Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1907-01-11

NO! IL means that you are appointed |
to Great Wilton"
"How can l ever sufficiently. thank
Lord Avon?" he breathed forth.
Now, is not the knowing that worth |
something?" laughed she.
"Oh, Lady Grace 1t Is worth far
more than anything have to give in re-
turn. Butt is not jest, is it? Can |
il be really true?"
"a jest Is that likely? You will be |
publicly appointed in day or two, and |
will, of course, hear from my brother. |
am not acquainted, myself, with the for
nal routine of these things. Mamma is !
rejoicing she would rather have you here |
than any one."
Lady Avon is too kind" he murmured,
abstractedly.
And what do you think mamma said ?
Shall | tell you? Mr.. Baumgarten can
marry now Those were her words.'
| Grace spoke with sweet sauciness, Sc
cure in the fact that he could not divine
her feeling for him-although she believ-
ed in his love for her. His answer sur
prised her.
Yes, can marry now," he assented,
still half lost in his own thoughts. IL
shall do so-soon. l have only waited
until. some preferment should justify it."
You are bold man, Mr.. Baumgarten,
to make so sure of the lady's consent.
Have you asked herr"
NO; where was the use, until | could
speak to some purpose? But she has de-
tected my wishes, am sure of that and
there is no coquetry in Edith"
Edith" almost shrieked Lady Grace.
Il beg your pardon l shall not fall"
What have you done? You have hurt
yourselfl"
They had been walking close to the min
iature rocks, and she had seemed to STUN
BILE over a projecting corner. 81 gave my
ankle twist. The pain was sharp she
moaned.
Pray lean on me, Lady Grace; pray
let me support you; you are as white as
DEATH"
He wound his arms gently round her,
and laid her pallid face upon his shoul-
der; he thought she was going to faint
For one single moment she yielded to the
fascination of the beloved resting place.
Oh that it could be hers forever! She
shivered, raised her head, and drew away
from him.
THANK you," she said, family "the
anguish has passed. / must go indoors
now"
Mr.. Baumgarten held out his arm, but
she did not take it, walking alone with
rapid steps toward the house. At the en-
tr-nce of the glass door she turned to him.
II will wish you good evening now."
He held out his hand but she did not
appear to see it,. She ran in, and he
turned away to depart, thinking she must
be in great pain.
Lady Grace shut herself in the drawing
room. For a few moments she rushed
about like one possessed, in her torrent
of anger. Then she sat down to her writ
ing desk and dashed off a blotted an(
hasty note to Lord Avon-which woult
: just save the post.
Give the living to any one you please
Harry, but not to Ryle Baumgarten; be
: stow it where you will, but not to him
There are reasons why he would be ut
terly unfit for it. Explanations when W,
meet"
During this, Mr.. Baumgarten was hast
ening home, the great news surging il
his brain. Edith was at the gate, but no
looking for him, of course; merely en-
joying the air of the summers night
That's what she said she was doing wher
he came up. He caught her by the wais
and drew her between the trees and be
gan to kiss her. She cried out, and gazet
at him in wonder.
Edith, do you think l am mad? l be
| I u,;t far 81. a.
: has come that l may ask you to be m,
7 wife !"
, Your wife," she stammered. for |,
truth that prospect had seemed farthe
r off than heaven.
, He drew her to him again in the plenti
tude of his emotion. Her heart beat wild
) ly against his, and he laid her face upor
] his breast, more fondly than he had lai,
anothers not long before.
3 "You know how l have loved you: yo,
| must have seen it, though l would no
r speak; but 1 could not marry while m,
income was so small. 1t would not hav
been right, Edith"
IF you think so-no."
> But, oh, my dearest, I may speal
now. Will you be my wife?"
"But-what has happened" she asked
"Ah, what! Promotion has come t,
: me, my dear one. l am presented to th
living Of Great Whitton."
, "Of Great Whitton, Ryle?"
1T is quite sure. Lord Avon's mothe
3 asked him to give it to me, it seems, an,
t he generously complied. Edith, will 70,
, reject me, now l have Great Whitton p
She hid her face. She felt him lovingk
! stroking her hair. II would not hav,
E rejected you when you had but Littl,
t Whitton, Ryle."
"Yours is not the first fair face whicl
t has been there, this night, Edith" he sal,
in a laughing whisper. 81 had Lad,