The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-11-03

up and sold. lie scanned II IN th,
cold light of day and was amazed Il
find some good In II. clever bit oi
Characterization wasted. touch ~ ths
picturesque oddly out OF place giIn,
OF truth In u muddy mess Of insinccrl
~. There was even pleasant Jingle
In the language. marred by dissonances
unnatural and malicious. as II the yery
devil had logged the authors elbow.
Kendall read and was affected with
pity OF himself and with certain sym
pathy. n sorrowing tenderness. for th,
poor stun that he had labored to pro
duce, the misbegottcn child Of fall
abilities.
A weak. uneven tapping at the dool
"a knock that was as characteristic O,
handwriting and revealed u fixed habit
Of indecision- n--summoned Kendall q
perform the sad rites OF homeless hoe
pltallty The aspect OF his visitor wa,
30 clear In his Imagination that b,
scarce saw her better after the dool
was open than before. She was a fad
ed woman Of forty.nye IN whose facs
there lurked an astonishing prettiness
illusive and Inappropriate to her years
the ghost of girihood.
lie gave her welcome from an honest
heart, but with feigned good cheer
Would she come INF No: she was upon
some errand and had merely stopped
at his door. Nevertheless as he con
tlnued TO stand waiting she entered
and sat down.
Edith has had breakfast" said she
II brought up cup OF coffee and an
orange She seems TO feel better this
morning"
There's nothing like a good square
meal such as you mention" said he
smiling sadly, Ito put heart In one
May 20 In by and byT'
"Yes; right away" she said, rising
while her eyes wandered TO the writ
Ing table. N II won't interrupt your
work. Edith wants TO see YOU"
lie escorted her TO the head OF the
stairs and then returned 10 his room
\ where he paced back and forth for
some minutes, forcing himself TO think
cheerful aud brave thoughts and strlv'
Ing to bring his countenance Into ac.
cord with them. When this process
had accomplished all that could be
hoped OF II In the light OF his expert
ence herewith he went out Into the
hall and saw big. sturdy man as
cendlng the stairs, which creaked loud.
ly beneath him.
"Good morning, doctor" said Ken,
dali. MAY ask II you are going to
see Miss Cameron
"Yes. was on another call In the
house and met her mother. who sug-
gested that should go up"
.Will you look In upon me after you
have seen herr" said Kendall. turning
toward his room.
II may have been half an hour later
when the doctor knocked and was ad-
mltted. Kendall eyed him with OBJ.
vious. aching anxiety.
"Convalescence Is long business
sometimes" said the doctor Miss
Cameron had serious illness, and
there is sense In which she has re-
covered from II, but complete resto
ration TO health may be. very tedious
process"
"Do you see any improvement
The doctor shook his head. and to ths
next question, "A loss, perhaps" be
answered with u guarded assent.
II dread the winter" said Kendall.
"If she could hare change OF scene,
II she could live an outdoor life in
healthful surroundings
~ understand that there Is pecun'
larry difficulty"
"They have small property" re
joIned Kendall. but Il Is not yielding
much income Just now. ! have looked
into the matter at Mrs. cameron's re.
quest A year from now they viii be
somewhat easier in pocket. Meanwhile