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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (April 1, 1886)
120 THE WEST SHORE. She would oomo down to breakfast next morning, probably, twouty-five again; but If bIio was in ono of those caltn, even, undiHturbml moods, alio would bo just m charming. Dr. Hall fult a little aa if thia now being waa a credit to his own powers of reaurrection. Mias RoWts was at hor hnjipioHt at breakfast next day. ' Sho was already arm tod quite away from hor uaunl plana, the center of a little group of ladios, and alio was talking easily and happily. Tlio doctor watched her while he ate hia breakfast There waa a look in his eyes of late as if ho wore dream inga happy droam, but still not a part of ovory-day living. Hut that, perhaps, waa because ho was con aoioualy getting well, Mid enjoyed tlio unusual leisure, knowing it could not last They came out through the hall together, a dozen of them, all laughing and talking at onco. As usual, he found himself beside hor. BIio hod on a white dress, and golden rod in the broaat of it Hhe was not coquot tish nor girlish; she was simply enjoying herself, with a soft forgetfulness that, perhaps, alio had not known for years. They sat together talking merrily, when a carriage from the oarly train drew up. " A new-ooiner, just aa evoryone is going ?" Dr. Hall wutohod the proceeding idly. ISut aa the door opnnod and a young man stepped out, he started a little. A curious change passed ovor his face an ex preMHion of strong aelf-oontrol, as if he had received a auddmi blow and would not lietray the shock and pain. He rose and wont slowly down tho stops. "Hollo, Goorgo 1 You're looking fine, man;" and as they came toward tho door, "Alice was gotting uneasy, and sent me to look after you." Dr. Hall turned toward Misa RoIhtU. " Do not forget that yon are to walk with me in an hour." It was the first she had heard of it, but she simply awMMiUxL The young man gavo her a wide-eyed, acru tinixing stare as ho passed into tho house. Ko just sat and waited. I do not think she thought much. Hhe was conscious that something had happened, or was attout to bapon. Homo of tho others camo and sKka to her, but she paid little attention. He came afW awhile, and sho wont with him. There were few remarks alx.ut nothing, a kind of sac rifice to tho proprieties, till they were out of night of the house. They stopod at tho na-ks where ho had told her about Lis Southern experience. "I am (foing away, Mias Roberta, my wife's brother has come for mo." She said it over after him " Your wife's brother." There was a whita, strained l(Kk on hia face. " I wanUd you to hear it from me, raUier than from stranger. I ought to hare told you awner. You will Hot Unuk that 1 have been regardless of your feelings that I bar selfishly exposed you to remark. My life lias ua sunshine in it I Lava Jl0wd myself to breath fresh air and stand in the light for awhile. It is all over now. I am going back to prison. ' I wanted to die down there in that hell out of which I have just come, aud I could not It will nut Le any fetwior living now." He had gone on and on, as if he dreaded hearing her voice. It was the first outbreak of hia life. He had takon his punishment without a sign of flinching all these years; without even acknowledging to himself that he needed pity. Now, it seemed to him as if the world must needs stop moving because his courage had failed him. She looked up at him when his voice stopped. " Yes, I wish that I had known," she replied in a dull way. He gazed into her face a minute, a look of deadly surprise and pain came into hia own. Whatever it was that he saw there, his next words were more a groan than a speech. "I never thought of that" "I do not suppose you did," quietly. " Shall we go back, now ? " What more was there to be said between those two ? Not another syllable passed between them till they reached the house. The morning's arrival was uneasily pacing the veranda. Hall presented him to Miss Rob erts. He had faith in her nerve. She greeted him with quiet grace. " You are late in coming to the shore. We have had a very dolightful summer." " Business brought me, I shall go away immediate ly," with a glance at Hall. Ho had a weak, good-natured face, a face that might easily be bad, in an irresolute way. Miss Roberts won durod if his sister's was like that He was thinking that sho waa much older not nearly bo pretty as he had fan cied her at that first glance. Hall did not go into the house. The two men walked away togother. At the very spot where Irene Roberta had sat just a fear moments before Brainerd paused. " You've brought evil news, of course. Wait a min ute." He turned away and went a dozen paces down the shore, and back again. "Now," he said, through his clenched teeth. "Alice I" "Yes, go on." "You must come back. We can do nothing with her. You've been gone now almost four months. Stacy is back agaia" Hall ground his tooth with a smothered groan. "You'll oome back, won't you?" Brainerd said weakly. " Come back to what ? A disgraced name a house that is perdition to that that " ' Sue is my sister," with feeble defiance. " Yea, she is your sister," quieting suddenly. Til go baok with you, Joe."