Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1911-05-12

upon you. have been so selfish in
my grief that l took all your kindness
AZ q matter Of course. l came Eith
you because have learned to love
you In these last awful days when
you were so dear to me. But l see
that l should not have taken advan.
tage of your generous offer. l think
1t better to slip away before / see you
again, because you would try to make
me stay, and / could never feel right
about 1t after what your son said.
Thanking you so much for all your
kindness, am, as ever, Lillian. P. S.
| will write as soon as / get home"
When Robert looked up and his
mother saw his expression of shame
and remorse, she couldn't utter a
word of condemnation.
Il will go and bring her back" he
said, going out the door.
Robert" she called after him.
She won't come. For all she looks
SO small and delicate. she is strong
willed and proud"
"She shall come" he declared.
squaring his broad shoulders.
| Never had he harnessed so quickly,
and never had the surprised mare re-
ceived such reminders to keep up the
speed. Robert groaned as he looked
at the hot. dusty highway over which
she must have walked.
He drove through the town to Elk
River. scanning the hotel entrance and
shops In vain. He went on to the
station and hitched his mare back Of
the waiting room which was. he noted,
still locked He went on to the bag
gage room. On a bench, outside, in
the hot sun sat girl, delicate, beauti-
full, grief-stricken.
He strode up to her.
See here" he said, towering
above her. Il am your cousin, Robert
Marshall / have come to take you
back home"
She smiled family.
It's good of you, and know
Cousin Hannah sent you, but"
81 didn't give her time to send me-.
l came as fast as my horse would
bring me as soon as l read your
note. You must come with me-"
NO" she said with sweet and firm
resolution. "You were right in what
you said"
But l want you-as much. If not
more. than my mother does"
you are hospitable like her, and
you are trying to make amends. 1t is
useless to change my purpose"
Look here" he cried impetuously,
If you don't come, shall pick you
up In my arms and carry you away in
spite of yourself"
| She lost her lily look.
But you will come" he continued
confidently. when show you the let
ter ! got from my mother"
He thrust 1t into her hand. When
she had read 1t, she looked up ques-
tioningly.
Don't you see." he said with half
groan. II thought from that letter
that you were child of six or there
abouts. never dreamed of your be-
ing grown up, and when / thought of
my mother at her age undertaking the
care and responsibility of a child, I
couldn't bear the thought. But, now,
it's different You can give her Just
what the house needs, and what we
pine for. the presence of young
woman. The favor will be on your
side, If you will come"
Really and truly?" she said en-
treatingly. looking up into the dark,
earnest eyes.
Really and truly. Come"
He led her to the phaeton and
helped her in. When they had driven
a short distance, he said when l
think of your long, hot walk, SO soon
after your journey. am so remorse-
full"
She didn't answer Looking down he
saw that she was asleep He put his
arm gently round her and drew her
head against his shoulder. He drove
up to the veranda where his mother
stood anxiously awaiting.
Il have brought our little girl
home. mother" he said tenderly.
The little girl opened her eyes and
smiled happily.