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About Independence enterprise. (Independence, Or.) 1908-1969 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 20, 1909)
The Fighting Ctiaoce. t By ROBERT VY. CHAMBERS. IV-pynslil, !, by Kobwl W, Curat), nt. ! wondi-r if you know Howard yurrir." she Bald. After a Htud's besttatiou be re-plU-d: "Yes. a little. Everybody doe. "You do know bltuV "Only at tin- elub." "Ob. the Lnur ."The I.euiti and tbe latrons." Preoccupied, drhiug with careless, almost luattcutlre, perfection, ah She U-mu to renllxe that site k little afrr.M of t,uarr:er' opinions, and lit opinions were always Judg ments. However. Grace Ferrall had thought it proper to ak him. nnd that meant aorta! Htwidotlon. A far at that went. Kb abut was perfectly ready to a ! -solve h'm If he needed It. "1 wiik "wondering" be mid. looking :ip t'i eiK'oiinter her clear eyes, "whim thoi ffht idly of bir twenty-three year, j li-me that la over there.' Woudcring bow life could have pased a tjulckly, leaving tier already strand ed ou the shoal of an eTigitf'in ut to marry Howard yuariier. Then her ttuiiiclits. errant, wandered Imlf the rld over Ix'fore they returned to SI ward. a. id v. beu at leutfib they did. nd, uieuuliii; to l elvll, tihe spoke aaiii of his aeuiiulntanee with Qunr rl'T at the PntroouM club, the -lib lt- aclf lieiiitf KtithVlciit to settle SShvard" latUK iu eer.v t oiiiuiuiiit.v. "I'm trylua to remember wliut It is 1 linve beard about you." she oontln ed amiMlily. "Yni are' Ah oild expression In bis eyes ar reted her long eumijrb to note their color aud expression, and she eon tinned pleasantly: "You are Stephen Si ward, are you not? You . see, I know your uaiw perfectly well. Her straight brows contracted a trifle. She rove on, tts compressed, following fen elusive train of thought whkb aijtiel.v, persistently, coupled hla name a 1th something Indefinitely nnpleas- twt. And she could not reconcile this ith bis appearance. However, th ,.:lu of unlinked Ideas which aha pur red liegan to form the semblance of p chain. Coupling his name with Qunr flcr's and with a club aroused uie in - cry. Vagiie uneasiness stirred ber to glimmering comprehension. Siward Sicpheu Siward? One of the New York f i wards then one of that race Nui'deuly the truth flashed upou ber -the crude truth, lacking definite de- 5s 'Iteverly Plunk's shooting box. Itlack Fella." e replied, nodding toward the vast pile of tl:i-khh rocks agnlnHt the -iky. upon which sprawled a heavy Ktone house Infested with chimney. "Plank? Oh. yes." lie smiled to reineiutier the batter lug blow rained iiKn the rampart of aoclety by the master of Blnrk Pell. But the anille faded, and. K'ancln at bltn, the girl was surprised to sea the autitle change In his face tha white, worn look, then the listless apa thy, which all at ouce to ber hinted of somethluff graver than preoccupa tion. that ShotWr noune?" be asked s they came to the crest of the hillock tK fween them aud the sea. "At Hist. Mr. Siward." she said luock lugly. "an. I uow your troubles are nearly ended." "And yours. Mlas Landis?" "I don't Ljiow." she murmured to her self, thinking of the telegram with the faintest misgiving. Theory bnd .almost decided ber to answer Mr. Quarrler's suggestion with a "Yes." However, be was coming from the lakes In a day or two. She would decide definitely when she bad discussed the matter with him. 1 wish that 1 owuad this dog." ob served Siward as the phaeton entered the macadamized drive. I wish so, too." she said, "but be belongs to Mr. Quarrler." w hisper"!; "ti'otcb or IrUb, air?" then physical! bitby, Biutally uua set tha crjital paraphernalia at bla wakatisd, sentimentally lucrsdulooa, citxiw. . tuully luaiaut of any tuaatar paaaloa ll said something alsuit tba salt and conventionally drilled, ber beauty air casually. The girl gawd medlta- and sweet temper bad carried ber lively nt space. The sound of wbeela on Ibe gravel outside aroused ber from a slleuca whlrlt bad Uh uiie a brown study, aud to Siward presently she said. "lUra endeth our llrnt reudeivoua." Theu let ua