Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-01-14

own fine points.
That must have been very try
ing" said Hope, feeling that she ought
to say something.
Awful, my dear Miss Desmond. BY
the bye. may call you Hope? 1t is
good omen, your name
Certainly, Miss Dacre."
We'll, my dear Hope, nearly went
mad; but 1t is curious that l never
looked better. I f1irted wildly with
every one; still of course Hugh knew
quite well that l was desperately in
love with him."
Did he? How very trying! Per
haps he did not"
"Oh, yes, he did; and of course
ala ali sorts OF wild things TO snow L
did not care"
Yes, l understand"
Then I had that disturbance with
my father about poor Lord Balmuir
| behaved rather badly. l did In
tend to marry him, but I couldn't!
And so we went abroad and | felt
better. But 1t was an awful blow
when ! found that Hugh was abso-
lutely married! Just think of It'll
and to mere adventures, a nobodyl
such an ambitious man! He will
get sick Of her, you may be quite
sure"
"Why?" asked Hope, looking ~ear
nestly at her. as he very change
able?"
mo, not at all; he Is as steady as
a rock, and very proud. But most men
tire Of their wives, especially when
they have brought them no advan-
tages. I never thought Hugh Saville
could fall In love and forget himself.
Now, when l saw George Lumley, his
likeness to his cousin made my heart
beat. | soon saw that he was aNgood
deal struck with me. and I believe l
could love him passionately if-if-
memory was not SO lmportunate. He
Is very charming; and why should |
not grow young again? for one does
feel awfully old when one has no love
affair on. Don't you think George
Lumley is-very much taken with
me?"
Il suppose that sort of attraction Is
more perceptible to its object than to
any one else" returned Hope Desmond,
hesitatingly She had grown pale and
grave, while Miss Dacre ratified on:
Then, you see, when heard about
Hugh saving that mans life, I thought
| might make use Of the story to wake
up Mrs. Saville's good feelings. 1t
would be rather an heroic proceeding
If / were to reconcile the mother, son,
and wife. George Lumley said | was
splendidly generous
What! did he, too, know all about
Hugh mean Mr.. Saville?" cried
Hope, more and more disturbed
"Oh, yes; we have quite interesting
talks about him. I tell him confiden-
TALLY how fond l was of Hugh. and
then, of course, he wishes he was IL
Hugh's place: so we get on very well.
He is always coming, over to the
Court, except when he goes away for
a few days shooting. l am not quite
sure my father likes it. You have
never met Lord Castleton? He is very
nice-rather old-fashioned. Lord Ev.
erton was great friend of his in ear.
ly days. Now, my dear Hope, you
know my heart history; and you will
notice Captain Lumley's manner. You
know the Lumley estates are rather
encumbered. and dare say he feels
shy Of approaching me-poor fellow!
but, II like him that is of no conse.
quence."
II am always interested in what
you like to tell me, Miss Dacre." said
Hope, with some hesitation, as II
choosing her words, but l am not
very observant, and some older and
wiser person would be more deserving
of your confidence than l am"
"Nonsense could not tell all
these things to stiff old trump! Now,
mind you ask Mrs Savllle If you may
come and practice every morning for
the concert. intended to ask her,
but my anxiety about Hugh quite put
1t out Of my head. That is always my
way: never think of myself" Hope
was too bewildered with her energet-
ic rapldity to reply. SO Miss Dacre
went on: "She has really no feeling at
ALL She Is fearfully hard. I am
afraid she will never forgive Hugh.
But I will do all can"
If you will take my advice, Miss
Dacre." said Hone. earnestly. won will