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About Lincoln County leader. (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987 | View Entire Issue (May 13, 1897)
XpjMMf n Beg ill u A 'I'T'll I) ) I. . i nIlTn M. a A. - -4 A M. .a 4 w M. M. A 111 ill k "If there Is anything especially oh noxious ti me." avowed Miss Murphy, In solemn conclusion, " It is interfer ence Willi 1 Ik- affairs of others: but in tliis rune I sulil to niysi'lf, 'Duly, Mary Anno Murpliy, duty !' " ')!" gasped Jessica. Slic liail sunk back In llit- roso-heribboned ratlan rooki-r in iilli a tremor of dismay. A very chiirinlug room, this suburban parlor, inin which gold liars of sun shine slnnlcd through tlx' half-closed Venetians. Worlliy even of pretty Jessica- II, Willi lis tiled hardwood Hour. Us silver-fox and bearskin rugs, its .Madras-draped windows. Its qiiuint ly inodi-ru mantel of polished nak, its eoccnlrle chairs, lis grotesque tables, lis dainty aquarelles, Its Chinese cabi nets, lis slelii.'er but admirably chosen collection of bisque and Limoges. And surely eye, however critical, could crave no sweeler picture than little Miss Hay made 'n her pale-blue surah lea gown, cascaded with Valen ciennes, and all her bronze-bright rip ply hair braided In childish fashion down her back. Hut Just now the love ly face was curiously colorless, the purple-blue eyes wide and startled under their loll),' lashes. There was silence after that sharp exclamation of Jessica's. Miss Murphy could all'ord to be silent. She hail dropped her small shell and it had ex ploded willi n most satisfactory report. Mm- sal rigidly erect in the conscious ness of duty done, every fold of her black silk visit hit; costume stiff with propriety, every pompon on the brown biogo bonnet bristling will) respoetn liilily. "1 don't believe a word of it!" de clared Jessica, slowly. If liupolllo, the remark was In no de gree Insolent. It wils simply the utter mice of a conviction. Miss Murpliy was not offended. She removed her Kline from a gem of Van Elton's on the opposlie wall to fasten It on the ngl tnied little lady In the rocker. It took home endurance on Jessica's part to sit meekly iiuiler the scrutiny of those fnd- 1,11 y'S -eyes tolerant, placid. lien mill-;, as those of a benignant old cow. "It is true, my ,1ear. lie said it. I heard him with my own ears!" This really was unanswerable. "They were In the front parlor," pur sued Miss Murphy. folding her plump, Ian-gloved hands with aggravating leisure ami serenity. "1 sat sewing Just behind I he porlicro. never would have slaid could only have foretold what was coming. They hud been talking aboiii other things, and w. n fcllont for aw hlli-. Suddenly my Ned blirsi out laughing. 'So you've seen her.' he said, 'ami you dou'i fun.-y r!i 'hV 'Fancy her,' echoed Jack. 1 should say not!' " 'Well':" urged Jessica, siondi!;,'. She would hear it out. she told herself- she would every word of It! "Well, then," slowly, to lielu'hlen by suspense the effort of lier iia'Ta-ive. "Ned said. 'The boys around here nil like her immensely, ltoy Pates says nhe's a daisy!' " "Or moaned Jessica. "Veil must ex cuse Hint nephew of mine, niy d ar: you really must. Ned but repeats w hit he hears, ltesldes, you know, he Is only a boy yet -Just IS. What N, ,1 Mild Is of no importance. Pleas uo on." h She sat erect again, very pale nrd Imperative, Indeed. "If you Insist on heiirlnir" h,n. ugly. "Jack replied, 'Well. 1 don't. I lld Just nl Hint. 1 confess for awiitlo ulie deceived me. lint a few days gave ine enough of her." Xed said: 'Why, we all thought you were In (treat luck to got her.1 i.uck!' cried Jack In an swor. so loud my dear, 1 fairly Jump cd. 'l.uck! Yes. the most coiifomoie.i pleeo of bad luck 1 ever struck!' I am nslmnicd to say, my dear, but to be veracious I must say that hero Neil, unite carried away by his youthfui sympathies, inquired: 'Can't you tret out or It?' And Jack said: 'Confound It. no! That's the worst of It. 1 can't break such n contract with any honor to myself. Hut I only wish some other fellow stood In my shoes Just now. I've promised to take her, and I've got to do it, but it' a deuced bad bargain' oh, my dear Jessica, you're not going to faint!" Jessica put out her hand with a slight, repressing gesture. ".No, Miss Murphy, I am not going to faint. Is that all?" Miss Murpliy was rather disconcert ed. Her