arrange another Ira- lly on lb frothy crest of bur Orel sou over the sltglbla and Ineligible alike, leaving ber at Iaoi a rathe tired and brvathlesa girl iu lo.s w Ub plviisur aud the world bkb trvatvd I but so well, The death of ber mother abroad bad mediately." be aald, stirring tha ice la made little lioprvitatuu upon ber, ber hi glaa, ( utule, Major Uelnether( basing carvd I ne girl fliNHUfmi oiiu who eperw- for li;T since tier father a death, when kite was ten year old. Ho, allhougb the scandal of bwr mothers self exile bad been iu a ii.imniire voudoned by tartly marriage to tha man for whom she bad left everything, ber daughter bnd g.-owu up Ignornut of any partic ular feel mg for a mother aha eould scarcely remember. However, she wot black aud went nowhere for the secoud winter, during whl. h (hue she learned a great deal coiiierulug 'be unconveulloual p-ocllv Itle of the vrotnou of ber ntc aud fauilly. euo 'gb to Impress ber so soli l ously that ou an exaggerated Impulse she bad come lo one of ber character Intl. decisions. That decl ioii as to break the uu wi .ory record at the JJrst Justlttable opportunity, aud the opportunity cam Iu the sha)e of Quarrler- as though wedlock were actually the sanctuary which uu alarmed nation pretends It to bet Now, approaching the threshold of a third and last season ami having put away her almost meaningless uiourn- lls feet at once, so carelessly, o good ng. there bad stolen luto her sense of humoredly acipilescent that without I aecurltT sometbliiit Irksome In the ny rease at all she hesitated, aroiulsa abe bad made to give Quarrkr 1 had meant to abow you abj. j , d,)flnl muttW9, tefora winter. the cliffs, the kennel aud stables. Cm j Perhaps It had beeu the lack of lit sorry." she coucluded. lingering. terest In the people at Shotover, er- Pm awfully sorry." he rejoined with- bapa a mental review of ber ancestors' ot.t uicaulug anything In particular. ' capricious records, perhaps a cbarac- Tbat waa the troutile -whatever be said terlstlc impulse tbat bad directed a apparautly meant so much. ! telegram to Quarrler after a midnight With the agreeable sensation of be-1 confab with Grace Ferrall. latlve eye. "I shouldn't exactly kno what to da with you for the next hour If I dldu't abandon yon." "Wbj Ut.licr to do anything with me? Why even give yourself the trouble of deserting uie? That solves tb problem." "I really don't mean that you are a problem to uie, Mr. Siward." she said, amused. "1 uieau that I am going to drive agalu." I see." No; you dout see at all. There's a tele-mim. I'm not driving for pleasure." Hie had not meant that either, and It iiuuoyed ber tbat she had expressed herself Iu s'icb terms. A a matter of fact, at tha telegraphed request of air. Quarrler she was going to Illuek Fells Crossing to meet bis train from the taken and drive him back to Bhotover. The drive, therefore, waa, of course, a drive for pleasure. I see." repeated Siward amiably. Perhaps you do." she observed, ris ing to ber graceful height. He was oa TWO I A Stephen Siward. tail, lacking circumstance and color and atmosphere merely the raw and ugly truth. Had he looked at her, and he did once, he could have seen only the un rufflea and very sweet profile of a young girl. Composure was one of the . ii 1 -.i at. a had laafnail waa f vrhan she chose. "Miss Landis," he said. "Mr. Siward?" very gently. It was ber way to be gentle when generous. ' "I think," he said, "that you are be ginning to remember where you may have heard my name." "Yes, a little." She looked at him with the direct gaze of a child, but the lovely eyes were troubled. His smile was not very genuine, but he met her ga::e steadily enough. "It was rather nice of Mrs. Ferrall to ask me," he said "after the mess I made of things last spring." ' "Grace Ferrall Is a dear," she re- : plied. After a moment he ventured, "I sup pose you saw it in the papers." "I think so. I had completely forgot ten it. Your name seemed to" "I see." Then listlessly, "I couldn't i have ventured to remind you that I that perhaps you might not care to be I ao amiable" s