Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-01-04


as they were to drift, and he made him
self happy and contented at Whittoi
Cottage. He had just entered now upoi
the second year of his residence witt
them; during which Mrs. Dane had beer
seized with a slow and lingering illness
which must in time terminate fatally.
Thrown together in daily intercourse
an attachment had sprung up between
the young rector and Edith Dane; a con
cealed attachment: for he considered his
circumstances barred his marriage, and
she hid her feelings as a matter of course.
He was an ambitious man, proud man.
though perhaps not quite conscious of it.
and to encounter the expenses of fam
lily household upon small means appeared
TO him more to be Stunned than any ad-
verse fate on earth. Mr.. Baumgarten
was of gentle birth, but he had not any
private fortune or near relatives he had
in fact no connections whatever to push
him forward in the church. For all he
could see now, he might live and die at
this poor living, and he did not like the
prospect.
They soon reached Whitton Cottage
Mr.. Baumgarten went on at once to the
little room he used as his study, but
Edith, at the sound Of wheels, fingered
in the garden. The Countess of Avon's
carriage drew up and stopped at the
gate. Miss Dane went out to it. Grace
spoke first, her eyes running in all d.
rections while she did so, as If they were
in search of some object not in view.
Edith, we could not go home without
driving round to ask after your mamma"
THANK you, Lady Grace. Mamma Is
in little pain to-day, and her cough Is
not troublesome. | think her breathing
is generally better in hot weather. Will
you not come in?'
Couldn't think of it, my dear" spoke
up the countess. Our dinner will be
ready; you know l have to take it early.
Grace forgot 10 order James round til
we were half way home"
Has Mr.. Baumgarten got back from
church YETI" carelessly spoke Lady Grace,
adjusting the lace of her summer mantle.
He is in his study, l fancy" replied
Edith, and she turned round to hide the
blush called up by the question, just as
Mr.. Baumgarten approached them. AT
his appearance the blush in Grace Car
mels face rivaled that in Edith's.
"You surpassed yourself to-day" cried
Lady Avon, as she shook hands with
him. II must hear that sermon again
Would you mind lending it to me?"
mot at ALL" he replied, "if you can
only make out my hieroglyphics.'
when shall l have it? Will you
bring it up this evening, and take tea
with us? But you will find the walk
long, perhaps, after your services to-day
and the weather is hot" she added
Very long; too far. Could you not
return with us now, Mr.. Baumgarten? p
interposed her daughter. Mamma will
be glad of you to say grace at table,"
Whether it pleased the countess or not
she had no resource, in good manners
. but to second the invitation so uncere
J., moniously given. Mr.. Baumgarten ma,
| have thought he had no resource but t.
acquiesce-out of good manners also, per
haps. He stood leaning over the car
riage, and spoke, half laughing:
Am l to bring my sermon with me
! If so l must go In for it. l have jus
, taken 1t from my pocket"
He came back with his sermon in 1t
black cover. The seat of the carriag
| was exceedingly large, sweeping round il
! n half circle. Lady Grace drew neare
to her mother, sitting quite back in tn
middle of the seat, and Mr.. Baumgartel
took his seat beside her. Edith Dam
cast look after them as the carriag
: rolled away, a panied, envious look; fo
r her the sunshine Of the afternoon ha,
, goe out.
Miss Dane did not like these visits O
, his to Avon House, and he seemed to b.
often going there on one plea or another
There, he was surrounded by all the glor,
and pomp Of stately life, and that is an
to tell upon mans heart; Grace Car
mel, too, was more beautiful than she
and singularly attractive. Not that Edit
did, or could, suppose there was an,
real danger; the difference in their so
cial positions barred that.
Some cloud, unexplained, and nearl-
forgotten now, had overshadowed Lad
Avon's later life. 1t had occurred what
ever it was, during the lifetime of he
lord. She had chosen ever since to liy
at Avon House in retirement
An inward complaint, real or fancied
had set In, and the countess though
herself unable to move to London. Lad
Grace had been presented by her aunt
and passed one season in town; then sh
had returned to her mother, to share per
forcs in her retirement, at which sh
inwardly rebelled. Over and over agail
did Grace wish her brother would MARI
and come home; for the place was his
3 and it would oblige her mother to quit il
. But Lord Avon preferred his town hous
to his country one, and told his mothe
r she was heartily welcome to stay in 1t
He liked gay life better than dul
one; as all the world had known whel
3 he was young Viscount Standish.
| 1t is just possible that the ennui O
. Grace's monotonous life at Avon had lie,
to her falling in love with Mr.. Baum
| garten. Thai she had dnna co that III