shell had not exploded noisily. It is true. Hut now that the smoke was clearing away she. nt whose feet it had been Hung, was nol dead not even wounded. "Yes. 1 believe that was all. for just then some one summoned Jack. Hut as lie went out he called hack to Ned: 'I'll see you at Hryant's to-morrow night and talk this unfortunate blun der over again. He In my study at 10. I'll meet you there.' " "And that really is all?" queried Jes sica, quite her own possessed self again. Miss Murphy started. To once more drop into similes, her balloon, which had sailed up so stralghtly and secure ly at lirst, had suddenly collapsed and was falling with startling rapidity. "I should think." severely, "it would lie quite enough." "F.noughV" airily. "That's It! it's too much! You know an overdose of poi son occasionally counteracts the effect of a lesser quantity, and I think," witli a smile charmingly conlldentlal, "it is something the same way with gossip don't you?" It was Miss Murphy's turn to gasp. Such a girl! Hut then one never could understand Jessica Kay. Miss Murphy thought It was time to go. With the cessation of conversation concerning personal affairs her interest died a nat ural death. She was averse to wading in foreign waters. The Inodorous khj1 scummed over w ith village scandal suf ficed her. She feared aught else. "tiood-by, my dear." with a bewil dered shake of the tinseled tmunet. "I am so sorry I had to tell you. Life Is full of unpleasant duties. I never like to Interfere In oUier people's affairs. Charity.' I always say; 'chnrilv and silence.' If there Is anything l partic ularly detest It is talebearing. Well, as I said, 1 must be going, (lood-by! niy dear. I'm so glad you don't mind." "Cood-by," cordially. "We all thought," pausing at the door for a parting thrust, "that It wus to be not only a marriage de couvenance, but a genuine love affair on both sides." "Indeed!" said Jessica, brlglitlv arch ing her pretty brows. And then at last the door i.,i hev visitor's broad, black-silk back. The mmieucss born of bravado died out of Utile Miss Kay's face. She went slow ly back to the roso-horlbbouod rocker and sat down therein for a good, heart sick, discontented, mortitied, miserable cry. When she had beeti very, very young and charming, and Jack Suther land an awkward lad of 10, their lath ers had planned a marriage In the fu ture. The planning stood, by the way, upon an agreeably substantial basis! looking at the affair from a fmanclai point of view. Soon after .lack's father had died and Jack had gone to live with his mother's relatives in Kngland. lie carried with him the memory of a nalr of uwm.t eyes, for all the world like big, blue, dew-wot forget-me-nots, for wee Jes sica had imnod from her playmate witli a particularly tender and protesting farewell. Twelve year passed. Neith er ehafed-as In novellstie traditions hound-flgalnst the paternal dec! sioll nr their childhood. No fair Kuglish maid en displaced his tlrst love lu Jack's loyal heart. As for Jessica, she had grown to think of Jack as a hero who was coming across the sea to claim her. When she anticipated that coming be fore her mind's eye forth pranced a snowy charger bearing a plumed knight. Hue day. Just two weeks ago It was, she went down to the drawing-room hi response to the servant's aunouuee ment. A gentleman standing In the window turned at her entrance. Ho came swiftly forward, both hands ex tended, his face brlghtenlug with gay udmlratlon. "It Is It Is Uttle Jessica!" She knew him then. Without cur veted no splendid steed, lty his elde wuu uo jeweled scabbard. Around his .neck swung no mandolin. From his shoulder fell no cloak of ruby vel vet. Not stalwart statured was he, iior raven haired, nor flashing eyed. Not the grand creation of her girlhood's sweet foolish dreams, In truth, his riv als would have said, a very ordinary young man. But he had come! Jessica's heart gave a great throb. A true wom an, though, ego, an arch-hypocrite, she put her hand In his with an air of cool surprise, a touch of wellbred reproof in her greeting. "And you are Mr. Sutherland!" Neither had In any way suggested the odd relation in which they tucltly stood to each other. Both felt the chain that bound them, for all its massive golden links a very frail and brittle one in the passionate strength of youthful im pulse. Neither would be slow to fling it