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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Oct. 5, 1889)
110 WEST SHORE. her window Imogene could hear what ever might be said out there, ami not winning to be present when her father told his new, if he should have any, she direct ly tat down by the oK'n casement' concealing herself Ix-hind the heavy lnee curtains; nor had she long to wait. The Professor's step Hotimled light and clastic, an he walked along the corridor to their little parlor. It waa empty, and he, too, stcppi-d out on the balcony, expecting to we both Vecder and Iinogene. Tlie former sprang up nervously at bin approach. "What new? You have news, I am mire, you look no." " Yen, 1 have; but where in Iinogene?" " I have not Keen her Mince I came in, she may be in her riNiin. Hut tell me your iicwh quickly." " Patience, my good fellow. Well, I went lirHt to the directory and there found name, Imni ih-k and lo cation of I.ee Mason. From tliere I repaired to bin store, and found him a iiiont pleasant, and 1 should nay prosperous, young merchant. I made known my errand, ami he took me at once to bin sister, Mildred drowning, your old love; and now, Lawrence, I have two choice and abounding bit of information to com municate, one that especially interests you, the other, me, and I don't know which to tell first." A woman, white an death, sank on herkueeNou the other nide of the bice curtain swaying ho innocent ly near them. Her breath came in snatches, and she felt that she must cry out or choke, but by a mighty effort she did neither ; she luiiHt bear. " IWt keep me in usicnHe longer than neces sary," VrsItT exclaimed. " Then, my friend. I will state at once that Mildred Itrowning is a widow young and handsome," and Imogi'iie heard no more. A low moan from the girl's room interrupted the exclamation of mingleil surprise and something akin to delight that burst from Veeder'i lip. Instantlv the 1'rifeniHir cronmil to tl Nn window and drew anide the curtain " Hie has fainted," he announced, pushing the mAi higher and stepping into the room. " fall a servant." When ciuwiouneM returned. Iinogene found her wlf alone with a lady whom acquaintance hc had lately formed nt the hotel. " I wtit cveryUly away," the Utt. r naid reassur ingly, as she mw the anxious glan.v the girl ,ast aUmt the moiu. " I hate a lot of awkward ineu and blundering .r. vants about licn I take a notion to faint." Aw laughing "Then you will ,, I ! right vertigo 1 think." ' A little later Imogen u drying for dinner, and though her tlng.rs trrmble.1. th.rr a bright red spot on either cheek, and a determined look under neath the long yellow eye lashes. " I will win him yet," she muttered, " or fuil in th effort. I am playing for a high stake, if I win ill right if I fail, 1 shall still be Prof. Gettwood's heire, and there is 'as good fish in the sea as ever werecaugh(' I'm told." The Professor was surprised to find her dressed fur dinner, and as bright and smiling as if nothing hid occurred. " Only a dizziness or something of the sort," the explained indifferently. " I heard your voice outiidt and started to look out when you know the rest bet ter than I." After dinner the two were a long while alone in their parlor, and when once more the girl sought her mom, she was whiter than ever. " Not Grace Gettwood, after all still a lone name less waif. Lost in one brief hour, father and lover," she murmured as she closed and locked her door. " He says I may be his daughter if I will, that be will treat us alike ; but I know that there will lie a differ ence, wide as the world, and I cannot endure it after having Urn the only one for a year. Hut it is my only chance. Going back to the Irving's means to be poor and unknown. I will stay and take for mj motto : ' IMik out for number one.' " There was a sarcastic smile on her lips as she mw the two men depart to pay their afternoon visit ; but it died away and she sat pale and motionless, think ing, planning and scheming. " If only I had one friend, some one to aid me," she thought, " but there is no one unless Fate plays a party into my hands." To b ooQUDiud. Satisfactory arrangements have been make for the const ruction of the Great Northwest Central railway, to run from llrandon, Manitoba, on the line of tlie Can adian Pacific, northwesterly to the Peace river country, and eventually across the H.x-ky mountains to the Pa cific ocean. An English syndicate has taken hold of the project with a capital of flO.OOO.OOO, and having satisfactorily settled all difficulties about the land grant, will take up the work where it was dropH by the Canadian company. Rails for the first fifty mile are on the way from England, and that much of the road will I complete! this season. Next year it will be extended to Hattleford, on the North Saskatchewan. It will run through the most fertile and productive re gion of the Canadian territories, and its land grant will Wome enormously valuable in a few years. It is el vtcd that satisfactory arrangements will be made for running trains of both the Canadian Pacific and Northern Pacific Ver this line. .