Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-12-13
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ears to these tales of Chabot's and as
deliberately shut them to my explana-
ticns. She has magnified my smallest
misdemeanors into great faults"
You must not blame my aunt to me-
Charles. Recollect that to us girls, at
least, she has ever been good and kind.
| wonder what would have happened to
us when mother died, if it hadn't been
for her? Few women would have cross
ed the ocean as she did to fetch us, for
her dead sisters sake; and she has been
as good as a mother to us ever since. No.
Charlie, you mustn't say a word against
Aunt Ruth in my hearing"
Harriet" he said, you are quite right
to stand by her. 1t would be but a poor
return on your part for all her kindness
to you If you didn't; but in. wronging
me she has wronged you as WELL In
opposing our union, she not only wrecks
my happiness, but yours"
He was quieter presently. In the soft
ening influence of Harriet Weldon's pres
ence his evil genius seemed to desert him.
The angry expression of his features re-
laxed. They sat side by side and began
to talk. Still pleading with him, Harriet
Weldon strove to persuade her lover to
abandon his intention of Immediately
leaving France.
II have given you all my heart" she
said, tearfully, "and now you are going
away, perhaps forever-but marx, what
sound is that?"
She leaned out Of the window and list
ened intently for a moment The sound
of wheels on the carriage drive was dis
tinctly audible. She rushed to the man
tlepiece where a little clock stood ticking
away the precious moments.
1T is long past twelve" she exclaim-
ed. That's their carriage we hear.
They've come back from the opera. O.,
Charlie, go, go, beg you, while you can
get away"
Van Lith turned at once to 20. For
moment only, he held her to his breast
Into that brief interval of time were COM
pressed a hundred different emotions,
which stirred him as he had not been
stirred for many a day.
II cannot, yet l must leave you," he
cried.
He bowed his head little and kissed
her twice upon the lips. She trembled
violently, but thrust him away from her,
repeating in tones Of entreaty:
BE careful! o, do be careful" :"
He was himself once more. He placed
the half-fainting form Of the girl upon
the sofa, and hurried away. He was
about to commence his descent from the
window, and had already swung the old
fashioned. diamond-paned sash half way
open, when Harriet, in whose agitated
mind the fear of discovery overcame all
feminine weakness, rushed forward, and,
catching hold of his arm, exclaimed:
"You are too late! Come back Be
quick, or you will be SEEN"
Van Lith had just time to close the
window when, through chink in the cur
tains, he saw hooded barouche, drawn
by two powerful horses, sweep rapidly
around the bend Of the avenue and draw
up at the main entrance of the chateau.
From the vehicle there alighted gentle
man of about thirty years of age With
great show of attention he first assist
ed a young lady, evidently still in her
teens, to descend. He then with much
solicitude placed his nattily gloved hand
at the disposal of the third occupant of
the carriage, a gray-haired lady, evident
ly well advanced in years, for she leaned
heavily upon the shoulders of both her
| companions. She shivered slightly as she
stood upon the gravel path in the moon
light, notwithstanding that the night was
| warm.
There were traces yet Of extreme beau
| ty in this womans features, who, as
| Sarah Graham, had once been the toast of
the club rooms in fashionable New York.
1t was still the face of a refined and cul-
tured American lady. The nose was thin
and aquiline, and an expression at once
naughty, yet kindly withal, sat upon the
mobile, nervous lips. Jewels flashed
upon her still firm neck and her little
wrists. She held herself erect and her
eyes flashed proudly, as she looked upon
her splendid home.
Emily, my dear, have left my shawl
in the carriage. Will you please hand
it to me? Monsieur Chabot, your arm"
The younger lady at once sprang light
ly into the carriage, and returning with
the shawl, wrapped it closely about her
derness in the action.
How thoughtless of me. dear. You
might have taken cold. Don't ring, Mon
sieur Chabot. have a latch key. All.
here Is Pierre. Pierre, are you sitting
up? l hope there's some supper ready,
for I'm hungry as l can be. Come aunt :;
let's 20 in"
But something seemed to have attract
ed Nine. Roupell's attention. She with
drew her hand from the arm of her male
escort, and adjusting her monocle,
dainty toy of gold and ivory, gazed stead
lily at the upper windows of the chateau.
Isn't it rather strange, my dear, that
there's a light in Harriet's room? l
thought she was going to bed. If her
headache was no worse than that, she
might as well have accompanied us this
evening. When l was young girl, Mon
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