Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-07-17

Finally, having beaten Bill down to
the lowest price he ever had been
known to take-the lowest price any
pan could haul person for at the
Corners, and hold up his head, she got
into the vehicle with great glee. AL
ready her depression had dropped
from her and the quick blood of youth
bounded again in her veins.
AS she alighted from the bus she
paralyzed Bill by dropping dollar in
his grizzled paw and declining to take
the change he reluctantly counted out
for her.
Then she tripped into the old tav-
ern and was assigned to her great,
barn-like room from which she
emerged almost Immediately and took
walk across the old fields filled with
so many beautiful memories, and away
down by the creek, where her hap
piest moments had been spent
where she had won the one true love
of her life-and lost him. 1t was a
delightful and melancholy afternoon.
Somehow his presence had seemed to
be actually beside her and all the ten
der moments of the old courtship had
recurred over and over again as she
passed the spots where they had
taken place. Once or twice she had
turned and spoken to him as though
he actually were beside her.
Arriving back at the tavern, she
threw off her shawl and resolved to
go into the old parlor from which
there was perfect view of the wind.
ing river. The landlady was busy, so
she went along by herself, knowing
the way full well-indeed, how many
dances she had attended at the old
tavern and In that identical parlor.
She was surprised to find the door
closed-she never had seen It closed
before. Opening the door, she stepped
in and nearly ran directly into a
casket standing in the middle of the
room. She recoiled with cry-but
not before she had caught sight of the
face beneath the glass.
Merciful heaven, 1t was his face
the face of Duncan Mitchell. the ole
sweetheart she had won and. lost. But
oh, how old and careworn and sad
and the locks on the temples. how
gray and thin. lnvoluntarily she wen
down on her knees beside the casket
She tOuchpd tba placo ohova tho % nc
1t moved. She slid 1t clear open an,
leaning forward pressed her lips OF
those of the lifeless clay.
Presently in came good Mrs. BinG
ham. the hostess. and all full of con
triton that her aristocratic Rues
should have run into such q chambeI
OF horrors. No, the guest was not a
all offended or alarmed-only curious
Who was the man in a coffin in a pub
lie house? Had he no friends? How
came he here?
All, the story was short. He formerly
had lived here, but had gone away
many years ago and his people had all
died since. lie had been member
Of the life saving service on the great
lakes and had met his death in q
heroic effort TO save the lives of 9th.
ers. He had ample funds for burial
but left the request that he be buried
In the old town, where felt the only
Joy ever knew" as the paper found
on him said.
And there's romance" whispered
Mrs. Bingham, coming close to her
guest and purring. THE paper reads
And II there should be one who gave
me the one glimpse OF heaven ever
had and then shut II from me-should
this one know Of my death. want her
to know that the girl she saw me with
In the old orchard on that terrible
June night, and whose presence and
whose kisses | could not explain. was
my sister. Had explained. II would
have ruined my sisters life and that
OF her husband. As II was, Il ruined
mine-and possibly Margaret's. Bu
| was bound In honor-and afterward.
Margaret would not let me explain
! want her to know, however. that ne
other woman's lips have touched min,
and that ! die with her name on m,
lips and in my heart Amt It jus
like a story?"
Was II moan the landlady heard
She turned quickly. but the patriciar
face OF the guest made no sign.
When they buried him the coffin wa
literally swamped with roses-wher,
they came from nobody knew excep
that they came by express and Dor
the mark Of great florist.
did you enjoy yourself at the oil
tavern. my dear7" bantered Mr.. Man
son 4 few days later when his aristC
cratic wife appeared at the breakfas
table.
"Hilariously." replied Mrs. Manson
tcopyrisht 1914. by Daily Story Pub Co.
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