart beat with a sud
den gladness that was n diemay 70 him.
i Will stop at Smackton-on- Sea. 1t is
the next station now, and will join you
by the first train in the morning. Mr..
Talbot" he said aloud, to their fellow
traveller, II have half mind to stop
with you at Smackton tonight, and re-
new my acquaintance with your charm
ing wife"
MIR. Talbot expressed himself over
Joyed. DO so, my dear sir, do so by
all means," he cried heartily The train
was slackening its speed. Edgar began
gathering his rugs and sticks together.
And | shall see her again." he said
to himselrf. And as he said it, his
heart was filled with q wild and insane
delight.
AT Keppington that morning there
were anxious hearts who waited with
gloomy forebodings to see what the day
would bring forth.
Kitten lay still in her armchair She
was too weak now to be moved. Rosa
mond and Roy took it in turn to watch
by her. Upon the lips of each, as they
passed each other with hushed footsteps
upon the threshold of her room, there
was ever the same question:
will he be in timer"
And as they stood for one half minute
together, Rosamond heard all at once
the distant sound of wheels upon the
gravel drive.
Listen, there is carriage"
ROsamond stood quite still at the open
door and waited. Soon she perceived a
numbering one-horse fly that was creep
ing slowly up toward the house, but, to
her surprise, it came not from the sta
ton, but from quite the opposite direc-
tion. She could not imagine who it
could be bringing. Certainly, however
it could not be Brian.
Gertrude Talbot was filed with de-
lighted astonishment at the spectacle of
the very person whom her Unsuitable Gu
riosity had been dying to discover
MY dear, it must bet is She" she
cried breathlessly, clutching at Marga-
ret Grantley's arm, as the fly came slow
ly up to the front of the great white
house.
"Who is it?" whispered Margaret
back.
Mrs. Earle, of course Then | stake
my existence that Brian Desmond is
here, too"
hen-then-where is RoyY' stam-
mered Margaret, bewildered.
Roy came quickly forward.
"Margaret-hereT he looked from
one to the other in bewilderment.
Col. Trefusis drew Rosamond away.
Roy took their place in the open door
way. He looked stern and angry There
was frown on his brow, and the lines
OF his mouth were hard and fixed. Mar
garet had seen him look like that be-
fore.
What is the meaning of all this 2"
he said, coldly and hardly. \ "What
brought you here, Margaret, and you,
Mrs. Talbot? Had you not the sense
to keep away from tLis house? What
was Felicia about to let you Gomez"
oh! don't be angry, Roy" He was
so like his father now that 1t fright
ened her. 'Indeed, it was not Felicia
who sent me; but what do you suppose
Felicia will think of you, she who should
become your wife? And, Roy, pray come
back with us. We have been so anx-
ious about you, Felicia and l, and what
good can you do here? You cannot sure
ly be wanted. 1t cannot be right for
you to stay here. Come back with us to
Felicia"
Then Roy answered her.
"Once and for all, understand me-