Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-10-29

house. She smiled at Rodney and at ne
impartially, and listened attentively to
everything Duponceau said. Even Charles
felt her influence l could see him linger
In the doorway on the alert to serve her.
breakfast came to an end, and Barbara
insisted on bandaging Rodney's arm. l
think he was sorry that she should know
how slight the wound really was, for he
dcmurred, though with a look of great
satisfaction but he finally consented to
roll up his sleeve. | drew Duponceau
away to MY den, and the two were left
alone for a long half-hour. Monsieur
Pierre and discussed matters Of defense.
When we returned to the living-room
Karbara's face was flushed, and Rodney's
ch"eks were red. His arm was wound
with new bandage and little gold pin
fastened it.
"Will you take me over to the house~
asked Barbara, jumping up; and now 1t
was my turn to gloat, for she insisted on
roking into every nook and Granny, on
learning how two men left to their own
devices lived, and on improving what she
found. /, who had once been averse to
feminine influence about house, surren-
dered. She Strengthened the pictures, re-
arranged the ornaments and knick-knacks,
and finally started in upon my desk.
"Oh, please don't touch that" l ex-
claimed.
She stopped and looked at me. Rod
ney let me fix his arm when he didn't
q 4
please do,' l said, motioning towards
the papers, and she placed them in little
piles, quite regardless Of what they were
about.
Now I've been horrid enough" she
said when she'd finished. 81 dare say men
are better off living alone. Think how
angry you'd be If a woman should do that
every day."
That depends on the woman. could
imagine"
Il always told you you were imaglna-
tive" she broke in. "The woman you
could imagine would probably be a
nymph."
YES" 1 agreed; "she Is"
"And nymphs are proverbially slippery
creatures"
"Yes, so I've heard"
80 she might slip away from you with
out a moments notice."
She sat down in my big desk-chair.
Poor Rodney" she sighed. 1T seems
as if he were sacrificing great deal.
Think of his stocks and bonds"
YES" l agreed. A moment later I
added, 81 haven't written a line for ever
so many days"
"And it's so important that a broker
should keep in touch with his Office" she
added
"And that writer should write"
Then why did you give it up?"
"Duponceau," | answered Our eyes
met. and we both laughed.
There was a brief silence, and then she
rose. 81 have feeling that the crisis is
coming. Remember that l trust you to
club"
We went downstairs, and Barbara
made her adieux.
"I'll go with you to your horse" said
Rodney.
81 shall be delighted to co." put in at
the same moment.
II am not so valuable man as you, u
Rodney explained, "in.case they should cut
us off,"
Barbara looked from one to the other
of us. "Rodney@" she began.
l bowed. II yield" He was the older
friend, and, much as feared him, could
but admit that he was entitled to the
privilege.
Islip smiled with pleasure. THANK
you," he said.
Rodney must not CO." she finished.
1t was my turn to start for the door
"Nor must you," she continued to me. 81
am much safer alone than with either oi
you"
The matter was settled; we could only
hold the door open, and let her pass out
We watched her as she went down the
beach. Once she turned and waved her
riding-crop in farewell. l: was cruel that
we should be penned up within four walls
when the world was crying aloud for Joy
Ct the day, and she was going out to it.
We turned back i'll at east towards each
'other, and just then a bullet ploughed into
the house to the right of us. We jumped
in, slammed the door, and bolted it.
There was cry from Charles. They're
coming up the balcony"
Ito be continued.l
4
Perfect Confidence.
A physician was summoned to a