Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-02-10

rambling they had conn at length to
the old moss grown footso which had
been newly-felled tree In the former
time. Tom went first across the rustio
bridge, holding the hand of ecstatic
thrillings, and pausing in mid-passage
that he might have excuse for holding
1t the longer.
1t was during the mid passage pause.
and while she was looking down on the
swirling waters sometime OF terrifying,
that Miss Dabney said:
How deep Is 1t. Tom? W b real
ly have drowned If you and Aector had
not pulled me out?"
It's a thankless thing to spoil an
idyl, but you could have waded out"
She made the adorable little grimace
which was one of the survivals of the
yesterdays, and suffered him to- lead
her across.
And l have always believed that I
owed my life to you-and Hectorl" she
said, reproachfully.
You owe me much more than that"
he affirmed broadly, when they had sat
down TO rest-they had often to do this,
lest the way should prove shorter than
the happy afternoon-on the end of the
bridge log.
Money ?"-1ippantly.
No; love. If 1t hadn't been for me.
you might never have known what love
is"
1T is high gift" she said, soberly;
the highest of all for woman. once
l thought l should live and die with
out knowing it, as many women do.
wish l might give you something as
great"
Il am already overpaid." he asserted.
For a man there is nothing so great,
no influence so nearly omnipotent, as
the love OF q sooi woman. II ,s the
lever that moves the world-what little
it does move-up the hill to the high
planes"
Silence while she gathered the sweet
smelling tangle in her lap into some
more portable arrangement And az
terward, when they were drifting slow
ly homeward in the lengthening shad-
ows, small asking.
"Mr. Morelock is coming out to-mor-
row to hold service in st. Johns, and
shall go to play for him. VIII you 80
with me, Tom?"
He smiled out of the gold and sap
phire depths of lovers reverie.
One week from the day after the day
after to-morrow-and 1t will be the
longest week-and d-two- days of my life.
dearest-your grandfather will take
you to church. and l shall bring you
away. Won't that be enough?"
She took him quite seriously.
Il shall never be Felicita Young
Dickson, and drag you," she promised.
But. o Tom! l wish"
II know" he said. gently. You are
thinking of the days to come; when the
paths may diverge-yours and mine
ever so little; when there may be chill
dren to choose between their mothers
faith and their fathers indifference.
But 1 am not Indifferent. So far from
1t, 1 am only anxious now to prove
what was once so bent on disprov-
Ing"
You yourself are the strongest
proof" she interposed. You will see
it. some day."
Shall 1? hope so: and that Is an
earnest hope. And really and truly,
think l have come up bit-out of the
wilderness, you know. l am willing TO
admit that this is the best of all pos
sible worlds; and I want to do my part
in making 1t a little better because
have lived in It Also, I'd like to be-
lieve IN. something bigger and better
than protoplasm."
Her smile was of the kind which
stands halfway in the path to tears,
but she spoke bravely to the doubt il
his reply.
You do believe, Tom, dear; you have
never seen the moment when you did
not. 1t was the doubt that was unreal
When the supreme test came 1t was
Gods hand that restrained you; yon
know 1t now-you knew 1t at the time.
And afterward 1t was His grace that
enabled you to do what was just and
right. Haven't you admitted all this
to yourself?"
They had crossed the white pike TO
the manor-house gates and were turn
ing aside from the driveway into the
winding lawn path when he said:
ITO myself, and to one other" Then.
very softly: Il sat at my mothers knee
last night, Ardea, and told her all there
was to tell.'
Ardea's eyes were shining. What
did she say, Tom, dea-or is 1t more
than l should ask?"
There is nothing you may. not ask.
She said-it wasn't altogether true, I'm
afraid-but she put her arms around
my neck and cried and said: For this
my son was dead, and Is alive again;
he was lost, and is found"
She slipped her arm in his, and there
was a little sob of pure joy at tho
catching Of her breath. The moon wns
just rising above the Lebanon cliff
line, and the beauty of the glorious
night dawn possessed her utterly. All,
1t was good world and generous,
bringing rich gifts to the steadfast
Instinctively she felt that Toms little
confession did not require an answe.;
that he was battling his way to the
heights which must be taken alone.
So them came in the sacred hush OF
the young night to a great tulip tree