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

she seen them so amiable toward each
other They were positively friendly.
And why not? The test OF the morn.
Ing had proved each of them to his
own individual satisfaction. and had
done away with those stilted manner
iems that generally make rivals ridlcu-
lous In all eyes save their own. The
revelation at luncheon had convinced
them Of the futility OF things in gen.
eral and Of woman in particular. They
were, without being aware of the fact,
each a consolation to the other. The
old adage that misery loves company
was never more nicely typifed.
II Celeste expected Nora to exhibit
any signs Of distress over the ap-
preaching departure, she was dlsap-
pointed. In truth, Nora was secretly
pleased to be rid of these two suitors,
much as she liked them. The Barone
had not yet proposed, and his sudden
determination to return to Rome eliml-
mated this disagreeable possibility.
She was glad Abbott was going be-
cause she had hurt him without inten-
ton, and the sight of him was, in spite
! OF her innocence. constant reproach.
Presently she would have her work,
and there would be no time for loneli-
ness.
The person who suffered keenest
was Celeste. She was awake; the ten
der little dream was gone; and bravely
she accepted the fact. Never her agile
hngers stumbled, and she played re-
markably we'll, from Beethoven,
Chopin. Grieg, Rublnstein. MacDowell
And Nora, perversely enough, sang
from old light opera.
When the two men departed, Celeste
went to her room and Nora out upon
the terrace. II was after FIVE. No one
was about. so far as she could see
She stood enchanted over the trans
formation that was affecting the noun
tains and the lakes. How she loved
the spot! How she would have liked
to spend the rest OF her days here!
And how beautiful all the world was
today!
She gave frightened little scream.
A strong pair OF arms had encircled
her. She started to cry out again, but
the sound was muffled and blotted out
by the pressure of mans lips upon
her own. She struggled violently, and
suddenly was freed.
III were a man." she said. you
should die for that"
1T was an opportunity not to be
ignored" returned Courtlandt. 1T is
true that ! was fool to run away as
] did, but my return has convinced me
that should have been as much fool
had remained to tag you about, beg.
ging for an interview. ! wrote you
letters. You returned them unopened
You have condemned me without q
hearing. So be II. You may consider
that kiss the farewell appearance SC
dear to the operate heart" bitterly.
! He addressed most OF this to the
back Of her head, for she was already
walking toward the villa into which
she disappeared with the proud air o.
some queen of tragedy. She was {
capital actress.
A heavy hand fell upon Court
landt's shoulder. He was irresistibl,
drawn right about face.
Now. then. Mr.. Courtlandt," salt
Harrigan. his eyes blue and cold a
Ice, perhaps you will explain?"
With rage and despair in his heart
Courtlandt flung off the hand and an
swered: 81 refused"
"Ah!" Harrigan stood of few step
and ran his glance critically up an,
down this man OF whom he ha,
thought to make a friend. You're
husky lad. There's one way out o
this for you"
$50 long as II does not necessitat,
any explanations" indifferently.
"In the bottom OF one OF Norat
trunks is n set OF my old gloves. Their
will not be anyone up at the tenniI
court this time OF day. II you are no
a mean cuss. II you are not an ordlnar.
low-down imitation OF a man, you'll
meet me up there inside OF five min
utes. II you can stand up in front o
me for ten minutes. you need no
make any explanations. On the othe
hand. you'll hike out Of here as fas
as boats and trains can take you. AM
never come back"
Il am nearly twenty years younge
than you, Mr.. Harrigan."
"oh. don't let that worry you any.
with truculent laugh.
VERY we'll. You will find me there
After all. you are her father"
you bet ami"
Harrlgan stole into his daughter
room and soundlessly bored into III,
bottom OF the trunk that contained tn,
relics OF past glory. As he pulled then
, forth, n folded oblong strip OF parch
ment came out with them and fut
tered to the floor; but he was to,
busily engaged to notice II, nor woul'
he have bothered II he had. The bot
tom OF the trunk was Uttered with oil
letters and programs and operati
scores. He wrapped the gloves In
newspaper and got away without be
ing seen. He was as happy as bo,
who had discovered an opening In tn
fence between him and the apple OF
chard. Ho was rather astonished 4
sec Courtlandt kneeling in the Glove
, match hunting for n fnur.lanf clovef