The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1897-08-29

become her.
But Annie did not relont. she neither
looked at nor spoke TO Matte. ani the
latter hurrying home from church with
tearfilled eyes ard qulverlnw lips. nut
her own construction on Il.
Annie Grove and Matie Brooke did not
npoak to each other all that summer.
although when the first gust Of ill-fesllng
had blown over. both felt secretly asham-
ed OF their ooaduct and anxious for a
reconciliation.
In November scarlet fever broke out al
Red Rapids. and the first TO take Il were
the Brookes. Matte herself escaped. but
two younger sisters and brother we're
80 III that their lives were despalred OF.
The house was quarantlned and anxious
neighbors could oaiy stop at ths gate 20
hear the lates, reports.
Mrs. Grove went every day. but one
evening she was not we'll. and she said
10 Annie:
You must go up and ask how the
Drookes are
Mother" protested Annie 81 Just
can't CO. You know that Matte"
Il know that you and Matte are
precious par Of geese-falling out over
dress. In the hrst place, and now dying
20 make up. and each hanging back for
fear Of the other. The first thing you
know. Matte wal be down with the fever
herself; whatlI you feel like then. miss"
Don't talk SOL" cried Annie. her black
eyes hlling UP with tears.
She hurried on her wraps and almost
ran down the hlll. What II Matte should
be III already-her dear old chum! What
II she wers never TO see her again!
Her fears were partly relieved when
Matte herself. her delicate face pale and
thin and Der blue eyes dim with long
vigils. came out to the back porch She
flushed with eager surprise when she saw
Annie at the gate.
Good evening" SAID Annie How are
you. Matter"
"All better" said Matte "The Doctor
says that the worst is over. You can't
think how relieved and thankful we feel
I'm sure you must" said Ariaie. Then
she swallowed the last choking morsel
/ of her pride.
"Oh. Matte. 1idn't-I truly didn't
spoil your challie. couldn't have dore
such a thing. although IN admit was
Jealous"
"oh. Annie, know you didn't. I've
known 1t for ever so long. Al first was
so angry that I didn't think what l was
saying. Can you ever forgive me?''
IT'S for ME TO ask that. Matte.
know I acted abominably 10 You. But
you don't know how I've missed you"
"oh, so have I missed youl It seems too
good to be true that we are friends
again"
Doesn't II? wish could go up and
hug you. What a talk wen have when
it will be safe. But Matte. who do you
suppose did spoil that dress2''
II haven't an idea can't think Of
anyone that could have done It on pur-
pose, and 1 don't see how 1t could have
been an accident suppose. as Miss Cas-
grain says. It will always be a mystery
Here comes Miss Casgrain now" said
Annie.
1t was Mss Casgrain herself. who
came stepping briskly along the road
and paused by the happy faced Annie tc
call out briskly:
THE doctor told me the good news. SC
that isn't what came for. Matte. I've
found out who spoiled your viole
challie"
Miss casgrainP' exclaimed both girls
together.
You'd never guess. so wont ask you
1t was that born and Incurable mischief
Bobby Spencer. What do you think O.
that? He is down with fever. you know
but is getting better I took him som'
Jelly this evening, aad ne just blurte'
the story out. 10 seemed to be weighint
pretty heavy on his tough little con
science. He came INTO the shop tina
day, just after you went out, Annie, ant
he saw my chart on that shelf. He say
he thought 1t would be such fun to hid
it. so he climbed up to get 1t. and some
how knocked down the bottle OF ink
WherJ he saw what he had done he wa
dreadfully scared and ran for his life-th
little monkey! He was so weak and re
peatant that had to forgive him-an'
l guess you'll have to forgive him, 700
Matte. What did you do with tina
challie, anyhow"
II hung It up in my room for re
minder." said Matte; and Miss casgraii
fully understood.
II suppose it's time | was going. too
said Annie. Have you got your winte
wraps yet, Matter"
mo. I never thought of them. Tn
sickness has put everything back. Wh7
are you going to get?'
Just what you do. And mother say
1 may have party waist this winter
You coax your mother to let you hav
one too, and there's the sweetest pal
blue crepon at Dickey's-just enough 10
two waists"
But you don't like blue?'
"Oh. yes l do-that particular piec
ANYHOW. I've set my heart on it.
..Wen," said Matte turning to go II
'Pn get whatever you say, Annie; but
never, as long as I live, want to see an
other violet challie."