j "Mr. Siward," she said Impulsively, j "you are nice to me! Why shouldn't ( I be amiable? It was it was I've ; forgotten just bow dreadfully you did behave " "Pretty badly." "Very." "They say so." "And what Is your opinion, Mr. Si ward?" "Oh, I ought to have known better.' Something about him reminded her of a bad small boy, and suddenly, in spite of her better sense, in spite of her In stinctive caution, she found herself on the very verge of laughter. What was It in the man that disarmed and invited a confidence scarcely Justified, It ap peared? What was it now that moved ber to overlook what few overlook, not the fault but Its publicity? Was It his agreeable bearing, bis pleasant badi nage, bis amiably listless moments of preoccupation, bis youth, that appealed to her, aroused her charity, ber gener osity, her curiosity? And had other people continued to accept him too? What would Quarrler Cilnk,. aL bin. any fine- aX Slintmar? HOUSE of native stone built Into and among weather scar red rocks, one massive wing butting seaward, others nos Ing north aud miuth among cedars aud outcropping Isdgea, the whole silver gray mass of masonry reddening under a wesie:i;:g sun, every dormer, every leaded diamond pane aflame this was Shotover as Siward first beheld It. As the phaeton drew up under a pll Iared porte cochere one or two servants appeared. A rather imposing specimen bowed them through the doors into the hall, where In a wide chimney place the embers of a drift wood fire glim trsered like a heap of dusty Jewels Bars of sunlight slanted on wall and rug, on stone floor and carved stal.-- cu::e, on the bronze foliations of the railed rrallary n'.'ovo. where, la the golden gloom through a high window, Bun tipped treetops against a sky of azure stirred like burnished foliage in a tapestry. 'There is nobody here, of course," observed Mb Landis to Siward as they halted in front of the fireplace. "The season opens today in this coun ty, you see" she shrugged her pretty shoulders "and the women who don't shoot make the first field luncheon a ! function." I She turned, nodded her adieus, then, i over her shoulder casually, "If you ! haven't an appointment with the sand ! man before dinner you may find me In the gunroom." "I'll be there In about three min utes," he said. "And what about this dog?" looking down at the Sagamore pup, who stood before him wagging, attentive, always the gentleman to the tips of hist toes. Miss Landis laughed. "Take him to your room If you like. Dogs have the run of the house." So he followed a servant to the floor above, where a smiling and very orna mental, muid preceded him through corridor and into that heavy wing of the house which fronted the sea. "Tea Is served in the gunroom, sir, said the pretty maid and disappeared to give place to a melancholy and si lent young man, who turned on the bath, laid out fresh raiment and, whis pering "Scotch or Irish, sir?" present ly effaced himself. Before be quenched his own thirst Siward filled a bowl and set it on the floor, and it seemed as though the dog would lever finish gulping and slab bering In the limpid Icy water. "It's the salt air, my boy." comment ed the young man, gravely refilling hi.- own glass as though accepting the excuse ou his own account Then man and beast completed ab lutions and grooming and filed out through the wide corridor, around the gallery and down the broad stairway to the gunroom, an oaken vaulted place Illuminated by the sun, whene mellow lights sparkled on glass cased rows of fowling pieces and rifles, oa the polished antlers of shaggy moos beads. Mis Landis sat curled up in a cush ioned corner under the open casement panes offering herself a cup of tea. She looked up, nodding Invitation. He fojUii & place beside ber A. servant; ig regretted she leisurely gloved her self, thou walked through the gunroom aud hall. SI want strolling beside her. The dog followed them aa they turn ed toward th door aud passed out across the terraced verauda to the driveway, where a tnndeui cart was drawn up, faultlessly appointed. Quar rler's mania was tandem. She