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About The west shore. (Portland, Or.) 1875-1891 | View Entire Issue (Nov. 23, 1889)
342 WEST SHORE. caused you inconvenience, perhaps trouble. Your face tells me so whenever I meet you." Mario had waned to rebel at her imprisonment. " I think you mean to be kind to me," she said, with excited pleading. " You who are bo strong could not purposely wiHh to injure one no weak and friend less as I. 'lease, sir, please," entreatingly, "when you meet mo do not speak to me. Please pass me by. I thank you for all your past kindness to me. I'leane do not think I am ungrateful; I am a lady's maid, and every time you speak to me I am forced to suffer hu miliation." " You will suffer no more from my thoughtless liens," he said. " I have hojied that I could get your confidence, and that you would learn to look on mo as a friend who wished you nothing but happiness. Some times I have thought that you were not happy here, and that jK-rhapH I do not know how to say it ilon't take offense. What I mean is, that I am able nnd it would give me great pleasure if you would let me assist you in any way." . It was certainly singular, after his recent confession to Alice, but this looked much like " seriousness " on his part. Marie's cheeks were tingling under his ear nest gaze. " You are very kind," she said, in a low voice, " and I thank you. Now will you please let me go? " Ilawkes Hushed, lie had forgotten that he still held her hands. " Rut you haven't promised," he said. "I will never again sis-ak t you if you so wish it, only say that you will let me, or," with a sudden thought, "my good old friend. Mr. (irillis. if you prefer, know of your whereabout. If you will come to him for counsel. I know more of the world than you, and if you will trust In me in us, I will say. if you prefer-you may ho saved much unhai.piness. Mow shall I ask it?'' ho had again taken her hand and was sm-aking so rapidly that she could not mistake his anxiety for her welfare If you were my sister I could guide you. 1 oil Ix-lieve that I wish you nothing but good? " bend ing over to hear her answer. " Yes," unhesitatingly. m-An'! Wi" -v,m Pnm'iw'? Will you apply to Mr t.rillis if you are in need of assistance or counsel' you m JoJ " IU' lln', my kin'1 Mn' U,war1 "I will think of it," Hhe answered. " You are very kind U) wish .no gMl, and now you will please let me go. (hkm night. " (iood nit'llt." lie AIIMU'fthul tit. ii. ..I. I ' I 1 it genngly Headed her. He watched her till nheente 1 the 1'attern mansion. ' An hour later Mr. (iuMthurst and his daughter were alono m the library. '""Mii.r , " Were we successful?" the father asked a con-m-ious smile on his tine face as he drew an el'c 2 and mot on h..r t...,.l t. tMi c,uur " To what do you rvfer?" he ask.nl, sinkimr into v. .u hip u.i mai you have sent for me ? " .hi u, TY,,,m,,,,, ,he Ji l-nt. smithing his white mustache and eving her. 8 Vii L..., -l. .. 'it . . vu iiv i nave sent Tor you," he mu V, u- There . a reckl, i lor way of s.aking that tbm ' P'rnP8 v o"'t think so afore I H angered him. - Uu had better brensonahle Alice" ' Mi In a half pleasant, half defH av- iHtb, ye re neglectin' of yer business." he continued, "you know that I am in financial diffi cutties, and that I must liave assistance." " Speak out," she interrupted, as she rose to her feet. " There is no further use for hypocrisy today Our guests have gone and are well deceived. I have played my part. Now that we are alone, speak out if ii is in you 10 uo any uung uireci. I OU Want to know I if I am ready to carry out my part of the agreement" ' Hers was a regal beauty, as she stood, defiance in ' every feature. " I refuse to marry Mr. Pattern," after 1 she had vainly awaited speech from him. " You want the control of his money. I may get along with the ami as uesi i can. He had been watching her narrowly. Her growing stubborn expression denoted the expectation of an an gry scene. She was taken aback at the quietness of his voice when next he spoke. " If there is any one else who has the money There is," eagerly, " I see it in your face." " I can not tell yet." She had fallen back into the chair and rested her forehead on her hand. All her anger had gone and her attitude beseeched consid eration. " It is too soon," she said, w let us go on as we aro for a little time longer. He has money, and to-night" " Hesmke to you?" " Yes, but I have nothing definite to tell. I'll know more soon. Wait a little longer." Unsteadily she turned to go, then, guiding herself by her hand on the wall, she left him. ItoWt Barr, the teamster, was releasing his horses from the wagon in his yard in Railwich. A strong, coo brcezo was coming over the marsh, and the ani mals i stretched their necks and breathed long, satisfy ing draughts, then shook out their matted, perspiring hair and trotted out to the pump under the chestnut trees in Railwich square. Bob gave the horse last un hitched a hearty stroke on the flank, which startd him off at a lazy, swinging canter, and was walking toward the barn when a woman came from the house, the woman was nearly as tall as Rob, and large of frame. Her pleasant face was given a kindly, benevo lent expression, by silvery, soft, gray hair. (( Jell mother," Rob exclaimed, cheerily. iou look tired. Rob," in such a low, even voice lis one would expect, considering the face. "Has it lteen a hot trip ? " A scorcher," placing his empty water can in his mothers hands. "The grass along tho roadside is actually burned up by the sun, and tho dust ischok Hello, Hill!" to his partner, who had come uirougli a door in tho shed. " Your team's all put up. I suppose?" " More'n an hour ago," Bill answered. Hill did nt appear m a communicative frame of mind. He strode about the yard, his hands deep in his pockets. At ength !, stuped before Bob, who had continued with his chores, and said ' bit hev'"?""1 g0t " ol,jection8 to my talkin' toyel " That' turned ,,UUB iam8 you 10 bhk, iwim