Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-10-16

Has he given up?" asked Abbott,
his voice strangely unfamiliar in his
own ears.
"A man can struggle just 80 long
against odds, then he wins or becomes
broken. Women are not logical; gen.
orally they permit themselves to be
guided by impulse rather than by rea-
son. This man am telling you about
was proud; perhaps too proud. 1t is
. shameful :act. but he ran away.
True. he wrote letter after letter. but
all these were returned unopened.
Then he stopped"
"A woman would a good deal rather
believe circumstantial evidence than
not. Humph!" The colonel primed
his pipe and relighted It She couldn't
have been worth much"
Worth much!" cried Abbott. What
do you imply by that?"
mo man will really give up a
woman who is ally worth while. that
IL. Of course, admitting that your man,
Courtlandt, is man. Perhaps. though.
It was his fault. He was not persistent
enough, maybe bit spineless. The
fact that he gave up so quickly pos
sibly convinced her that her impress
sions were correct. Why, I'd have
followed her day in and day out. year
after year: never would have let up
until had proved to her that she had
been wrong"
"The colonel Is right" Abbott ap-
proved. never taking his eyes off Court
landt. who was apparently absorbed in
the contemplation Of the bread crumbs
under his fingers.
And more. by hook or crook, I'd
have dragged In the other woman by
the hair and made her confess"
II do not doubt It. colonel" re-
sponded Courtlandt. with a dry laugh.
And that would really have been the
end Of the story. The heroine OF this
rambling tale would then have been
absolutely certain OF collusion be-
tween the two"
THAT Ia like a woman" the Barone
agreed. and he knew something about
them. "And where is this man now?"
Here" said Courtlandt. pushing
back his chair and rising. 81 am he"
He turned his back upon them and
sought the garden.
Tableau!
Dash mel" cried the colonel, who,
being the least interested personally,
was first to recover his speech.
The Barone drew In his breath
sharply. Then he looked at Abbott.
Il suspected It." replied Abbott to
the mute question. Since the episode
Of last night his philosophical outlook
had broadened. He had lost Nora.
but had come out OF the agony Of love
refused to fuller manhood. As long
A. he lived he was certain that the
petty AFFAIRS Of the day were never
again going to disturb him.
Let him be-" was the colonel's sug
gestion, adding a gesture in the dlrec.
ton OF the easement door through
which Courtlandt had gone. Hes as
big man as Nora is woman. II he
has returned with the determination OF
winning her. he will"
They did not see Courtlandt again.
After 4 few minutes OF restless to-and
froing. he proceeded down to the land
ing. helped himself to the colonel's
motor-boat. and returned to Bellaggio
At the hotel he asked for the duke
only TO be told that the duke and
madame had left that morning for
Paris. Courtlandt saw that he had
permitted one great opportunity TO sliT
past. He gave up the battle. One
more good look at her. and he would
90 away. The odds had been toe
strong for him. and he knew that be
was broken.
When the motor.boat came back, Ab
bott and the baron made use OF II also
They crossed In silence, heayy.hearted
On landing Abbott said: 1T IL
probable that shall not see you again
this year. am leaving tomorrow fol
Paris. It's a great world. isn't II, where
they toss us around like dico7 Some
throw skies and others deuces. And II
| hhb beh' tou uhu 4 hafc iobh tNo Ou'
OF three"
II shall return to Rome" replied the
Barone. My long leave OF absence IL
near It's end"
what In the world can have hap
penedf" demanded Nora. showing th'
two notes to Celeste. Here's Donalt
going TO Paris tomorrow and the Bar
one 10 Rome. They will bid US good
by ut tea. don't understand. Don
aid was to remain until we left fol
America, and the Baroness leave doei
not end until October"
Tomorrow" dim-eyed. Celeste 70
turned the notes.
Yes. You play the fourth ballad'
and I'll sing from Madame. II will b.
very lonesome without them" Nort
gazed into the wall mirror and gave |
pat or two 10 her hair.
Whom tho men arrived, II was I'm