Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1910-03-11
that I nhould mako tha desnera,a At.

that should make the desperate at
tempt. l was therefore introduced 10
you by two OF my names-Hope Des-
mond. l was called Katherine Hope
Desmond after my mother, who was
Uncle Desmond's only sister. How |
had the courage to brave such an ex-
pertinent cannot now understand, for
my heart"-she pressed her hands
against her bosom. and, dlsengaglng
herself, made step nearer her moth
er-in-law-"seems to flutter and fall
me. But the desire to retrieve the
wrong l had wrought sustained me. |
did not tell Hugh what | had under
taken until l had been some weeks
with you. He was much alarmed, and
begged me not to risk too much-to
leave as soon as / could, If the strain
was too great; but he did not forbid
me to stay. So l stayed. How dread.
full the beginning was Yet, though
you were cold and stern, | could bear
1t, for you are too strong to be suspi
cious, or petty, or narrow, and l dared
not let myself fear you; and them
grew to know you had heart. That
Is what makes this moment so terri.
BILE; fear your disapproval more than
your displeasure. Now, can you, will
you, forgive me?"
Mrs. Saville was silent; her brows
were knit, her eyes downcast; yet
Hope dared to take the fine small hand
which lay on the arm of the chair.
Mrs. Saville did not draw it away. The
lookers-on held their breath. Then
she drew Hopes to her, and gently
stroked 1t. 81 think" she said, slow
ly, that you are the only creature that
ever understood me. l forgive your
husband, and accept you-not because
his disobedience is pardonable, but be-
cause, when l came back from the
jaws of death, the first sight that met
my eyes were your tears of Joy at my
recovery. Yet, had l died intestate
you and your husband would have
been far better off than you will be;
and you knew it. You are the first
that has ever given me what gold can
not buy"
Mother" cried Hugh Saville, in g
tone of wounded feeling, Il always
loved you as much as you would lei
me-"
Perhaps you did I believe yot
did," said his mother.
Hope had sunk on her knees, an
kissed the hands which held hers
then her head fell forward, and Hugh
sprang forward to lift her.
"She is quite overcome" he exclaim
ed, almost Indignantly "She is but
ghost Of her former self. And h
placed her in an easy-chair, where sh
lay with closed eyes.
Happiness will be rapid restora
tive" said Mrs Saville, kindly. Nov
what punishment Is to be dealt out t
you, traitor that you are?" she con
tinued, turning to Mr. Rawson. "T
enter into a conspiracy against you
trusting client! Shall I degrade yov
from the high office Of my chief ad
wiser? l must hold a council, and tn
council-board shall be my dinner-table
Bring your daughter to dinner thi
evening, and we shall settle many mat
ters. And, Hope, II you feel equal Il
the task, write to Richard, invitin,
him to dinner to meet his new sister
in-law."
Very few fellows have so good
right to be proud of wife as have,
cried Hugh, exultingly. Our old na
val stories of desperate cutting-out ex
ploits are poor compared to the endur
ing courage that upheld Kate, as I a.
ways call her, through the long strait
of her bold undertaking."
"She has enlightened me, at al
events" said Mrs. Saville. Now g
away to the drawing-room and hav
your talk out. The doctor insists tina
complete change Is necessary 70
Hopes recovery; so take your wifi
away tomorrow for your long-delaye
honeymoon. But, remember, wheneve
you are pursuing your profession o.
the high seas, l claim the companion
ship of Mr.. Rawsons pleasant prc
tegee."
Dear Mrs. Saville, I will be you
loving daughter so long as you care +
have me near you" cried Hope; and
no longer hesitating, she folded he
formidable mother-in-law in her arms
| (The end.)