Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-12-03
my bidding I can hnd plenty who

will"
Very true, Mrs. Saville; but I DO
not deny that 1 am reluctant to see
my young friend cut of without even
shilling. Do not be in hurry. You
cannot tell what time may bring
forth"
mo, Mr.. Rawson, l will not wait
Death may come at any moment, and
I could not rest in my grave II l
thought that designing mink was re-
yelling in the enjoyment Of my mon.
ey."
well; then, / will do you bidding.
The day after tomorrow I will send
my head clerk with the will. Wou can
get one Of your own people for a sec
ond witness"
Then l shall leave town on Thurs.
day. Until have signed, sealed, and
delivered 1t into your hands, shall
not quit this house. Can trust 1t to
you, Mr.. Rawson?"
my dear madam, do you take me
for felon?"
Mrs. Saville smiled-a swift, bright
smile, such as at rare-very rare-in
tervals lit up her grave face.
well, I shall leave It in your
hands" There was a short pause, and
she resumed: Among all this worry,
suppose you have not had time to
find me lady companion?"
"Yes, have made some inquiries,
and find It is no easy matter. The
fact is, I enlisted my eldest daughter
in your service. She is a sensible,
thoughtful young woman, and very
anxious to select the right article. She
was speaking to me only this morn.
ing, and was rather depressed about it.,
There are shoals of women seeking
such an appointment, but very few
that are suitable"
"One that did not suit would be
worse than none"
Exactly. Now, my daughter sug-
gested something that might suit, II
you do not mind waiting week."
'I fear, Mr.. Rawson, shall have to
wait considerably longer"
well, the lady was going to men
tion Is the niece Of our rector down
in Wales, my native place. He has
been dead many years, but this girl
lived on with his widow, who died a
| few months ago. She Is an orphan,
very slenderly provided for, and is
coming to stay with my girls for a
few weeks. She is a gentlewoman, and
we'll educated. l have not seen her
since she was very young so I will
take a look at her before l say any
more. II I think 1t worth while trou-
bling you, she might CALL and you
could form your own Judgment, or
take her on trial for a couple Of
months"
Thank you. Mr.. Rawson. I am
very much obliged. / should like to
see her; for I cannot have fright or
a dowdy before my eyes every day.
| When do you expect this girl?"
II am not quite sure. Soon, certain
| ly."
81 should like to see her before I
| leave"
II will ask my daughter to write
this evening and ask her to come a
| little sooner"
"Yes, pray do. II she Is at all rea.
sonable and intelligent, she may be OF
| great use to me. Imagine, Mr.. Raw.
son, Lady Olivia proposing to give me
her dear Sophia for six months, to
be my daughter and to cheer me up!
Why, the girl Is as great an idiot as
her mother!"
Indeed! The offer was we'll meant"
II hate well-meaning people"
Mr.. Rawson laughed. 81 suppose I
may tell you had few lines from
Mr.. Hugh -" he began, when he was
swiftly silenced by an imperative, mo
you may not l will not allow that
name to be mentioned before me, un.
less, indeed, we can succeed in break.
Ing this unfortunate marriage"
Mr., Rawson, looking very grave,
bent his head.
"By the way, what is the name of
the lady you mentioned?"
"Oh! Miss Desmond"
Il will see her." said Mrs. Saville,
with decision. II can tell at a glance
whether she will do or not
Then I shall wish you very good
morning, and my daughter will let
you know when Miss Desmond can
wait upon you"
Mrs. Saville thanked him again, and
bade him a gracious good-by.
Ito be continued)