Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-03-11
CHAPTER XXI.-(Continued.)

"I am dying to read my letters"
cried Mrs Saville. Here is thics
one from Mr.. Rawson." She opened it,
and then, growing rather white, ex-
claimed, why, 1t encloses one from
Hugh!" This she read eagerly, and
then reperused 1t.
"Ah, If l could believe he cares for
mel" she said, at length. THE letter
is like himself, tender yet obstinate
He will be here nearly as soon as
this" she went on, her small, thin
fingers closing tightly on the paper.
"He implores me to let him see his
mothers face once more-the mother
he has been so near losing. Rawson
has evidently told him Of my illness.
He confesses 1 had right ~ 10 angry.
but reiterates his conviction that he
has done we'll and wisely in securing
the sweetest wife man could have"
You will see him, dear Mrs. Sa-
ville?' cried Hope, with white, parched
lips. you are so good as to think l
was Of use to you; If you would amply
repay me, see your son-let him plead
for his wife. They are married, you
cannot separate them, and II she Is
true woman it will break her heart to
know she has parted mother and son.
1t is In your power to confer such
happiness"
Il will receive my son. AS to his
wife, l cannot say what / shall do. !
gave Rawson directions to have her
watched; 1t was shabby thing to do,
but I did 1t. He has had her closely
shadowed, but she has been absolutely
well conducted. Still, II 1t is in my
power to confer much happiness, it
was in hers to create much misery,
and she did 1t! Why, Hope, what is
the matter? Are you ill?"
Hope fell back in her chair so dead
ly white and motionless that Mrs. Sa-
vile was terror-struck. She rang vio-
1ently, and, rushing to the fainting
girl, began to rub her cold hands.
Bring water, wine! send Jessop!
call the doctor!" she cried, in great
agitation, to the astonished butler.
who had never before seen his imperi-
Gus mistress so moved.
THE doctor has just driven of, m;
but l will send Jessop."
Soon the lady's-maid, the butler,
and the housekeeper were trying to
bring Miss Desmond back to life.
When she did open her eyes they
sought Mrs Savilles; she smiled and
feebly put out her hand.
Now she must 60 to bed," said Mrs
Saville, holding the offered hand in
both her own. "She had better be
carried upstairs"
II can walk quite we'll; at least In
q few minutes" murmured Hope, "if
Jessop will help me-
Thus Hope was relegated to her own
room, where Mrs. Saville insisted she
must remain all the next day. Won
derful to relate, that lady spent most
of 1t at her bedside, reading or knit
ting. Neither spoke much, yet they
had certain comfort In the compan-
ionship Miss Rawson called, and
was admitted during Mrs. Savilles alb
sence, when she went for short air
ing, which she considered essential for
her own health.
To her Hope explained that she must
for the present refuse her hospitablk
invitation. Then they talked long and
confidentially, and Miss Rawson took
charge Of couple of letters when she
bade her young friend good-by.
It was now established that Miss
Desmond was not to appear till lunch
eon-time, Mrs. Saville being content to
read the papers herself. The doctor
was not quite satisfied; his young pa
tient did not recover strength or tone;
she was depressed and nervous, averse
from food, sleepless. Some complete
change to bracing place might be
necessary. Mrs. Saville, who was
deeply concerned went eagerly into
the question of localities, but Hope i'm
plored, almost piteously, not to be sent
away.
It was the end Of September, and
London was at its emptiest; Mrs. Sa-
Vile was therefore spared the visits
and kind Inquiries Of her kinsfolk and
acquaintance She was Ill at ease from
anxiety concerning Hope. All that was
kindly and grateful in her strong ma
ture had been drawn forth by the des-
olate orphan girl who had the spirit
to Withstand her hitherto unreslsted
tyranny, and the perception to appeal
to the better self which lay beneath 1t.
So Mrs. Saville sat by herself, think
ing deeply Of her past, her present
and the possible future. one warm,
rainy mofninA "Horrid weather for