The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-01-03

ANtha NNA thAAtbA "tAFs ~
strange desolatlon NJ the frame which
had held the picture Of hcrtram Hale,
She wondered ns the glorious spring
day wore away how I, would seem 10
co on and ON without him through oil
tho days TO come. She was righE TO
break with him, lie had been wrong
to show Mabel Harvey 81 much atten'
ton. even II shr was his cousin and
herr ON u visit, lie had alunst forgot
ten one OF the dances she had prom
,ss%i him because he had been showing
Mabel the family portraits Hut how
strange Il would seem notN look Tor
wanl 10 his approval whenever she
slanned u new dress or learned new
song or chanccd ON some beau'itn'
thought or story
Yes, n would be all very strange
and sad but doubtless she would 10
come used to the separation. Only
A quick shrick startled her, u came
from below stairs, II was such ehok'
ed cry of horror ~ uhe fancied might
be- uttered by one suddenly aAsalled- --
stabbed,
She sprang up, ran TO the door and
down the stairs,
The front door stood aiar Ruth
could sec the gray clad form OF the
postlnan crussln. the street from their
house. Lena. CHASTITY white, an open
letter in her rough hand, was leanln.
against the hanister, She had received
some terrible shock,
Lena" cried the giri, tell me what
Is wrong
Mutrly the peasant woman held on.
the letter
Il cannot read it." Ruth cried. 1T
Is in your language Tell me- You
have had bad newsr'
"De worst news-dc worstF' shc
painted. Her stricken face was uplift'
~. Its pathetic hopelessness, lls bit
ter abandonment. went straight TO the
heart OF the girl hcside her
"It Is my lover. Miss Ruth! lie vas
10 be- my man. bur did set angry aud
sail away with mIne own people. aud
say no. would not marry him, But
he did write to me. and vas sorry
aud did answer and say 10 hlm to
come. Hut now he Ia dead hr II
deadg' Her voice rose into piiltul
wall. "IIe Is dead. and he can ncfrr
come any more at all-not cfcr any
moreT'
Then there was no sound save her
broken, dcsolatc sobbing. Ruth seh
don put her arms around the broad
shoulders, She kissed the wet cheeks
and soothe,i the coarse. yellow hair
Poor LenA!' she whispered. Poor
Lena. Come and lie down, No, never
mind the work Come
She shut the door and drew the
maid away up TO her own room,
Il said I did not lofe him. but did
I vas angry. and l say vot vas no,
true. Now he vili nefer know that |
did lofe him always. that l will never
have no other man In all my life. for
be- vas the only vun for mer'
When ahe had quieted the suffering
creature. Ruth left her and went back
70 her desk. She looked at the pack
age, at the frame from which the pic
ture was absent II seemed a. though
this news that bad been sent from
over the sea had come directly TO her
What II the message had been Of Her
trami Would she be angry now. re-
sentful1 BIT by bit she wen, over
their little dissenslon. Was Il worth
a heartache when all was sald1 Could
she ever love any other ~ she loved
hlmi Her heart gave prompt reply
Mechanically she united the package
and replaced the picture In the frame.
the letters in the drawer. the other
treasures each In It's accustomed place.
Then she opened the tiny boz and took
out a ring that sparkled like star Of
promise and slipped 1, on her finger.
For he vas dc only vun for me-"
Poor Lenal" said the girl. who. with
shining eyes and rose red cheeks, went
downstairs TO the telephone, On the
way she paused to open the little box
on the hall table and TO fastcn the pan.
sizes over her heart.
--s-=---=----~-~-~---~-~-=