thought It rather nlcesf ber to remember this Sbe Inspected tbe ensemble without risible Interest for a few moments. The wind freshened from the sea, flut tering ber veil, and she turned towurd tbe east to face it. In the golden splendor of declining day tbe wbite sails of yachts crowded landward ou the last leg before beatiug westward Into Blue harbor. A tsiunll white cr.:ier steaming south left a mile long stratum of rose tinted smoke bunging parallel to the horizon's plane. The westering sun struck sparks from ber bright work. They bad turned their backs to the taudeni. The grooms looked after them, standing motionless at tbe horses' heads. "Mr. Siward, this is too fine to miss," she suld. "I will walk as far as the headland with you. Please smoke If you care to." The breeze blown conversation be came fragmentary, veering as caprl clously as the purple wind flaws tbat spread across the shoals. " But always to ber question or comment she found In his, response the charm of fresbrrcss, of quick Intelligence or of a humorous and idle perversity which stimulates without denuinding. Once, glancing back at the bouse where the T cart and horses stood, she said that she had better return, or per haps she only thought she said it, for he made uo response that time, and a few moments later they reached the headland, and the Atlantic lay below, flowing azure from horizon to horizon under a universe of depthless blue. And for a long while neither spoke. With her tbe spell endured until con science began to stir. Then she awoke, uneasy, as .always, under the shadow of restraint or pressure until her eyes fell on him and lingered. A subtle change bad come into his fac?. Its leanness struck her for the first time that and an utter detach ment from his surroundings, a somber oblivion to everything and to her. How curiously had his face altered! How shadowy It bad grown, effacing the charm of youth in It! Tbe slight amusement with which sbe had become conscious of her own personal exclusion grew to an interest tinged with curiosity. The Interest continued, but when his silence became irksome to her she said so very frankly. His absent eyes, still clouded, met bers unsmiling. ' "I was thinking of men 1 knew for example, a man who through genera tions has Inherited every impulse and desire that he should not harbor; a man with intellect enough to be aware of It, with decency enough to desire decency. What chance has he with the storms which have been brewing for him even before he opened his eyes on earth? Is that a square deal?" The troubled concentration of her face was reflected now in his own. The wind came whipping and flicking at them from league wide tossing wastes. The steady thunder of the sea accented the silence. Turning to the sea, be had become engrossed In his own thoughts again, and again she was first curious,, then Impatient at the ease with which be excluded ber. She remembered, too, that tbe cart was waiting; that aha hud scarcely time now to make tbe train. She stood irresolute, Inert, disin clined to bestir herself. An Inborn aptitude for drifting, which threatened to become a talent for Indecision had alwavs alternated in her with sudden ' lmnulsiva conclusions and when her 'and However It may have been, sb bad summoned hint. And now be was pn bis way to get bis answer, tb best whip, tb most eagerly discussed and on of tb wealthiest unmarried men Iu America. Lingering Irresolutely, considering with id! eves th shadow lengthen ing across th sun shot moorlandthe Bound of Slward's even voice aroused her from a meditation bordering ou lassitude. She answered vaguely. He spoke again, all tbe agreeable, gentle, hu morous charm dominant once more, re- , leasing her from the growing tension , of ber own thoughts, absolving tier front tbe duty of immediate decision. 