The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-07-13

| ne tuFneu Abruptly 10 the muet'
teacher. who had remained silent
"what do you think Of Jacks ouix'
otism. Miss stuartg"
I'll think Mr. Hawarden IL doins
right" she said softly, "only HI
ought" she stopped. with flushed
cheeks and shining eyes. for Jack Ha.
warden stood in the doorway.
The Englishman's comprehension was
quick enough this time to take In the
whole situation.
"Alecl" he cried reproachfully. turn
ing to his friend. you've toidi"
Jack" returned Bruce. spreading
out his hands tragioally. Il have--all
except about the pill-box--and that
I'm going to tell now"
"Alec.s protested Jack. desperately.
you're really going too far--you've no
right"
That's where your ideas OF right
differ from mine," said Alec, coolly. i
have my instructions from the 'nego-
table haunt herself. and ] intend to
carry them out. You see" he con.
tinued. turning to the interested little
group "rve called frequently on the
old lady. and she has taken a great
fancy to me as the friend OF her dear
Jock Last night she gave me this
little box. and asked me to give II to
the young lady OF Jacks choice, with
the request that she make use OF II
In furnishing a home"
He took from his vest pocket tiny.
fat box OF tin. hardly more than an
inch square. and held Il out on the
palm OF his hand. II was sealed by
having a thin strip OF paper pasted
over the joining OF the box and It's
cover.
Il suppose II never occurred TO the
old lady that great. big. hulking
lingering lovingly over
the words. like Jack had not dared TO
tell the young lady"
No one spoke. Hawarden sat In hor-
rlfied silence. Finally Kathleen Clyde
broke out earnestly: IT'S a viii. Of
course. leaving MIR. Hawarden a fine
estate in England. and
Hawarden pulled himself together
and came to Bruce's side. trying to
mile.
There's no one TO leave me an es-
ate, Miss Clyde. really haven't a
relative In the world. and my parents
we're poor people. think the old lady
IS not In her right mind. | fancy that
what Alec calls box Is really sort
,f tin locket. and probably contains a
portrait Of her lost nephew"
He paused as II to gather courage 10
20 on. and his face paled.
I'm sorry, you know" he said, slow
y. that Alec has told the story. but
here is only one truthful way for me
o finish It,"
He took the box from Bruce's hand
md passed 1t to Miss Stuart. saying
'nly, "will you open the box"
Her beautiful eyes filed with tears,
md, with trembling hand. she tried to
freak the seal Peace Gray handed her
palette knife, and as the cover flew
II they all crowded around.
IT'S nothing but a postage stamp"
ried Kathleen, Indignantly. the hor-
i'd old woman! ia like to throw II
nto the fire."
Miss Etuart dropped the box and ran
rom the room, and II anyone noticed
hat Hawarden followed her, no one
vas silly enough to speak OF 1t.
"Give me that stamp, Kathleen, |
uick," commanded Miss FairlIe. THE
Id lady's mind is all right" she added
fter a careful examination, "and so is
Ter gift. This is a four-cent blue
Of the issue Of 1S47, and is
gorth at least seven thousand dollars
he negotiable aunt has made Jack
n easily negotiable gift"
Hawarien heard the joyous excla-
nations that followed Miss Fairlie's
and came In. holding
diss Stuart, blushing and embar-
assed, by the hand.
Are you sure. Miss FairIie?" he
sked anxiously.
Perfectly sure" she answered, with
he confidence born OF knowledge, "one
,as sold few weeks ago in London
Dr. 1880"
"Er-I thought" he stammered, 1T
] only right that our friends here
hould be the first to know that Edith
nd / are engaged"
1.-TWO souls with but single stamp"
uoth Alec, with mock soIemnity, but
he unfeeling remark was lost in a