Rogue River courier. (Grants Pass, Or.) 1886-1927, 1907-06-07

come back"
"No, he won't, papa" shaking hel
head sadly. Hes gone, and he will
never come back. 1 know him better
than you do"
And then she fed promptly upsta, :
to her own room.
This was the nearest Constance came
to betraying her love for Oakley. She
was not much given to condolences, and
the ideals that had sustained her in her
pride now seemed 30 childish and un-
worthy that she had no wish to dwell
upon them, but whenever Dams name
was mentioned in her presence she
looked frightened and guilty and avoid
ed meeting her fathers glance.
1t seemed, indeed, that Oakley had
taken final leave Of Antioch. A new
manager appeared and took formal
charge Of the destinies of the road.
Under his direction work was resumed
In the shops, for the strike had died a
natural death. None of the hands was
disposed TO question the 10 per cent
cut, and before, the winter was over
the scale Of wages that had been in
force before the strike was inaugurated
was voluntarily restored. The town
had no criticisms to make of Johnson,
the new manager, quiet, competent
official; the most any one said was that
he was not Oakley. That was enough
For Dan had come into his own.
? Early in October there was a flutter
of excitement when Turner Joyce and
his wife left for the east to be Oakley's
guests. When they returned some
weeks later they had a good deal to
say about him that Antioch was frank
iy curious to hear.
He had taken his father to Burton,
where his mother was buried. After.
ward he had Joined General Cornish in
New York.
While abroad the financier had effect
ed a combination Of interests which
grouped number of roads under one
management, and Dan had been made
general superintendent Of the consoli-
dated lines, with his headquarters in
New York city. The Joyces were but
vaguely informed as to where these
lines were, but they did full justice to
their magnitude, as we'll as to the i'm
portance Of Oakley's new connection.
The dull monotony of those fall days
In Antioch was never forgotten by
Constance Emory. She was listless and
restless by turns. She had hoped that
she might hear from Oakley. She even
thought the Joyces might bring her
some message, but none had come.
Dan had taken her at her word.
She had made no friends. and, with
Ryder dead and Oakley gone, she saw
no one and finally settled down into
an apathy that alarmed the doctor.
He, after some deliberation, suddenly
announced his intention of going east
to attend medical convention.
shall you see Mr.. OakleyT Con-
'stance asked, with quick interest.
Probably, IL he's In New York when
l get there"
Constance gave him a scared look
and dropped her eyes. But when the
me drew near for his departure she
bllowed him about as IL there were
something on her mind which she wish
ed to tell him.
The day he started she found cour.
age to ask:
Won't you take me with you, papaT
Not this time, dear" he answered
She was quiet for moment and then
said:
Papa, you are not going to tell
himY'
Tell who, Constance. WhatY'
"Mr. Oakley"
What about Oakley, dear?"
She looked at him from under her
long lashes, while the color slowly
to her cheeks.
"You are not going to tell him what
you think you knowT
The doctor smiled.
81 wish you would grant me the
possession Of ordinary sense, Con
stance. am not quite fool"
You are precious" she said, kiss
ing him.
Thank you. What message shall l
give Oakley from your
F"None"
"Nonew
HE won't want TO hear from me-
'hyly.
"Why not?"
Because he just won't, papa. Be
edes, expect he has forgotten that
uch a person ever lived"
"I wouldn't be too sure of that. What
was the trouble, Constance? You'd
better tell me, or may say something
shouldn't"
"Oh. you must not say anything
N alarm-"you must promise"
Constance, what did Oakley say to
vou that last day he was here at the
louseT'
Constance's glance wandered medi-
tntively from her fathers face to the .
window and back again, while her
rolor came and went. There was far
away. wistful look in her eyes and a
sad little smile on her lips. At last
She said softly; "Oh, he said a number
of things. can't remember now all
be did say"