1 w.t jtnpliillul V luW " lllltt NHlll perhaps from our long drive." She seated herself on the turr. "Talk to me. Mr. Siward, In I tbut luzy way of yours." What be bad to say proved lu cousequeut enough, nil Ir relevant sugges tion concerning tbe training of field dogs. Tbe "Talk to me, Mr. SI- conversation ward " veered again to ward the mystery of heredity. "Do you mean, Mr. Siward, thut heredity is an excuse for moral weak ness?" sbe asked. "I dout know. Those Inheriting nothing of evil say It is no excuse." "It is uo excuse." "You speak with authority," he said. "With more than you are aware of," she murmured, not meaning to say it. She stood up Impulsively, her l'resti face turned to tbe distant bouse, he.' rounded young figure poised In relief against the sky. Inherited or not. idleness, procras tination, are my besetting sins. Can't you suggest the remedy, Mr. Siward?" "But they are only the thieves of Time, and we kill the poor old gentle man. "Leagued assassins," sbe repeated pensively. ' Her gown had caught on the cii briers. He knelt to release It. sha looking down, noting an ugly tear In the fabric. "Payment for my Iniquities the first installment." she said, still Noting down over his shoulder and watching his efforts to release ber. "Thank yoj Mr. Siward. I think we .ought to start, don't you?" He strnli-jlUeued up, smiling, await lug her further pleasure. Her pleasure being capricious, she seated herself ngalu. sayliigi "What I meant to say was this: Evils tbat spring from he redity are uo excuse for misconduct In people of our sort Environment, not heredity, counts. And it's our busi ness, who have evetj' chance In the world, to make good." He looked down, amused at the piquum incongruity of voice and ver nacular. "What time is it?" she asked irrele vantly. ' . He glanced at his watch. She turn ed her eyes toward tho level sun, con scious and a little conscience stricken that it was too late for her to drive to Black Fells Crossing unless she start ed at once. It grew stiller. The wind went down with the sun. (To be continued) 'Brood mare for sale. In foal by Taffia. Would trade for good cow, wood or hay. Write or call on J. W. Bullard, Independence, Oregon. 8tf For sale A few good cows, colts work horses. Enquire of L. E. pride waa Involved In decisions which iStapIeton, two miles south-west of sometimes scarcely withstood th anal- Independence. ysls of reason mm All charges prepaid to tlie nearest expresf office. mil quart botlU el GENUINE CYRUS NOBLE direct to you, all chsriM paid th iwml railroad csprvis offics. Containing all those secondary constituent! the government chemists My MUST BU TUlillli that it may be called whiskey. , Any $o cc!!ed v- h' .key that doesn't contain them, whether bottled in bond or not, is alcohol not whiskey. j CYRUS NOBLE is pure. It is old. It is whiskey and nothing but whiskey. Now sold direct to you by the biggest and beat known legitimate wholesalers in the Northwest. W. J. VAN SCHUYVER & CO. EUbUd 1864 I0S-I07 Second St PortWi Orrtoa SWT T VMS UM MS SUUL Ta-M W. i. Vsa Sckurnr A Co, MaiOiwi UM p M S4.80 U kl piM mU fw qru CLMJ1NE CYRUS NOBLE. Ka F.O.A4 REST, ROMP, RECUPERATE At the Seashore Newport la a delightful resort and a happy combination of pleasure ground possibilities. An Ideal climate, diversion of recreation perfect bath ing fiahlng riding driving and exploring make Newport a moat charming and popular play gro und. i OUTHERN PACIFIC Has a SPECIAL SUMMER EXCURSION RATE TO NEWPORT OF $4.25 Season $2.55 Sunday to Monday from Independence, Oregon Ask fur our booklet, "Outings In Oregon." G. A. WILCOX. Agent . Wm. McMURRAY, ' , General Passenger Agent Portland, Oregon The Salem Steam Laundry GUARANTEES YOU PERFECT WORK Leave order at D. Taylor's Barber Shop, Independence, Oregon he Court Resort ar?d Gepnpan Iia9cb Place FRANK II :) I.;, INS, Proprietor ' 357 State St. Salem. Oregon Phoipa 117 The Willamette Valley Company " - s. Light, Power & Water at Very Reasonable Rates WATER, RATE--(Water , by meter applies te resi dences only.) Residence rate on mater applies to cus tomers only wbp pay 2.00 and ever at the rat of 20 per 1,000 gallon; minimum f 1.00 per month. ELECTRIC LIGHT AND POWER RATE Residence, 15 cents per K. W. Buaineas houses, 25 cent per drop and 6 oent per K. W. Power, rates on application. , . OFFICE AT WATERWORKS PHONE MAIN 41