off If the bandage proved oppressive, However, it did not. The childish, Ig norant, romantic affection which hnd been smoldering In their hearts since th(! sorrowful parting of the playmates, at a word, a touch, a look, blazed up into a pure and strong and steady llame. Of his courtship Jack Suther land made short work. 1'nttlni nsld" the understanding between their fath ers like the man he was he wooed her for her own sweet sake. Just two nights ago he had told her In his own direct fashion how dearly he loved her. And Jessica well, last evening had come the sapphire ring Unit only lust evening and to-day this. If Miss Murphy's neat little shell had not brought death it had caused pulu aklu to It. "It's the money!" 'moaned Jessica. "It's the horrid detestable money he wants. It isn't me!" And then i face with clear brown eyes and a kind, grave smile arose before her and she broke dow n crying afresh. But after awhile- she sprang up. rub bing two very small resolute lists In two very pink eyes. "I won't see him to-night. And I'll be In the library at 10. And I'll hear what else lie lias to ne. I won't! I won't eavesdrop. Hut I'll look my very loveliest 1 will I will!" And she did. As she came up the parlors at Mrs. Bryant's "small and early" Miss Mur phyalways lirst on the fieldlooked at her in amazement. Quite a bewitch ing vision little Miss Ray to-night, rose lipped, star-eyed, smiling, her slim, dusk draperies of lace trailing softly behind her, a huge cluster of violets at her bosom. It was after 10 before she could escape from her companion and make her way to the library. Her hand on the portiere dividing that apartment from the morning room, she paused. Voices. She didn't intend to eaves drop. Of course, It was unintentional all was said and over so quickly. Kqually of course It was dishonorable, but I think as a rule we are not apt to consider questions of honor with ex treme nicety when our hearts are very sore. "I've decided to take her," Jack's quiet voice was saying, wearily. "It's the only thing I can do now." Ned spoke. "She's .skittish, I know, but (by way of consolation) she may outgrow that." Jessica groaned Involuntarily. Jack glanced toward the curtain. "Well, drop the subject." In a lower voice: "Keep It dark, like a good boy. I don't waut people to know 1 am such a young fool as to be taken- In by a bag of bones, all paint and drugs." Jessica was plump ns a partridge, and her complexion was a "bloom" pat ented by nature's self. The morning room was unlit save from the hall. Thank goodness' for that! She felt her self growing faint and dizzy. Was that Jack who talked so could It be her Jack? "O. come now!" laughed Ned, "you know you are exaggerating. She's not quite as bad as that!" "Pretty nearly!" ruefully. "I don't so much mind her skittlshuess I could break her of that, I flatter myself but she has a terrible temper!" She must not faint, Jessica told her self frantically. O. she must not! Was that dark thing beside ber in the shad ow of the portiere a fauteuil. She sank down on It heavily, weakly, exhausted ly. Horror of horrors! It at first suc cumbed a second to her weight, then moved, protested with vigorous ener gy, shrieked. All faintness banished. Jessica lenped to her feet, ber soft, quick cry of alarm mingling with that uiuUled roar of rheumatic agony. "That's aunt!" gasped Ned. "Jessica!" cried Jack. He strode forward and flung aside the iwrtlore. The light from the library poured Into the shadowy morning room. It fell on Jessica standing Just within, very white and trembling, and It showed on the floor a large and ungrnceful heap of crushed drab silk and bugles, dis ordered "front." and grewsome groans. For a moment they stood and stared -speechless. But Miss Murphy kept on groaning. "What is it nil about V queried Ned bewllderedly. helping bis aunt to rise. "I I," faltered Jessica, "sat down on Miss Murphy!" "What?" cried Ned. "We were eavesdropping." confessed Miss Murphy, with venomous candor, "and Jessica took me for a footatooi ami " "My dnrllngr whispered Jack (no not to Miss Murphy) "I thought vbi I heard your voice you were hurt or ' Jessica flamed up, "How dare you? Stand back, sir! Here's your ring." She tugged brave i ly. but it fitted well. "I have heard in I what manner you speak of me. No," I disgustedly, "don't appear astonished! Koeall your conversation of yesterday