Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-04-24
BY MlSADVENTURE
F. r A ~ X 3 AR ETT
CHAPTER VII.

auences from that evenings amusement.
1t seemed to me that Miss Dalrymple was
entirely occupied with the music, and
doubtless no thought of anything else
could have entered her head without be-
Ing suggested to her. But that was not
the case with Lynn Yeames. He was
carried away by the good looks of Miss
Dalrymple, and perceiving that she was
the best woman of the throng, both in
appearance and family connection. he
magnanimously resolved to sink the con-
sideration of her being poor and resolved
to secure her at any price, no matter how
rich he might be by the death OF his
uncle.
Somehow or other he proposed to her
that night-between the parts, perhaps,
when he led her into the adjoining room
for refreshments, though more probably
the old woman, his mother, slammed
sleep in the brougham to give her son the
opportunity as they were taking Miss Dal-
rymple home.
Two mornings after the concert DR..
Awdrey called on me, looking as yellow
as an old title-deed.
You must go up to Flexmore House
at once" he said without asking me how
/ was, or any other preliminary civility.
-'Flexmore is in critical condition
there's not a moment to spare"
What does he want me for?" I asked.
He wants to see you about that fool
of will you drew up for him. Get into
my trap. l tell you there is no time to
waste"
Aren't you coming with me?" 1 asked,
as he put the reins in my hand.
mo; | have another case to attend l
can do nothing for Flexmore at present
Miss Dalrymple has my instructions, and
can rely on her carrying them out"
drove over to Flexmore House, sus-
pecting mischief. found my old friend
in bed, but perfectly calm and collected.
Miss Dalrymple was in the room with
little Laure, who clung to her hand as
though she felt that soon there would be
but that to protect and befriend her.
Flexmore took my hand with smile
a silent greeting that was more touching
than words.
MY dear" he said to Miss Dalrymple,
you must leave us for few minutes,
please; we have little matter of bust
ness to discuss, my old friend and l."
well, what is it, George" l asked,
going to the bedside.
TONY, you must alter that will or
draw up another at once. You thought
right to tell DR.. Awdrey of the provis-
ion had made. He refuses to be Laures
guardian or trustee for her fortune"
"He/won't get out of it if you let the
will stand we shall see"
But the will must not stand; he has
shown me that. For the child's sake,
for that dear girl Gertrude's sake, it must
be altered. They must not be separated.
The money must be left in trust, and her
guardian and trustee must be my nephew,
Lynn Yeames"
Nonsense AS soon as Lynn Yeames
finds he has nothing he will cease to pes
ter Miss Dalrymple; he'll never marry
her If he gets the money and then how
is your little Laure to live with her? A
proof that he doesn't mean to marry her
is that he has been hanging about her for
months, but has carefully refrained from
binding himself to any engagement"
you are wrong, Keene. He proposed
to her night before last"
This took my breath away, and left
me no ground to stand on.
"And she accepted him?" gasped, af-
ter an interval of silence.
"She did. Yeames told DR.. Awdrey
yesterday morning. He came at once to
me, and arrived at the very moment l
was seized with the attack-otherwise l
might not have survived it. He was
with me all night; and this morning,
finding me sufficiently recovered to listen
to argument, he had this out with me. He
has the highest opinion of Lynn-so has
Miss Dalrymple, or she would certainly
not have accepted him. / myself see no
reason to disbelieve in him. In fact,
It's only you, Tony, who stick out SO
obstinately against him; and you, as
every one knows, are man of strong pre-
judices- strong prejudices."
II a man Of strong prejQdices?" gasp
ed. II, a lawyer, whose business it is
to weigh both sides of the question and
decide impartially? 1, an old man of
the world"
II don't care what you may be; know
you are an obstinate, pig-headed old fel-
low. But you must let me have my way
Il know / am right. No argument will
change mel must have my way"
"Good," said "I'll draw up another
will. 1t shall be just as you wish.
As I left the house l spied Lynn
Yeames coming down the road; but had
no patience to speak to him, and jumping
in the doctors gig, l drove of as quickly
as l could. kept the gig at the door;
and then, going into my Office. fetched
out the draft Of the old will and a sheet
of foolscap to write the new one upon.
Just at that moment my housekeeper came
in to say that my lunch was served. l
had an hours work before me 1t would
take another hour and half to carry it
over to Flexmore, get his signature, and
return.
Just as was finishing, there was a
ring at the bell, and my housekeeper