Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1906-02-09
And then Gertrude laughed again and


There was one thing which Roy un-
derstood, and of which Gertrude and the
world knew nothing, and that was the
peculiarity of Kittens character, which
had led her to do thing which, to the
eyes Of others, was foolish and repre-
hensible; but which was in entire accord
ance with the natural simplicity of her
own mind. Even Felicia, who was affec-
tionate and sympathetic, could not enter
into this.
Roy" she said to him, when the door
had closed upon Gertrude, this is too
dreadful How is this business to be
bettered? How are these two people to
be brought together againT
Il have no power to interfere" he
said sadly. Kitten is no child. l can
only do as she tells me to do"
Now to Felicia, it seemed that Kitten
was not only a child, but also an ex-
ceedingly foolish one; but knowing Roy's
infatuation, she forebors to express her
opinion.
do you think of the husband, poor
Mr.. Desmond! 1t is dreadful for him."
But Roy could not be brought to pity
Brian. The man who had dared to win
the deep love of Kittens soul, and to
give her back nothing but the empty
husks OF his life, was to him an object
not of compassion, but of adherence.
What is he doing-is he looking for
her" was all he said gloomly, after
pause.
No, he seems stunned, l hear, you
know, because-because- Raikes, his
cousin, is with him."
Felicia spoke of Edgar Raikes with
little telltale confusion of manner, which
Roy was far too much absorbed in his
own troubles to observe.
"Raikes" he said sharply. "Surely
that is his agent, who lives at Keeping
tonF Is he in town, thenY
1t had been Roy's secret hope that
this gentleman might recognize Kitten,
and be the means of restoring her to her
husband.
Yes, he went to Lowndes Square at
once, and has been there ever since"
answered Felicia, who thought her hero
a very prince among men for this act of
charity. Mr.. Desmond has kept him."
HE is going back to Keppington, l
supposeT inquired Roy eagerly.
mo | don't think he Is. Mr.. Raikes
ran in this morning, knowing | should
be anxious" added Felicia, coloring a
little, ito tell me that Brian Desmond
has asked him to go abroad with him
at once"
'To go abroad" cried Roy, aghast.
DO you mean to tell me that he is GO
ing to make search for his wife? That
he is content to give her up without an
effort? To leave her without even know.
ing what has become of her, or whether
she has got enough to live upon? Good
heavens, the man cannot be such a brute
as thatr'
Mr.. Raikes certainly told me he was
going abroad at once. l know nothing
more"
Felicia" he cried, "it cannot be. Do
you think that he-her husband-be-
lieves in this wicked slander against her
which Mrs. Talbot and venomous women
Of her description have set af1oatT
mo, no. | hope and trust he has not
heard of it." she answered eagerly. 81
do not think he has yet. But at any mo-
ment it might get to his ears. Oh, Roy
if only 1t could be stoppedr
And that was what Roy, too, said
over and over again to himself, as he
went slowly back to his sisters house.
IF it only could be stopped"
But how can the voice of scandal be
stopped? 1t is often hard to make peo.
pie believe in an absolute truth, but tc
believe in lie, that seems to come easily
to everybody; and once fairly started on
its way, lie is as hard to stop as is
that magic fiddler of German fairy lore
who has been dancing his way over the
world ever since the Middle Ages.
He was very depressed and unhappy
she flung himself wearily into deer
armchair in Miss Grantleys drawing
room. Margaret was adding up hel
weekly bills.
'Well, Roy?"
''Well, it is as you sad," he answer
ed gloomily. "You were right and
was wrong. 1t is not, | suppose, for the
first time in our lives that | have beer
forced to acknowledge as much"
There is, Of course, one thing yor
could do, Roy, which would effectually
stop this uncomfortable scandal at once
and forever"
81 wish to goodness you would say
what 1t is, them" he answered "God
knows, l would do anything"
''If you were to give out at once thai
you were engaged to be married to some
girl, everybody would perceive instantly
the impossbility of there being any truth
in the reports which have coupled YOU
name with Mrs. DesmOnd's."
Engaged to be married!" he cried
contemptuously; "how can that be done
pray2 What utter nonsense! To be en-
gagged, must ask some woman to marry
me. How can go out and do that a
moments notice? If that is your plan
Margaret-"
"There is always Felicia" said Mis-!
Grantley, quietly, without venturing t
look at him.
Roy did not answer, and Margaret con
tinued, after pause; Felicia would
| t,,, tharn tp all I'm,