Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-08-19

creep III you don't want to. You needn't
scowl, brother, you know it's true. Any
body can see it. And why did these
people come here in those skin clothes?
And why has Tyoga been so worried?
And why won't papa see us, and where
Is mother? Do you-oh, tell me-do
you think our mothers dead?" the
child cried, fiinging herself in Betty's
lap. I'VE had the loveliest mother, and
she's been gone for so long,"
What was your mothers name,
dear?" questioned Betty, though she
knew before she asked, and felt asham-
ed Of the query. She had the hot little
head pressed close to her shoulder and
could feel the rising sobs. The boy
had gone over to the window and was
tapping it moodily with his fingers.
"She was Mrs Cerisse Wayne Hack
leye," replied the child, "but we just
called her mother"
Betty's tears mingled with those Of
the little girl Il don't know, dear"
she answered. wait till we get a
post and then We'll know"
That's what Tyoga always says"
| continued the child. But the post new
er comes here any more. What's your
| name?"
Betty Lancey."
And his'n?"
"Mr. Johnson"
"And his?"
Mr.. Norris"
Mines Paula. and brothers is WAL
ter Hamley," announced the child. I'VE
just call him Walter. though. He's aw-
fully shy. is brother. He doesn't wear
mothers picture any more; he SAYS
she's been gone so long that she doesn't
love us or else she'd come back. But
that isn't So Tyoga went away for a
long time, but Tyoga came back. This
is mother see?"
She opened the locket around her
neck and displayed to Betty the now
familiar face of Cerisse Wayne.
1t was such beautiful, lovely, mock
ing face but 1t wasn't a good face!
Betty couldn't held acknowledging that
to herself even as she made her bow
to the witchery of the painted features
before her. There was nothing of the
mother there.
i hate this place." went on Paula.
1 don't like the blacks and don't like
the quiet that's always here. Papa
said he'd take us to England, but since
mother went away he never talks of
that any more. Papa doesn't seem to
love us like he did. He was away, too.
He's just come home. And So cross!
Why, the other day he stepped on one
OF my guinea pigs and killed 1t, and
then he killed another and took and
drowned the whole pen full of them in
the river. He used to be so good"
Paula, you've talked enough" child
ed the boy. These folks don't care"
Larry proceeded to make friends with
Walter, and Betty and Johnny kept
Paula amused with wonderful game
OF ball that you make out of your
handkerchief and twirl around from
one to another on two hat pins.
Gradually Larry and Walter got into
the fun, and the revel was at its height
when LIE Malheureux came into the
room.
lie Malheureux!" cried Betty, and
stretched out her hand in welcome.
But the shrouded figure stood aside.
Excuse me, please" he protested.
so these are your friends? Now thew
have found you, hope they may be
able to see you safely home again. +
Will ask of you, too, favor. Will YOU
take these two helpless children with
you? They belong to my sister. Mrs.
Hackleye, known to you as Mrs.
Wayne. I wish they may 60 to their
fathers people in England. There is
no one else who can take care of them
and they mustn't stay here any long
er No." reading the question in Lar
ry's eyes, 'the father is not dead. but
he Is not well. And 1t is best for them
to CO."
when can we go?" blurted Larry
"and where is the father? Didn't he
ki-"
Betty threw the ball at Larry. and
1t struck him squarely in the mouth.
interrupting the question on his lin.
Judge not" cautioned LIE Malheu-
reux. Il will dine with you later, after
the children have gone to bed"
The remainder Of the day was a
by the children. They de-
voured their strange visitors with
questions about the country they had |
never seen, wondered If they would
meet their mother, made a thousand |
childish plans for the voyage, and drew
lots as to which of their pets thew
would take with them. Discussion as
to the relative merits of white mice |
over guinea pigs and peacocks was
on belligerency when Tyoga
carried the juveniles away to the room,
that did duty as nursery and left
their impatient elders to await the
coming of Le Malheureux.
CHAPTER XIX.