Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-10-27

ed with blanched cheeks Tomorrow
tomorrow evening" will answer
you"
"A lovers quarrel. darling?" Mrs.
| Irving studied Celia's pale face next
morning.
mo. Cousin Alexandria, Mr.. Lind.
say is coming tonight" Celia spoke
DULY
Then run out for a walk after
lunch" responded that brisk match
maker, relieved You need color"
Who would have thought of rain on
so brilliant June afternoon? Celia
stepped hastily in the waiting-room OF
the big railroad depot which she was
passing and sat down behind a little
white-haired lady in mourning The
woman who possessed delicate conf
dence-inviting face. was talking to a
tired-looking man
And this Is the first rain you have
seen In four years! My dear sir.
where have you beenT'
I've been where there's no mois.
ture but frost" responded the man.
IT'S miserable place up there to
live, madam" he went on II would
not send my worst enemy to Alaska.
My friends we're sorry to part with
me. but glad to see me get away-glad
to see any one leave that awful coun-
tryl"
Il hope you brought fortune back"
said his companion.
| ,r,,
Gold is not piled up In the streets
there as we foolishly believe before
we 60 to see. am a small man. yet
my hands," he held up a pair of brown
hands with enlarged joints and palms
my hands are large. Work hard
was worse than useless. Besides
she" He caught himself up.
"You left some one behind?" His
listener hazarded.
MY sweetheart" he answered. but
she never wrote to me after her peo-
pie sent me away. suppose they per-
suaded her to marry another. should
not have come back. but was home
sick for better things"
And you are going-where?" she
supplemented.
I'm going back where threw up
my work for will O. the wisp. to
begin all over again"
Your train,- madam!" The maid
lifted the travellers bag.
Goodbye and God bless you. my
son" she said. You will write to
me? I. l. too. am alone in the world. "
She passed on. He turned for last
look Celia who had listened. clinch-
ing her hands until the nails cut into
her delicate palms, looked straight in
to the mellow brown eyes of Buell.
Searcy. The room whirled before her.
Searcy reached her in one stride.
"Celia-is 1t you? Why did you not
write to mef quivered on his aston.
ished lips.
II did," she faltered. three times.
Buell.. and when you did not answer, I
thought, o Buell.. l thought you were
dead!"
"And IL thought some rich man
had claimed you. Has he. Cellar"
u0 girl HubuSu n It'll hdh hohSu
me to marry him last night am to
answer him this evening"
The mans worn face grew a shade
paler. "I never expected to see you
again. haven't any right to say q
word. for I've come back as poor as !
went away. but now that I find you
free, Celia, don't tell me-"
Her soft hands hurt under the grip
of his strong ones. People we're star
Ing at them.
II must go home." she said. drawing
her hands away gently; "the rain is
over and the sun is out"
He slipped her arm In his and look.
ed into her eyes.
II want to know" he persisted. as
she drew him hastily toward the
street, III the sun is out for me or
has set forever. Celia. you were will.
ing once to take me penniless-would
you be willing now?"
Celia smiled through the tears that
sprang to her eyes.
81 would" she said simply, without
any ones permission this time"
And Searcy wished that the travel.
ing public could be blotted from the
face of the earth that he and she might
be for one instant alone together.
| lnuulsItIve Hostess,