The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-01-22

/ 50 ulSSISteu tnat ne wants 10 escape
the entire SEX And with shade OF
suppressed annoyance she rose, formu
lating an Intention 60 keep Tessle as
far as possible from Mr., Staunton for
the rest Of the evening.
| II seemed. therefore, almost too un
fortunate that the two should happen
to meet again at her house late one
afternoon OF the following week, hav'
ing been moved TO make their bread
and butter call at the same hour of the
| same day,
| Tessie was AT her beSt-or worst
and ratified away in the patolS of 50,
ciety in Il manner that would have
been appalling had i, been less pie
mresque, Rilly'S face was study, but
whatever his thoughts Were his atten'
ton was mmlStahabIe Not one Of
Tessie's glances sometimes merry,
sometimes coQuettish and sometimes
| brlmming with babyish sweetness
intended TO make him feel how big
and strong and different he was-iailed
Of its mark, Tessie did not know
much, but that what she knew she
knew remarkably well was slowly
borne In upon Mrs. Jack during that
half hour.
When the distant thud OF the front
door at last proclaimed her departure
from the premises Billy, who had out,
stayed her, burst into an uncomfortable
guffaw, in which his hostess Joined
him somewhat ruefully. But the out
burst was not followed by any Of the
caustic remarks that might have been
expected from bachelor Of his views
and standing. On the contrary. a gen
ial, amused gleam fingered in his eyes,
the amusement Of grownup with u
dainty. foolish. attractive child.
"Tessie is such silly little thing,
observed Mrs. Jack apologetically'
you mustn't mind her"
Mind her" calculated her visitor
warmly. II should say not! She's
great" And he chuckled reminiscent
ly.
But on the subject of Miss Blair
Mrs. Jack found him unresponslve
DO you suppose he's interested and
doesn't want 10 show itT' she demand. |
ed Of Jack, that fountain Of wisdom,
at the dinner table. Because Virgin
las precisely the sort of girl he pre-
tends TO admire. Now that I've found
his ideal for him he doesn't seem to
appreciate her"
Her husband laughed at the chagrin
In her voice.
III he doesn't fall in love with the
ady we've provided
According to his plans and speeId.
glggled his wife.
According to his own plans and
ipecifcations-why, I'll punch his
read" II
But in spite Of his opportunities Billy |,
'emained cold to the charms Of the {
sensible Miss Blair. In time Mrs. Jack :
loticed that it became increasingly dif- I
cult to throw them together. Billy I
imply would not be thrown. q
Provide n man with what he pre-. =
ends TO like and he Immediately finds g
mt that he doesn't want it," she re. .
ected, with justihable cyuicism He =
iys he likes sensible girls. but he >
ont look ut Virginia, though he will =
over about that little idiot. Tessie
oring, like moth about a fame" !.
And indeed there was plenty Of foun-
alton Tor her statement Far from
Iusing Billy to take to the woods, as
.rs. Jack had feared she might, Tes-
g seemed to exercise some subtle in
lence over him. The two were for
'er meeting, both at Mrs. Jacks and
sewhere, by the merest chance, Of
'urse. And it was noticeable as time
ent on that, though they arrived sep
ately, they invariably left together.
4 month later he came to tell her
their engagement. &
~ good many persons misjudge Tes-
e." he began, as If he felt that she
light be one Of the number, but In
ality she is one Of the most sensible
tie girls in the world"
He said much more, and Mrs. Jack.
hard, accepted 1t all, agree
& with him at every point. But when e
e was alone again she laughed until
e tears streamed down her cheeks,
d thus her husband found her.
What under the heayens| he in
ired, but he got no further 81
'Billy's going to marry Tessie Lor q
8" she announced breathlessly. "He
Us she Is 50 sensiblew
lack gave a low, incredulous whis
Talk about love being bllndw he
1rted cut at last. "Why, love has
X ray eye! Nothing short of an
ray could see anything sensible in
ssie."
md he thrust his hands In his pock.
and roared with her.