Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-02-04


to the opera with Miss Dacre, Mrs Sa.
Vile had gone to drive in the Bois
with an invalid dowager duchess who
was on her way to some famous
health-resort in Switzerland, and
Hope, having finished her weekly let
ter. went out to post 1t, proceeding at
terwards to do some shopping. ON
her way back, near the Theatre Fran
Gals, she met Lumley, who immediate
ly turned with her. They walked rath
er silently to the hotel. Hope feeling
very anxious to get rid Of him, yet
somehow deferred from acting with
decision, but certain air of resolu
tion, by no means usual, which per
vaded his face and voice seemed to
hold her back.
Has Mrs. Saville returned" asked
Hope of the waiter who attended their
suite of rooms.
Not yet, mademoiselle, he replied
Then" she began, holding out
her hand to Lumley; but he did not
take It.
"If you will allow me, viii come
In and wait for her." he said, with
so much decision that she felt 1t would
be easier to let him come in than to
resist. He therefore followed her up
stairs to the pleasant salon, looking
out on the Tuileries gardens, where
Hope took of her hat, intending to
supply him with a newspaper and
leave him to his own reflections. This
plan was nipped in the bud.
Having walked to the window and
looked out for minute, Lumley re-
turned and closed the door. Standing
between 1t and Hope, he said. very
quietly, This Is the first chance j
have had of speaking to you, and i'm
plore you to hear me. | insist on your
hearing me. You have treated me
with the most insulting Indifference
and obstinately refused to understand
the feelings l have tried to show YOU
Now | am determined to speak out. ]
am madly in love with you. l would
sacrifice everything and every one for
YOU. | am desperately in earnest
Promise that you will love me, that
you will even try to love me, and III
Ill marry you tomorrow. No! hear
me further" as Hope attempted to
speak. Just think of the different
life you would lead with me. You
would have society, position. freedom
We might be obliged to pinch at first
but nothing can keep the family eS
tates from me when my father 10
gone; and | could always get money.
Then compare life with a husband
who adores you, with that OF a sort
of upper servant to a cantankerous,
dictatorial, tyrannical old woman like
my aunt Saville. You must not refuse
me, Hope. I'll blow out my brains II
you do" He tried to catch her hand,
which she quickly snatched away,
stepping back pace or two. while she
grew alternately pale and red unde.
the passionate gaze of the eager. young
man.
Now, you must listen to me, Cap
tain Lumley. You have distressed ms
infinitely. You, ought to have under
stood by my manner that | wished to
avoid such an explanation-to save
you. as we'll as myself, the pain II
must cause. 1t is impossible that
could love you as you wish. And it Is
well do not: for there Is no reason
why you should grieve your parents
as your cousin has done his mother.
That need not weigh with you,
cried Lumley. Il wrote to my father
yesterday, and told him l should ask
you. and If you accepted me, as
hoped you would, nothing should pre-
vent our marriage"
How insane of you'll" said Hope
greatly agitated. why could you moi
see that l should never under any cir
cumstances have loved you, we are SO
unlike in every way?'
That's no reason why we should
not be perfectly happy; and see all ]
can give you"
"All you could give has not feath,
er's weight with me. | am profound.
ly grieved that l could not keep you
from this modification. You will find
many good and charming women. who,
II you seek them, would love you we'll;
and will even tell you that have
no heart to give. / am engaged to Q
man l love with all my soul, and ne
one can put him out OF my mind"
fTo ha continued