Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1914-09-11

OH, yes, am very IOn0 OF como,
he found himself replying mechanical
ly to Mrs. Harrigan. He gave up Rao
as hopeless so far as coming to his
rescue was concerned. He began,
despite his repugnance, to watch Nora.
And all the while Mrs. Harrigan was
talking and he was replying; and she
thought him charming, whereas he
had not formed any opinion Of her at
all, nor later could remember a word
of the conversation.
Teal" bawled the colonel. The verb
had its distinct uses, and one general
ly applied 1t to the colonel's outbursts
without being depressed by the feel.
ing OF inelegance.
There is invariably some slight hes.
itation In the selection Of chairs
around tea table in the open. Nora
scored the first point OF this singular
battle by seizing the padre on one
side and her father on the other and
pulling them down on the bench. 1t
was adroit in two ways: 1t put Court
landt at a safe distance and in nowise
offended the younger men, who could
find no cause for alarm in the close
proximity of her two fathers, the spir-
itual and the physical. A few mo-
ments later Courtlandt saw a smile
of malice part her lips, for he found
himself between Celeste and the in
evitable trump.
Touched" he murmured, for he
was thorough sportsman and appre-
ciated good point even when taken
by his opponent.
Il never saw anything like It," whls-
pered Mrs. Harrigan into the colonel s
ear.
Saw what?" he asked.
Mr. Courtlandt can't keep his eyes
off of Nora"
II say!" The colonel adjusted his
eye-glass, not that he expected to see
more clearly by doing so, but because
habit had long since turned an affecta.
tion into movement wholly mechan-
ical. well, who can blame him?
Cad! II l were only twenty-five or
thereabouts."
Mrs. Harrigan did not encourage
this regret. The colonel had never
been rich man. On the other hand,
this Edward Courtlandt was very rich ,
he was young; and he had the entree
to the best families in Europe, which
was greater in her eyes than either
youth or riches. Between sips of tea
she builded fine castle In Spain.
Abbott and the Barone carried their
] cups and cakes over to the bench and
sat down on the grass, Turkish.wise.
Both simultaneously offered their
cakes, and Nora took n lady finger
from each. Abbott laughed and the
Barone smiled.
"oh. daddy mine!" sighed Nora
drolly.
"Huh?"
Don't let mother see those shoes"
whats the matter with EN-? Ev
erybody's wearing the same"
Yes. But don't see how you man
age to do 1t. One shoe string is vir
gin white and the other is pagan
brown"
i've got nine pairs OF shoes, anC
yet there's always something the mat
ter" ruefully. 81 never noticed wher
put them on. Besides, wasnt
coming"
That's no defense. But rest easy
I'll be as secret as the grave"
Now, for one would never have
noticed II you hadn't called my atten
tion," said the padre, stealing a glance
at his own immaculate patent feathers
"Ah. padre, that wife OF mine has
eyes like a pilot.hsh. I'm In for It."
Borrow one from the colonel before
you go home," suggested Abbott.
That's not half bad" gratefully.
Harrigan began to recount the trials
Of forgetfulness.
Slyly from the corner OF her eye
Nora looked at Courtlandt. who was
at that moment staring thoughtfully
into his tea cup and stirring the con.
tents industriously. His face was a
little thinner, but aside from that he
had changed scarcely at all; and then.
D'Nauot AhNo' WV g'hAo lNAN sN
little mark upon his face, tlnge OF
unreasonable anger ran over her. Men
have died and worms have eaten
them." she thought cynlcally. Perhaps
the air between them was sufficient.
ly charged with electricity to convey
the impression across the intervening
space: for his eyes came up quickly,
but not quickly enough to catch her.
She dropped her glance to Abbott,
transferred It TO the Barone. and final.
ly let II rest on her father face. Four
handsomer men she had never seen.
You never told me you knew Court.
landt," said Harrlgan. speaking TO
Abbott.
Just happened that way. We went
to school together When was little
they used to make me wear curls and
wide collars. Many's the time Court.
landt walloped the school bullles for
mussing mo up. | don't see him much
these days. Once in while he walks
In. That's all. Always seems to know
where his friends are. but none ever
knows where he ls."
Abbott proceeded TO elaborate some
OF his friends exploits. Nora heard,
as II from afar Vaguely she caught
a glimmer OF what the contest was
going to be. She could see only n IT..
tie way: .still, she was optimistlcally
confident Of the result. She was ready.
| Indeed now that the shock OF the