Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-03-15
The Minister'S Wife
BY MRS. HENRY WOOD

, of them at heart, and he did not like to
hear that Mary might be in danger of
dying. He Travelled up at night, reach
ing Easton Place in the morning. Break
fast over, he shut himself in with his
sister.
And now, Ann, what do you mean by
writing to me as you did?" began he, in
his sternest manner.
II said to you, Richard, what DR.. Lamb
said to me. And l gave you my opinion
that she had better be allowed to mar
ry Charles Baumgarten."
Il dare say" exclaimed the naughty
canon.
There's not a shade of a chance now
for Sir Everard Wilmot," went on Miss
Dynevor. ITS of no use thinking of
him. Of course girls ought not to be Civ
en- way to under ordinary circumstances
But when it comes to this point, that the
girl may be dying, to give way may be
nothing less than a duty"
Let her see him then, and have done
with it," spoke the canon sharply.
Miss Dynevor was surprised at the con-
cession, but hastened to repeat it to Mary.
1t made her pale and agitated.
Il shall write a short epistle to his
chambers in Pump Court and let it await
him there" said Miss Dynevor. "No
doubt he will call here as soon as he
reads it."
Mind aunt, l must see him alone"
said Mary, a strangely heightened color
lighting her wan cheek.
You need not fear that any of us will
covet to be present; we are not so fond
of him." retorted Miss Dynevor.
She sent the "epistle' to Pump Court
1t lay there for some little time. Charles
was on the Home Circuit and when it's
business was over, he turned to Great
Whitton to spend a day or two with his
mother and sister, who were staying at
Avon House. But he lost no time in
obeying the summons, when he was back
in London.
Mary received him alone, as she had
wished. She sat back upon the large, old
fashioned sofa in the drawing room, her
head supported by pillow. Charles was
shocked to observe the change in her, and
thought she must be dying.
No" she said to him after they had
spoken for some time, II am not dying.
They think, at least they say, that when
once my mind is at rest, when we shall
have parted for good, suspense exchanged
for certain misery, that l shall begin to
get well again. 1t may be So"
Her head lay passively upon his shoul-
der; and they had just settled themselves
into this most interesting position, when
the door opened with a crash, and in
marched the subdean. Mary's head started
back to its pillow; Charles stood up, fold
ed his arms, and looked fearlessly at the
intruder.
80 you are here again, sir?"
by appointment, DR.. Dynevor. And
| am grieved to see what 1 do see. She
is surely dying"
You think so, do you?' cried the
canon. Perhaps you imagine you could
save her life?"
AT any rate l would try to save it. il
l were allowed. What is your objection
to me, sir?" he hastily added, his tone
one of sharp demand. my connections
are unexceptionable; and many brief
less barrister has risen in time to the
woolsack"
Il am glad you have the modesty to
| "NhAo"iSuSC lHdl you are DrleueSS.
Il did not acknowledge it, and I am
not briefless," returned Charles. "I have
begun to get on"
DIR. Dynevor looked at his daughter.
Would you patronize this sort of get
ting on?" asked he.
There was strange meaning in his
tone, which struck on Mary's ear. She
rose in agitation. her hands clasped.
Papa, would risk it. Oh, papa, if YOU
would only let me, would risk it and
trust it."
IF you choose to risk it and trust it
you may do So" responded the subdean,
coolly; "and that is what l have come
in to say. But, recollect, 1 wash nv
hands of the consequences. When YOU
shall have gathered all kinds of embar-
easements about you," he added, turning
to Charles, don't expect that you are to
come to me to help you out of them. If
you two wish to make simpletons of your
selves and marry, go and do it. But un-
derstand that you will do it with YOUR
eyes open, Mr.. Charles Baumgarten."
The subdean strutted out of the room.
and Charles caught the girl to him, for
he thought she was fainting.
How good he is to us 7" gasped the
young man in the revulsion of feeling
which the decision brought him.
CHAPTER XVIII.