The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-12-22

porter as he conducted weary travel
ers to their herths but he smiled au,
said nothing,
| All the morning he played her IN
vorite piquet with her, aud In a way /
was a help to him, for Il made him for
get that he was on his way TO seek III,
| girl he loved, A few months before /
had been his duty us district atlurne,
In town near New York to obtain Oh,
conviction of Il murderer II was cleal
that the man had committed the crime
but u clever lawyer had created u feel
ing of sympathy for the criminal. ant
Irene osterman had coldly told hin
that she could never accept the low,
OF man who had sent nm innocent
fellow being 10 the gallows.
She had left for Omaha the follow
ing morning and had not even glvei
him chance 10 plead his cause. II,
was ON his way there now In the hop,
that change OF scene would enahl,
him 10 make more successful appeal
to her reason.
The breaking OF the engagement had
been terrible shock to him. and her
hlghncss from Rurutania ut last en-,
ahled him to partially forget the pair
that was gnawing ut his heart
shortly before 3 the train pulled
Into the yards at Chicago, and pres,
emily they were In the station after il
tedious Journey between lanes nf
freight and passenger cars on side
tracks, Just before they arrived III,
princess insisted upon having his card
and his Chicago address. I'VE Rnrt.
tanlans are so few" she protested,
that | am unwilling 10 lose sight OF
such faithful subject" And unwll.
ngly he had given her his card with
the bismarck hastily pencilei In tho
corner She would forget before she
had reached her home. he argued.
There was young man at the train
70 meet her. and he was warm In his
thanks TO Morgan. The young district
attorney hurried to the hotel that was
70 break hts travel. Three hours later
a bell boy knocked upon his door and
handed In Il dainty note.
The Princess Flavla,'" II read III
unfamiliar hand, would be glad d
welcome to Chicago the traveller from
Rurutania.' who by his courtesy In.
done 80 much 10 help the Princess
Ethel" and there followed nm address
OF Michigan avenue.
From curiosity Morgan determined IL
follow the odd experience to the end.
and as soon as he could unpack hts
dress suit he called a cab and gave the
address.
Arriving. he was promptly shown
into the parlor, and In moment there
entered a woman whose presence caus
cd Morgan's heart 10 thrill. With d
cry OF Irene" he sprang forward, aud
In another moment she was folded
within his arms.
Ten minutes later, when speech was
possible, she explained that the prin
cess Ethel was her maiden aunt, whose
dementla took the form OF the belief
that she was one OF the omitted char
acters In the Hope novel.
when | heard from Cousin Jack,
she said gently. of the man who had
been so kind, realized that you had
done II TO keep her misfortune from
the rest OF the car, and man who eau
take all those pains to spare poor Aunt
Ethel cannot be as heartless as sup.
posed you We're realize my mistake,
Morgan. Can you forgive mey"
A kiss was his only answer, but an
eloquent one. 80 engrossed were they
that they failed TO hear footsteps until
4 thin treble was heard announcing
We'll, never suspected that you
were the real Rudolph, but am glad
that my niece came from Omaha 10
meet me"
''rhen the Princess Ethel approyes"
asked Morgan.
Yes" declared the Princess Ethel.
md whispered echo, Yes" from the
Princess Flayia sealed the understand
ng,