Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1908-11-27

ness were not sufficient to start tears or
vexation, LAra's mind finally added to the
inventory of its miseries by reverting to
her conversation with Constable in the
carriage on the day of his arrival. How
she had berated the essayist for declar-
ing that the stuff of friendship stirred not
womankind! How vigorously he had
agreed with her
She sought her own room when the tJI-
multi mounted to the point of tears Pres
emily she went to the door and locked it,
for the inevitable thought had come. What
did the name of Peter Constable mean to
her? She had felt his strength. Long
ago she had dreamed of such strength and
put the dream away. Whether or not he
was to be the cOnqueror, she knew that
mastery like his could rouse her heart.
She was evading the substance of the
question. Before the mirror she frowned
severely at the Lara there.
Tell me this" said the woman, "do
want him to go away"
"No, no." said the image.
NO" repeated the woman; mot if he
be innocent
The image scowled at her conservatism.
"You deserve to suffer. You sent him
away without 1.-THE of your trust, with
out morsel of your mercy"
Standing in the upper hallway, SHE
heard what passed between Breen and
the planter at the front door. Why did
not Uncle joey demand extenuating cir
cumstances? She was sure that Breen
would have dropped some hint, at least,
OF Constable's part in the mysterious al
lance. had it not been for the barbed
iron of the others words. Lara's palms
ached from the pressure of her nails.
She did not go downstairs to luncheon.
but often crossed the hall, entering Con-
stables room to look at the mountain and
cityward along the smoky highway. In
one of these watches she saw the little
black carriage of Father Damien ap-
preaching. He would have driven by, but
she ran below and called to him from the
veranda:
"Come in and rest a minute, father. Is
there any good to tell?'
VERY little, Lara. The gray curse is
on Saint Pierre, indeed. | have grown
afraid for my people, and am warning
them to seek refuge in Fort de France.
Your guest suggested this STEP and has
helped nobly with money to care for the
people fleeing to the capital"
She drew from him an account of his
meeting with Constable on the highway
in the morning. He told her, too, how the
| young man had sent sick native mothers
and their children out to the ship for
refuge from the heat and sulphur fumes,
and of the large sums of money he had
volunteered for the care of the favored
few who fled to Fort de France Lara
bent her head forward toward the priest.
And what do you think of this man,
father?" she questioned suddenly.
The old mans mild gaze fell before the
glowing eyes of the girl. Il did not
think when l first met him that he was
gifted with such ZEAL" he answered
weakly.
''Where is he now, Father Damien?"
That l cannot tell, dear. We have
not seen him since morning. Some say
that he has gone to Morne Rouge; others
that he has ascended to the craters of
Pelee."
She sprang up, but repressed the ex
clamation upon her lips. Her mother had
entered.
Good morning, Father Damien" Mrs.
| Stansbury said pleasantly. as Lara re-
hearsing private theatricals for your
The priest made haste to depart, saying
that he was on the way to Fort de France
with the money Constable had given, to
make the refugees there as comfortable
as possible The ladies followed him to
the door. 1t happened that the old man
| faced Lara as he said:
Il hope it may be false rumor that
your friend has sought the craters of
Pelee. Such services as his we cannot
afford to do without. There is power in
the mani"
Il think l have felt it, father" the
girl answered quietly.
"What does this mean, this talk of
friend in connection with the confrere of
thief?' Mrs. StanSbury asked.
Il did not bubble in the use of the
word"
"Do you count as a friend one who
would try to put you aboard a ship which
bears the reputation of the Madame de
Stael?-one who would bring to our house
the notorious Nicholas Stembridge?'
You were also invited to go, remem-
ber."
'My dear child, you are overwrought
l cannot believe that you are appealed to
by this sudden interest of his in your well
fare nor that you dreamed of accepting
terms that would have frightened our
Domremy saint who braved wars"
81 do not like your talk of terms, moth
er. There were no terms. Mr.. Constable
asked me to board his ship, that l might
be safe. His care for my welfare is NOT
important in this talk"
''Do you think you would be safe to g.
with him?"
"Safe as the sea-safe as the black
women and their babies now crowded I'M