The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-12-14

1T was early In the day. and the
fashionable establishment OF the
jeweler RoyersI was almost bare
OF patrons. Dignlhed gentlemen.
gray or bald. were standing behind the
glass cases. waiting with waxen pla.
eidity for tho opening OF the days busi.
ness. and there was neither life nor
color In the scene save by the door,
whers n golden haired young woman
daintily gowncd was talking with Paul
lsovcrsi, nephew OF the proprietor.
Between them was a small. plain, In.
expensive Jewel case. open, aud the
lady wns looking down Into II, where
lay string Of pearls. not large ones
nor especially notable 10 the ordinary
observer. but possessing recondte mer.
Its which commended them dearly 20
the connoisseur.
II love them" said Mrs. Hasbrouck.
u could look at them all day. AREN'T
they bcautifulr' And she pushed the
boz toward Roverui. who looked nj the
pearls for Q few seconds and then
closed the I'D upon them. Mrs Has.
brouck turned tiny key In the lock.
noversi escorted her 10 the carriage
which waited before the door, and
when she was seated he put down the
little green casket beside her. He had
brought II from the store. holding II be.
fore him IN both hands as n II had
bsen fragile. and when hs had set II IN
fhe carriage he uttered some words OF
caution In bali jesting tone.
II mattered little what he said. He
fascinated her always when he spoke.
Tor his lips were delicate and wonder.
fully mobile. and his eyes frightened
and changed with the current Of his
thought. Surely he was remarkably
handsome young man. and the lady
was aware Of his charm 20 the point OF
positive pain. Yet she could never un.
derstand why II should not be an I'm.
mixed pleasure: surely II was one that
no human being had right TO deny
her. She was a widow whose married
life had scarcely a semblance OF reality
IN her memory. II was only dream
OF q mans sudden and fatal illness,
and. looking back upon II, she seemed
TO behold herself in bridal dress and
mourning Grape on the same day.
Three years had dimmed the picture.
She was girl In heart and In looks-in |
all things. indeed. except the Independ.
encc Of her ttation and the control of |
q great fortune. Royersi was her equal
socially. and. though he had not pen.
ny Of his own. she had enough for two. |
II he had cxtrsvagnnt tastes. so that
be must 10 10 his indulgent uncle twice |
year with handful OF debts. at least |
he was gentlemanly spcndthrift. and |
bis follies had never brought him into |
condemnation under the easy code Of |
modern society, II Ii not probable that
Mrs. Hasbrouck analysed tho young |
mans character to any serious advan-
tage. Her fears and hopes. her Joy and
pain. proceeded not from the working.
Of her mind, but was from the nglta
tion OF her heart.
Absorbed In meditations which were
upon the whole agreeable. Mrs. Has
brouck rode homeward with her pearls.
The carriage stopped beside the curb.
and the lady glanced out Of the open
window. expecting TO zee the familiar
doorsteps and red masonry before the
portal Of her house. Instead she saw
the face OF groom In her employ who
was standing In an attitude of apology
with cap In hand.
beg pardon, ma'am." said he. Il
was on my way TO Mr.. Chandler's"-
a maker OF saddlery--"about q saddle