I morning with Ned Sales." Ned stared at being thus abruptly referred to. Jack looked dazed. "1 did not intend to hear such another con versation as that which had been re peated to me. but I did. If I'm I'm," the rose crimsoning in her cheeks, "skittish," bringing out the hateful word with a jerk, "and and a deuced bad bargain," slowly, "and If I've got a terter here's your ring!" She had wrenched It off at last. But Jack did not take it. His dumb dismay had turned to uproarious mirth. It was well a noisy polonaise was in progress in the drawing-room. He laughed. He kept oil laughing. Sud denly the whole ludicrous misunder stnudiu.t bursting on Ned lie struck in with a very howl of delight, and they f"l! into each other's anus like a couple of crazy boys and supported each other and laughed. " But, recollecting Jessica standing there, Sutherland explained, between shameful reluse8 Into laughter: "It was a horse. I thought I knew all nbout horseflesh. I knew nothing. I have to take her- the Idiocy Is mine. I fondly fancied I had found a Maud S. Jim Smlley's famous nag could beat her. I gave a thousand for her. She's worth and, now you understand!" For Jessica had sprung forward, mouth and eyes three sweet, remorse ful "O's!" "Jack Jack! And how I talked just now!" all riotous blushes. "I must have, after all, a a the kind of a tem per you said the horse had." "I'll risk It," laughed Jack. Heedless of Mrs. Bryant's small nephew who had entered and stood stock still, an exclamation point of In quisitive delight; heedless of Ned, who clung lu silent, spasmodic convulsions to the portiere: heedless even, this rash young man, of Miss Murphy, that an cient virgin, who. rigid and frigid, glowered at him in an access of scan dalized modesty, he took his sweet heart In his arms with a good, long, loving kiss, und thus adoringly address ed her: "Doubted me, did you? You con temptible little wretch!" New York Dispatch. Longevity and Weeping by Compass A Magdeburg physician, according to the Lyon Medical, who died recently at tie age of 109, attributed his remark able longevity to his constant practice of Bleeping with his head to the north and his feet to the south. He consider ed this iKisltlou most favorable to the magnetic currents which ruu constant ly toward the uortli pole, and Increase the energy of the vital principle. A correspondent of Dr. Felix Bremond "found Unit a kind of nervous Irrita tion to which he was subject ceased when he placed the head of ids bed a little east of north. This position of the head of the bed brought him more sound and peaceful slumber, and with such regularity that when he wished to rise earlier than usual In the morn ing, all he had to do was to change the direction of the head of his bed, when his sleep became lighter nud of shorter duration. Dr. Bremoud himself, how ever, found that the direction of his body made no difference to the sound ness of his slumbers, provided he went to sleep lu a comfortuble bed, at the usual hour and nt the end of a day of active work." Boston Medical and Surgical Journal. , Where the President Are Burled. The burial places of our Presidents are widely scattered. Waslilugtou lies at Mount Vernon; the two Adamses are burled uuder the old church at Quincy, Mass.; Jefferson rests nt Mon tlcello; Madison's grave Is at Montpe ller, not far from Montlcello; Monroe's remains lie in the Richmond Cemetery; Jackson's grave is lu front of his old residence, "The Hermitage;" Van Bu ren was burled at Klnderhook; Harri son, at North Bend, near Cincinnati; Polk, at Nashville; Taylor's remains are near Louisville; Fillmore lies lfl For est Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo; Pierce wns burled In Concord, New Hamp shire, and Buchanan at Lancaster Pennsylvania; Lincoln's grave Is neat pnngnem, Illinois; Johnson's at (Jreeuvllle; Gnrtleld's at Cleveland ! Ohio; Grant's at Riverside, and Ari thur'a at Albany.-Washlngton letter.! " Unanswerable. Tat 1 tell you the ould f rinds are al-1 ways the best, after all, and I can ' prove it. i Dennis How T I Pat-Where'll you find a new frlnd ' that has shtood by you as long as the I ould ones baveT Cleveland Leader. 'Orae than Crime. ! Fuddy-Football was a crime In En-1 gland In the reign of Henry VIII " ' Duddy-The way they play it now ls ' a blunder, which ls worse than a crime ' dosiod i ranscript. Couldn't Help it. TrlWet HOW lllrt nr.n,HI. iL j ..... 