Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-01-15

MISS Diana has given in to the notion,
and young Hepworth has brought his
cornet. If | were you, lad, | would Just
make the best of it, and join in merrily
with the rest
"And leave you sitting here alone.
grandfather? And l thought we should
have just one of our old evenings on the
river, and ! should row you and Miss
Carrngton, and her niece to the. Long
Island"
Nay, lad, | am not likely to be long
alone; the vicar will be in by and by
for chat, and most likely Mrs. Hendrick
and one or two others. Miss Diana will
drop in, just to tell me how things pro-
gress, and Sunny, too she never neglect-
me. Come, come, it is not like you to
ssulk, boy; | want to hear you laugh with
the others; it will make me feel young
myself. And, Greville," with a sudden
tenderness in his voice. I'VE have shaken
hands, but until | feel you | shall not
believe my boy is really with me-"
The young mans cloudy face cleared
in a moment. he left his place at once,
and dropped down on one knee beside his
grandfather's chair and sort of laugh
ing light came in his eyes.
You foolish old granddad," he said
you have not grown a bit wiser" And
then he knelt patiently while the thin.
wrinkled hand passed softly over the
merry face, and felt the broad, stalwart
shoulders, and then rested lingeringly on
his head.
Heaven bless you. lad you are strong
and broad-shouldered like Gerard; you
are every inch as fine man as your
father. Grow like him, my boy Though
| he was my own son, | will always say
there are not many Ike him, there,
must not keep you from the young folks
| to listen to an old mans maunderings.
! Tell Sunny that she is to be good to you,
as you have not many hours at home.
| Oh, there's Mrs. Hendricks step on the
gravel; she has stolen a march on the
vicar. Now you can leave me with an
easy conscience"
1t was evident Greville needed no fur
ther bidding. He rose to his feet at once
and stroled out into the veranda, cast
ing comprehensive glances over both gar
dens; then, satisfying himself that GER.
tain broad-brimmed hat belonged to the
person for whom he was in search. he
went leisurely through the little gate and
tracked it by sundry winding paths tc
the river bank
A little group of girls was gathered
round a boat. They were evidently play
ing at hide-and-seek with their would-bt
escort, to the mischievous glee of young
Etonan of tender age, as beftted jackets
and turn-down collars.
Come along, girls" he shouted. Let
tie and Dora, why don't you jump in
And, Miss Alison, you promised to steer
Quick, quick "
Not so fast, Jack; where's the hur
ry" called out a fresh voice and at tn
merry tones Alison turned round with
sudden start.
"Oh. Mr.. Greville!' and her brigh
face looked brighter still at the unex
pected sight of her old friend. "Wha
does this mean? Mr.. Moore never hinte
at your coming. | do not believe Aun
Diana knows, either"
81 thought | would just run down an
have a look at you all before / starte
for Keswick," returned the young ma
with assumed carelessness. 81 forgot a
about Miss Carrngtons Wednesday PoI
+ ulars: never mind, | have just arrived i
5 time for the fun. How do you do, Mis-
. Dora? Miss Lettice, | should hardl
have known you; you have so growr
: Well. what's the matter. Jack" for tn
J boy was grumbling audibly.
. "Only Fortescue and that other fello'
| will be down upon us directly, and tn
girls made me promise to get under wa
A before they came to spoil everything. lie
tie and Dora want to pick forget me moi
n on the Long Island-there are quaint
. ties on the east side, where we had ou
4 picnic last year
"All right, I'm your man. Miss Al
son. if you will be good enough to stee
A Jack and | will soon row you across
A And suiting his actions to his word
Greville assisted the girls into the boat
and promptly taking an oar, they wei
, soon gliding down the river.
Now and then they passed other boa
i with which they exchanged greetings, al
/, | once as they came 10 Geeuy isldhu'
>. swan came out with ruffled plumage ar
;. angry and stretched neck, and would ha'
o pursued them, only Jack threatened h
with his oar.
>. 81 suppose there are some young on
t. in there" observed Greville, thoughtful
s ly: and then he let them drift momel
e as he contemplate the scene. The broi
n cleaning river flowing so smoothly b
r tween its banks; the meadow land dott
. with groups of cattle worthy of the bru'
of Vicat Cole the girls happy faces
, faces that had been familiar to him fro
- hovhood. for Dora and Lettice Morvil
# had been old playfellows of his; the
~ simple summer dresses-all made up t
= adiuncts of pleasant picture that
!. might carry away and remember.
>. In a few minutes they had lande
. and Jack. who was the hero of the hot
for it was he who had planned this lit
;, excursion. was leading them proudly