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

to live on. made Colonel Duxbury
lose 1t, and"
Not another word. If you please. I
can't do your errand in this. and 1
wouldn't If could
You think I ought to be generous
and give 1t to him. anyway. do your"
Il don't presume to say" was the
cool rejoinder when you have come
fully to your right mind, you will know
what to do, and how to go about it."
He crumpled the check. thrusting 1t
into his pocket, and made two turns
about the room before he said:
I'll see them both hanged first!"
Very well; that is your own affair"
He fell to walking again, and for y,
full minute the silence was broken only
by the murmur of mems voices in the
library adjoining. The Major had COM
pany, 1t seemed.
This Is good-by.' Ardea; I'm going
Tomorrow Can't we part friends7" he
said, when the silence had begun to
rankle unbearably.
You've hurt me-" she declared turn
ing again to the window.
you've hurt me, more than once"
he retorted. raising his voice more than
he meant to; and she faced about
quickly, holding up warning finger.
''Mr. HennieA- and Mr.. Young Dick
son are In the library with grandpa.
They viii hear you"
Il don't care. I came here tonight
with heart full OF what few good
things there are left In me, and you
you are so wrapped up in that beggar
that I didn't kill"
''Hush!" she commanded, impera-
lively. Grandfather has not heard:
he knows nothing. and he must
new"
The murmur of voices In the adjoiu-
Ing room had suddenly become a storm,
with the smooth tones of Mr.. Henniker
vainly trying to allay It. In the thick
Of It the door of communication flew
open and a white haired, fierce NOUS
tached figure of wrath appeared on the
threshold. For a moment Toms boy
lsh awe of the old autocrat of Deer
Trace came uppermost and he was
tempted to run away. But the wrath
was not directed at him. Indeed, the
Major seemed not to see him.
What's all this I'm hearing now fo'
the ve'y first time about these heah
low down. schemin' scoundrels that
want to mix thei-uh white-niggeh
blood with ouhs?" he roared at Ardea,
quite beside himself with passion
Wasn't 1t enough that they should use
my name and rob my good friend Ca
leb? That snivelin' young houn' dog
must pay his cou't to you while"
The Majors face had been growing
redder, and he choked in sheer poverty
of speech. Moreover, Tom had come
between; had taken Ardea in his arms
protectlngly and was fronting the fire.
brand Dabney like man.
That's enough, Major" he said, de-
family. You mustn't say things you'll
be sorry for after you cool down a bit.
Miss Ardsa Isl like the king: she can
do no wrong"
There was gasping pause, the
sound Of big man breathing hard,
followed by the slamming Of the door,
and they were alone together again,
Ardea crying softly, with her face hid
den on the shoulder of shielding.
"Oh, isn't 1t terrible?" she sobbed;
and Tom held her the closer.
Never mind" he comforted. "You
know he will be heartbroken when he
comes to himself. You are his one eve
lamb, Ardea."
Il know" she faltered; but o Tom!
1t was so unnecessary; so wretchedly
unnecessary! lists more than two
whole months since-since Vincent
Farley broke the engagement, and
He held her at arms length to look
at her, but she hid her face in her
hands.
Broke the engagement" he exclaim-
ed. almost roughly. why did he do
that?"
She stood before him with her hands
clasped and the clear welled eyes meet
ing his bravely.
Because / told him told him l
could not marry him without first tell
ing him that loved you, Tom; that I
had been loving you always and In
spite Of everything" she said.