The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1893-06-18

Az LlAG ktNNC 40 %r~-fr-~-- ~-~~t TT~7-
time she did not resist
Word reached her few days later
from her uncle that he would soon be
in the city to buy supplies for trip to
shoalwater Bay, fish were cheap and
plenty there, and the trip would pay
IN a business way He might be gone
several weeks perhaps until after the
fishing season.
This message reached Mr.. Simpson
quite as soon as it did Ruth.
That evening as he walked home
with her he said she must now con-
sent to become his wife. Her uncle
was going away and she would be left
ali alone. He could not bear to think
Of it. He would obtain the uncle's
consent, and the following day they
would be married,
Just how it came about she never
remembered, but someway she ans
wered, "Yes:' and then, instead of
going straight home, she accompanied
him to a restaurant and a supper. He
was entertaining and ardent and ex-
planned to her many things she never
knew before. But all was quiet, and
she was not known, and she did not
seek entrance at the boarding house
at very unreasonable hour, there
fore no one else was wiser for what
happened.
OF all consents in the world the
uncle's was the easiest to obtain. He
was glad to be eased of the increased
weight of responsibility. In reply to
his inquiries concerning Mr. Simpson
he was told that the young man was
about to start a new. cannery near
Saint Helen's. And as all the informa-
ton was furnished by acquaintances
Of Mr.. Simpson, it was undoubtedly
accurate. A most promising match
His fish would bring better figure
and a. son-ir-law in the business Some
day he might work into the cannery
himself, and sell out the mosquito fleet.
Therefore when Ruth had packed her
slender belongings and taken leave
of her former place, ne accompanied
the twain to the Office of the notary
gave them his blessing and TWEEN 2
dollars, and afterward departed far
Shoalwater Bay.
Then Ruth took up her abode in
furnished apartments as Mrs. Simpson.
The new landlady was q trifle coarse
and entertained considerable noisy
company; but they went out for meals,
and the room looked out over the riv-
er, so she did not mind. Her husband
was very busy. during the day and Of
ten at night. buying supplies and
hiring hands," and during his absence
she occupied her hands making dresses
to starting up the river
for the new cannery." and her mind
thinking Of him. Though she saw little
of him, when he was near her he was
always attentive and considerate, and
every day she fell more deeply in love
with him.
Thus the days passed until almost
the end of the fishing season. The
hour arrived for departure. the boxes
had gone, and it was nearly time for
the boat to start. Darkness had fallen
when they took leave of their lodgings
"for the Portland night liner"
Down one street, up another they
hurried on,--none of them familiar to
Ruth, for none lay along her daily
path when she worked in the can fac
tory, and that was the only portion of
the city with which she was familiar.
They approached the water front and
the boat landings. Suddenly her hus-
band stopped in front OF a house in
side street where lights were burning
brightly. Lace curtains backed by red
shades gave forth lurid illumination
Come, my dear" he said, II must
see friend on business q moment be-
fore we start" He rang the bell, and
a colored servant appeared. She eau
toned him not to delay too long.
The servant led the way to a rear
apartment gaudily furnished, and with
drew. An oily individual with sleekly
brushed hair and waxed mustache
came forward to meet them.
"My dear. this is my friend, Mr..
Stein; 1 hope you will like each other
And by the way--I might as well ex-
plain a little, since we have been mar
ried so long. I am tired of keeping
can start in now and keep
me a while. This Is as near Portland
as you'll get this year. and / think
you'll find Mr. Stein as good second
mate to a husband as any man on the
waiter front. oh, there's no use get
ting shocked You're caught-you are
fooled You might as well waltz
right up to your medicine without any
kicking. and be pleasant about 1t.
You're not the first one that's married
m me. and they all had to come TO
his sooner or later. You've been with
me long enoughl Now try Mr.. SteinT'
SO saying, Mr. Simpson, tin horn
gambler, general confidence and shang--
hal man, owner of wigs, masks, and
and puller-in for sailors
boarding houses. backed out OF the
door-and out of this history.
Ruth had fallen back into a chalr 100
stunned, too perfectly dumfounded, TO
utter q word. She stared wildly ABOUT
in senseless bewilderment, helpless,
like one in nightmare. The ploW
had fallen so suddenly, and with such
terrible force that there was no raliy-
nr. Every rock, every vestage of an
rhorap.e of her belief had been shat
Tered and scattered by this volcano
of awful revelation.
But there was danger in sitting re-
sistless. Already the oily creature had
annroached her and was making un-
requests. She rose and
rushed to the door. Tt was locked.
she screamed and called for help.
There was no answer. nor would mere
aver be any. The man commanued ner
Ia stop. He had heard such screams
before. they were useless.
II happens that the city, for depth
Il two or three streets near the water
front. Is built on pilings. Under the
buildings the tide ebbs and flows at
iuIl depth, and many are built beyond
he low-water line. Some buildings,
he cheaper ones, where trade OF q res
nectablc sort Is not carried on, are fre-
ruently not planlxed around at all, or at
EAST only where communication Is
needed The place is a true Venice,
llrty. infantlle, with the canals planked
Dver
There was a window in the room'
and Ruth rushed toward i. Her cap
Ior folded his arms, and placed his
back against the door, smiling. He
lhonahf she would yield now, certainly.
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