Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-01-13

cut him to the heart He did not need
to ask her why she had come. 1t was
mere neighborliness, and not for him,
but for his mother. He remembered
the Saturday evening quite clearly
now: Japheths shout; the two men
springing on him; the instant Just pre-
ceding the crash OF the blow when he
had recognized one OF his assailants
and guessed the identity of the other.
1T was no more than right that you
should come" he said, bitterly. "It
was the least you could do, since your
-"
She was moving toward the door, and
his ungrateful outburst had the effect
of stopping her. But She did not go
back to him.
Il owe your mother anything she
likes to ask" she affirmed, in the same
colorless tone.
And you owe me nothing at all, you
would say. / might controvert that.
But no matter; we have passed the
Saturday and have come to the We'd
nesday. Where is Norman? Hasn't
he been here?"
HE has been with you almost con-
stantly from the first He was here
less than an hour ago."
Where is he now?"
She hesltated. There is urgency of
some kind in your business affairs
Your father spent the night in South
Tredegar; and a little while ago he
telephoned for Mr.. Norman-from the
iron works, 1 think" She had moved
away again, and her hand was on the
door knob.
You are in a desperate hurry.
aren't you?" he gritted; though the
teeth grinding was from the pain 1t
cost him to move. Would you mind
handing me that desk telephone before
you GOT"
IF you wish to speak to some one,
perhaps could do 1t for you," she sug-
gested. quite In the trained nurse tone.
If you could stretch your goodwill
Toto my mother-that far" he said.
please call my offlce-number five-
twenty six-G-and ask for Mr.. Nor
man."
She complied, but with only a strange
young woman stenographer at the 9TH
er end Of the wire, word of explana =
ton was necessary. This Is Miss
Dabney at Woodlawn. Mr.. Gordon is
better, and he wishes to say-what did
you want to say?" she asked, turning
tc him.
Just ask what's going on; If it's
Norman you've got, he'll know" said
Tom, sinking back on the pillows.
What the stenographer had to say
| took some little time, and Ardea's col
| or came and went in hot flashes and
| her eyes grew large and thoughtful as
| she listened. When she put the ear
| piece down and spoke to the sick man
her tone was kinder
There Is an important business
meeting going on over at the furnace
office, and Mr.. Norman is there with
| your father" she said. The stenog
some papers Mr.. Norman thinks you
| NAV have, and"
| She stopped in Difference to the vel
low pallor that was creeping like Gu.
rious mask over the face of the mar
in the bed. Through all the strain o.
the last twenty hours she had held her
self well In hand, doing for him only
what she might have done for a sicl
and suffering stranger. But there werC
limits beyond which love refused to bt
driven.
Toni" she gasped, rising quickly t.
go to him.
Wait" he muttered; "let me pull
myself together. I'm weaker than {
| GIRL" he whispered. VINCE NEAR
the thug, hit me lot harder than HI
| ~ t,in Ah
yes; the papers. Will you-will yol
go over there in the corner by the dool
and look behind the mopboard? Yol
will find piece of 1t sawed 30 1t will
come out In the wall behind 1t ther,
ought to be a package"
She found 1t readily-a thick packe
securely tied with heavy twine and {
4 little charred at the corners.
That's it," he said, weakly. Nov
one more last favor; please send Aun
'Phrony up as you go down. Tell heI
l want my clothes"
You are not going to get up?" sh,
said.
"Yes, l must; I'm due this minute a.
that meeting down yonder."
Indeed, you shall do no such insane
thinking of"
'Listen!" he commanded. my faith.
er has worked hard all his life, and he.
right old now, Ardea. If l should fai
him-but I'm not going to. Please senc
Aunt 'Phrony."
She consented finally, and as she wa!
leaving him, she said:
II hope your mother is still asleep
She was here with you all night, am
Mr.. Norman and made her go to bee
at daybreak. If you must go, get ou
of the house as quietly as you can, ant
I'll have Pete and the buggy waiting
for you at the gate"
Ito be continued.)