The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-07-29
66e SAVING
REVELATION
By Virginia Leila Wentr
copw1oht, isoS BY ravsnad Lsaa We";a

The day had been hard, bright and
cold. Out in Central park there was
the jangle OF sleighbells In the air
people, for the most part, making for
Nome, because the strong wind which
had suddenly swept up the city streets
was now driving dizzy herd OF snow
fakes before 1t.
Women sitting in their slelghs, un-
der the full stare of the setting sun,
did not feel their rugs and furs one
whit too heavy. Down In the city's
narrow streets and wind swept tene-
ments the poor drew their shawls and
coat collars higher round gray, plnched
faces.
Helena Christy had TO bold her toQue
on with both hands Her cheeks and
ms were as red as June roses. Some
chiffon ribbons blew out from under
Asr furs and tapped across her COM
panion's face. They had the faint scent
ef some nower or other Whatever 1t
was. it was the scent he loved best In
the wurld
But IL either the woman or the per
rume awakened any sentiment in him
the expression OF the Hon. kelsie Sid
aons did not show II. His handsome,
manly face wore the aspect Of stern
restraint habitual to him.
AS be leaned against the sleigh cush.
ions and beheld the diminishing per-
spective OF electric light pricking itself
cut down the snowy drive. caught sight
Of the blue mounted police on their
mettlesome steeds and recognized ia
niliar faces In the long procession Of
sleighs and carriages rolling northward,
be was conscious Of only one thing-he
had set out on this drive with the fixed
purpose Of asking the woman beside
him to become his wife. And her home
hay Just at the lower end of the park.
He was a man who never went back
On his fixed purposes.
As they were turning out of the park
Fifty-ninth street Helena was say
ing;
'4The woman who is worth while new
er undervalues the offer of marriage
from any man Be he much or little, II
is the greatest compliment he can pay
her. Coming from you, my friend, such
a compliment is the more to be valued.
But cannot marry you"
The man did not answer at once.
Neither did the expression Of his face
seem 10 change He tucked the lap
robe around her little more securely.
DO you know" he remarked when
he had finished with the fur robe, I'D
Mke to trespass little further some
time and ask permission TO discuss the
matter with your They were pulling
Er In trout of the big white stone apart
menn house where she lived.
"As. l said" came back Helena's
voice lightly as she undid his work Of
ybe tucking. ''in asking me to marry
Mou you paid me great compliment
fn exchange. / dare say, owe you per-
mission to indulge your hobby for ar
gument and discussion. Come in now.
won't you, and have some tea with me?
warn you no amount Of argument can
profit either of US; but still, come"
Within, behind heavily curtained win
dows. In. sharp contrast to the biting
cold without, were sweet warmth, soft
rugs, draped screens, shaded lamps, all
= the dainty pTenishings of modern bou'
dnir. In the fast growing dusk the fire
light flashed on the little silver kettle
beginning to steam at the spout; on the
Dresden and old Worcester ware on The
ebouy tea table; on the woman wbC
had drawn a low cushioned chair Gloss
beside it.
THE situation is Ike this" the maj
was saying I'm rather much the SAM
tone Of voice be would have used In ar
guing an important case before the So
preme court: ''You are thirty-or Is
thirty.one? You have a reputation as
brilliant. beautiful woman and all that
You can, l am aware, marry any on
Of three or four men who can ofYe
quite as much as I, but mOdesty wa
never a characteristic Of mine. And
can give you almost anything you Wis
that costs money. stand well In m
pruSessEon--ciose to the top Of II,
fact. am not vet forty. On the Who'll
q marriage between us might be wh'
is termed very suitable match"
The woman smlled openly, "DOes Il
prosecution here close Its defense
Her father also had been judg
Sugar and cream? Yesf Well, here
Che deity poured out the fragra
drink.
As the man reached for his cup
looked at her a triHe perplexed.
Are you offendedP be asked. az
made an offer of marriage In perfe'
" buslnesslike way, having heard y
ef.en declare that marriage cOntrs
is Ike any other contract and should
entered into only when both parties
aware Of what they are doing and
rid OF glamour"
His companion paid him the trib'
of lingering glance In which gu
ton mark was barely perceptible. /
in the shadows he could no longer
her face-only the white parting OF
FURNISHED hair where the firelil
shopa Tn q cacand cha was ginning