Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1909-05-21

at last, not only Soothed his conscience,
but arrived at the conclusion that, like
the grim old Grecian, his duty required
him to sacrifice his daughter. l often
think that old story a grand allegory.
Agamemnon sacrifices Iphigenia, even
yet, pretty constantly at St. Georges,
Hanover Square. We substitute the ring
for the knife, and the wedding breakfast
for the smoking sacrifice and we wreath
ourselves with flowers and silken raiment
as we offer up our maidens at the shrine
of Plutns. Who shall say that, after
all, that was not the meaning of the
fable?
But Harold Denison was conscious of
an inward feeling that the newly formed
idea was an extremely awkward subject
to broach either to his wife or daughter.
That he had never even alluded to Pear
mans proposal | need scarcely observe,
and that it looked still less pleasant to
touch upon now he had made up his mind
to be an active supporter thereof must
be equally obvious. Still the clouds were
gathering so thick over the house of Glinn
that no time was 10 be lost; and at last
the squire nerved himself to the task,
and sought his wife's boudoir, having pre-
viously ascertained that his daughter was
out of the house.
81 want to talk something over with
you, Nellie" he observed, as he entered.
II don't think that it will be quite pleas
ant to hear, but, at all events, it can't
distress you, as you will have the power
of deciding as you like about it."
Mrs. Denison raised her face anxiously
to her husbands. Decision, on any point,
was painful to her, and she was too well
aware, from former experience that this
was but the prelude to some scheme in
! which her concurrence had already been
practically marked out by her lord and
master Harold Denisons consultations,
at such times, generally comprised a mere
synopsis of his intentions, revealing some
minor unpleasantness which he looked to
her to carry out. Poor Mrs. Denison
might we'll be diffident about such conf
dences as a rule, they had borne but
bitter fruit.
"What should you say" continued the
squire, "if 1 tell you that it is possible to
save Glinn to us YETI"
"Oh, Harold, can it be so?" cried Mrs.
Denison with clasped hands and beating
heart. mo, you don't look like it; l see
in your face there is more to follow. 1t
is some bare chance, and your sanguine
nature has led you astray concerning It,"
Nellie don't be foolish. There is a
way Of arranging all these miserable
money matters that has been submitted to
me, and which, should we consent to,
| 20 arfa 10
satisfactory. / have turned it all well
over in my mind, and though | have, as
yet, come to no determination concerning
it, yet don't deem it altogether imprac-
ticable. Will you hear me patiently?"
"Yes, Harold" was the meek response.
well, what l want to talk to you
about is this. OF course you must be
aware that Maude is not only grown up
and handsome, but has arrived at an age
when wooers may be expected"
what do you meanT asked the moth
err her pale face flushing, and half
anxious, half-frightened expression visible
in her blue eyes.
I'VE will come to that presently. You
know her admirers at the minister ball
were numerous. A man of good property
in this county solicits permission to pay
his addresses to Maude He can give her
a good home and everything she can want
now, while at the death of his father he
will be the possessor Of large landed es-
tates in the county, besides considerable
sums invested elsewhere"
The poor mothers heart beat quick. To
whom was she to be asked to yield her
darling? Who in all the county side was
worthy of her peerless Maude? She
knew of none; yet she spoke not, but
gazed eagerly into her husbands face,
and waited with high-strung nerves till
he should speak again.
"Maude can have no attachment as
yet?" inquired the squire, at length.
mo, / think not How could she,
Harold? The poor child has, as yet,
seen so little of the world, and Maude
is not one to give her heart away light
ly."
"Madens hearts are stolen, sometimes,
good while before they are themselves
aware of it." returned Denison, senten-
tiously. ut is essential for my project
that Maude should be fancy free"
"She is," returned the mother, anx-
iously; "but tell me, who is this you
think good enough for her? There is no
one | know" she continued sadly, "it
to claim my darling's hand"
"It's no use fencing any more," re-
piled the squire. Young Pearman was
much struck with Maude at the Xmin-
ster ball, and solicits permission to win
her, If he can"
"Pearman What-the son of the law
yer !" cried Mrs. Denison. you're jok-
ing, Harold surely You would never
consent to such a match for a daughter
of yours
Listen, Nellie" replied the squire, sad.
ly. "Pearman has a heavy mortgage on
the property he has bought the best
part of what has been sold, and Maude's
marriage with his son would once more
| oon,ol;date Glinn Don't interrunt me- %