1 1 u c l toe reputation of being such a liar? Dicer-He usl to be the United ' States weather forecaster uere.-New i York World. ew She "What ifo you think of the waj I speak German?" He "Oh, It Ucau the Dutch." Yonkers Statesman. Cynic I can't see why n man wholi happy when single should ever mar ry. Friend He never does. Ptu-k. He You girls seem to be awtullj fond of sweets. She And you men seem to be awfully fond of sours.-0or. uell Widow. Steru father I hear you were out gambling last night. Is it true? Oaj youth No. sir; 1 was aheud.-Nt York Journal. Beggar Please, sir, I'm so exhausted I cuu t gel my breath and (ientle- man Here's five cents; go and buj one. Harlem Life. Mr. New Hub What does It mean when a bride promises to obey? Mm New Hub Simply that she prefers not to make a scene. Puck. "Treddle is jealous of his prerop tives, isn't he?" "What makes jou say so?" "He got angry the other uiglit and told me not to be a fool." New York Sun. "Do you think Skinner can make i living out there?" "Make a living! Why, he'd make a living on a rock In the middle of the ocean if there was another man on the rock." Tit-Kits. Mrs. Spat Your husband is au in ventor, I believe? Mrs. Spotter-Yen. Some of his excuses for coming home late at night are in use nil over the country. Philadelphia North Ameri can. "Won't you take this seat?" said the gentleman In the cur, rising and lifting bis hat. "No, thank yon," said the girl with tlie skates on her arm; "I've biien skating, and I'm tired sitting dowu." Yonkers Statesman. "If I didn't love my husband, I'd stnb him to death!" exclaimed the warm blooded lady from New Orleans. "I wouldn't," said the Chicago woman; "I'd get a divorce and stick lilin for alimony." Town Topics. "And how did he die?" asked the lady who bad come West to Inquire after the husband she had lost. "Kr by re quest, ma'am," said the gentle cow boy, as mildly and regretfully ns possi ble. Indianapolis Journal. "Who Is that young woman near the other end of the table talking about correct tnste lu art?" "Which young woman? There are several." "The one with the wooden toothpick In her mouth." Chicago Tribune. "Do you see anything coming our way?" asked the morning star of a companion. "Not yet," was the reply; "but I see a servant below there who Is about to light her kitchen Are with kerosene." Yonkers Statesman. "It's perfectly absurd, this clamor about our hats. People who can't see over them would better not go to the theater." "1 know; that's what I told my husband, and he said, 'All right, we won't go'; and we don't." Bazar. Simonsby I have u chance to marry two girls; one Is pretty, but a mere but terfly, as It were, and the other, though plain, is an excellent housekeeper. Mr. Kussell of Chicago Take the pret ty one first Indianapolis Journal. "How long have you been on this route?" usked the drummer of the conductor on a primitive Southern railroad. "Ten yeahs, suh." "Indeed? You must have gotten on several miles south of where I did." Detroit Free Press. He "Now that our engagement Is ended, 1 suppose we should return each other's letters?" She "I suppose so. And, George, while we are about It, why not return each other's kisses?" Engagement renewed on the spot. Boston Transcript. A young student lately presented himself for examination and Ignomin lously failed. To his family, anxious to hear of his success, he telegraphed thus: "Examination splendid; profes sors enthusiastic. They wish for a sec ond lu October." Tlt-Blts. He "Do you remember when first we met? The dew was on the grass, the air was full of summer scents, and " She "Yes; and now there's no summer, no dew, no grass and no sense. By the way, have you beard of my engage ment?" Detroit Free Tress. Ethel "Oh, dear me! I don't know what to think! Algy Rsked me last night if I wouldn't like to have some thing around the house that I could love, and that would love me." Edith "Well?" Ethel-"Well, I don't know whether he means himself or whether he ls thinking of buying me a dog!" Puck. Mrs. Yeast "I wish I could think of something to keep my husbnud at home at nights.'" Mrs. Puncheon "Get him a bicycle." Mrs. Yenst-"That would take him out more than ever." Mrs. Puncheon-"Oh, no, It wouldn't! My husband got one the day before yester day and the doctor says he won't be ouf for a month." Household Worda