Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1913-06-03

with a little backward step Of alarm
"Yes. it's me-" said Joel Webster
crisply. Il was out In the storm. and
/ noticed the lamp wasn't lighted
Z What's the matter?
Its none Of your business what's
the NATTER called an angry voice
from the adjoining room Dora. Is
that fresh Webster boy In there?'
Yes. it's me-" repeated Joel for the
second time. He drew near the com
municating door and looked in on the
recumbent form Of large old man,
who appeared to be suffering great
pain What's the matter-hurt your
self?~ asked Joel bluntly.
Broke my Leg" growled Peter Lang
don ungraciously.
where's Marshall?'
Went ashore this morning and
hasn't come back Drunk as lord,
reckon groaned the lighthouse keep
er. Dora here tried TO get the lamp
going. but she couldn't, bless her
heartr'
I'm going to light the lamp for you,
and when it's going good I'll come back
and make you comforta bIe," announced
Joel In a matter OF fact tone.
Peter Langdon half raised himself in
bed and shook his fist at the young
man. Don't you dare touch my lamp,
Joel Webster. Didn't l warn you of
these here premises a week ago? Didn't
say | wouldn't have you around
hereF'
Joel folded his arms and looked the
irate keeper in the eye. Yes, you told
me all that. Mr.. Langdon. but that
hasn't got anything to do with lighting
the lamp tonight"
1T hasn't. eh? Why not%
Because what you said to me then
has got to do with Dora. The only
reason came tonight was because
saw the light was out and | thought
you were in trouble" Joel spoke firm
ly and without one backward glance at
the girl who stood behind him.
"You leave that lamp alone" COM
manded Peter wrathfully. You needn't
try to play the good Samaritan with
me-"
You mean you're going to turn me
out in this storm again?' asked Joel .
quietly. f
"If you could get here you can get .
away" growled the keeper. (
''Oh, father" cried the girl, please .
don't speak like that" /
you must hate me a lot. Mr.. Lang
don" said Joel slowly. IF f"knew the
reason why Id be better satisfied"
He turned abruptly away and opened
the door that led to the spiral stairway.
I'm going to light the lamp" he said
over his shoulder and. without waiting
for Peter Langdon's snarling remon-
STRANGE, he closed the door and ascend
ed to the lamp room. In few mo-
ments the four burners were sending
long red rays through the driving
storm A fog horn blared duly from
the distance. 1t was very cold and very
lonely up there, and Joel longed to go
down to the CHEEKY warmth of the
room below, but he hesitated.
Peter Langdon needed him sorely.
Some one must relieve the injured man
Of the agonizing pain Of his broken
limb. Joel thrust prejudice aside and
returned to the lower room and ap-
preached the bedroom door.
"You won't be blamed because your
lights not burning" be announced
cheerfully Now. Mr.. Langdon. II
you'll let me, think can fix that leg
of yours so you'll be comfortable till
doctor gets out here In the morning.
You know I've been quite handy about
helping set broken limbs. and
Get along with you" ordered Peter
6ercely. II don't want you to come
near me-"
Then I'll 90 ashore and fetch a doc
tor tonight" and Joel picked up his
hat aud shrugged into his oilskins. In
an instant he had opened and closed
the outer door and was gone into the
stormy night.
Dora Langdon sank down beside the {
bed and hid her face in the blankets
"Oh. father" she cried, why did you
let him go? Perhaps be will be drown. $
ed"
What II he is?" demanded the man !
Hercely. Would you carer"
There was little silence while the '
girls shoulders heaved with emotion, 8
"Of course I'd care" she said in T
mufiled tone.
A look Of pain wrinkled Peters harsh t
features. ''Then-then you must like 4
him lot" he said hoarsely. q
II do, father" she sobbed :
81 thought-maybe you'd be satisfied .
with Just me-" be said In a low tone
Il lost your mother when you was 4
born. and ! set store by you. Dora,
maybe you'd care enough =,
about me to stay with me, but I've got
10 give you up TO him. hate the E
roung jackanapes!" :
"Oh. father. dear. don't think | shall n
owe you any lessr' cried Dora. throw y
ng her arms around his neck. Don't
'ou understand how anybody can care
or more than one person at a time? =
When you loved my mother. couldn't
'ou love your own mother toor' <
Peter Langdon swallowed a lump in 6
lis throat aud muttered under his ,
,reath. Dora could not hear what be
aid. but she felt that his mood was
Don't worry about Joel.
ather." she pleaded. you know be
aid the other day that be would new 6
r marry me without your consent, %
ou see you can keep me a prisoner
ere in your tower all my life II you
Tish."
Would you be happy and contented