The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-05-28


"Piedse don't do that" he anssoered.
the crowd surge against him as 1t
would. No one should touch her in
rough carelessness.
'yrhank you. II was rather trying In
there" she said and looked up into his
eyes with a divine gratitude.
"Please don't do that" he answered
In low voice.
do whatT'
Look like that"
She not only looked like that but
more So Young man, young man."
she said. Il fear you're wishful OF turn
Ing girls head
The throng was thick around them.
garrulous and noisy. but they two were
more richly alone together, TO his appre-
citation, than II they stood on some far
satellite of Mars. He. was not to for
get that moment, and be kept the pie
ture of her, as she leaned against the
big blue tent pole there, In his heart;
the clear, gray eyes lifted TO his, the
piquant face with the delicate flush
stealing back to her cheeks and the
brave little figure that had run so
straight to him out OF the night shad-
ows. There was something about her
and in the moment that suddenly
touched him with saddening sweet
ness too keen to be borne. The forget
me-not finger OF the flying hour that
could not come again was laid on his
soul, and lie felt the tears start from
his heart on their journey to his eyes.
He knew that he should always remem-
Der that moment. She knew 1t too.
She put her hand to her cheek and
turned away from him a little tremu-
lously. Both were silent
They had been together since early
morning. Plattville was proud Of him.
Many a friendly glance from the folk
who jostled about them favored his
suit and wiahed both OF them well, and
many lips, opening to speak to Hark-
less In passing. closed when their own
ers, more tactful than Mr.. Bardlock,
looked second time.
Old Tom Martin. still perched alone
on his high seat. saw them standing by
the tent pole and watched them from
under his dusty hat brim. II reckon
it's ben three or four thousand years
sence was young" he sighed to him
self. Then, pushing his hat still farther
down over his eyes, Il don't believe I'd
ort to rightly look on at that" He
sighed again as he rose and gently
spoke the name Of his dead wife: MAR
jle, | reckon you're mighty tired wait.
In for me. It's ben lonesome some
times
DO you see that tall old man up
thereT" said Helen, nodding her head
toward Martin. Il think should like
to know him. I'm sure l like him."
THAT Is old Tom Martin"
II know"
81 was sorry and ashamed about all
that conspicuousness and shouting. II
must have been very unpleasant for
you. II must have been so for a stran-
ger. Please try TO forgive me for let
ting you In for It."
"But ! liked It. II was all In the
family, and II was so jolly and good
natured, and that dear old man was so
bright Do you know" she went on In
a low voice, II don't believe I'm 70
much a stranger-T think l love all
these people a great deal-in spite Of
having known them only two days"
At that wild exhilaration possessed
him. He wanted to shake hands with
every soul In the tent, to tell them all
that he loved them with his whole
heart; but, what was vastly more Inn
portant, she loved them q great deal
in spite Of having known them only
two days.
He made the horses prance on the
homeward drive, and once. when she
told him that she had read a good many
OF his political columns In the Herald,
he ran them into a fence. After this
1t occurred to him that they were near.
ing their destination aud had come az