The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-03-22

"Mrs, Marshallyn she exclalmed
"For teag"
Was there ever such hateful pre-
dicamenty The worst gossip In East
erly on her way to the yacht, and she
Sibyl Wainwright, unchaperoned and
| helpless, on board, Mathewson sup
pressed smile.
would you care to hideg" he sug
gested clvilly.
Hide" repeated Miss Wainwright
with contemptuous scorn. lt was
quite In her conception OF him that he
should make such proposition,
Mathewson, intently studying the bit
of ear youchsafed him and noting the
detected poise Of the slender figure,
felt his mouth tighten. A curious
light leaped TO his eyes,
"Tll do It." he murmured. ut is a
big chance. but The next moment
he was welcoming his guests. As
Mrs. Marshall extended a plump hand
he bowed low.
Il want you to meet Miss Vain.
wright" he said distinctly. "In fact,
the little tea today is given for her
Our engagement is not yet announced,
but wished you to be among the FIRST
to learn OF It."
Miss Wainwright, the color flooding
to her temples, bent to put Teddyboy
on the deck. When she lifted her
head to receive Mrs. Marshalrs fellcl.
tations aud warm handclasp her smile
was quite natural.
Il am indeed greatly to be con.
graduated" she said composedly.
See what a dear little dog | have
just gained"
Mathewson bit his lip. He had not
known exactly what he had expected,
but II was certainly not this. The girl
with calm self control took up her role
of hostess, insisting that the older won.
an should make the tea. quietly order.
ing fresh supply Of anything lacking.
Mathewson watched her. a dull ache
at his heart. How sweet, how woman.
ly, she was' His audacious announce.
ment to Mrs. Marshall had been the
fruit OF an impulse, actuated by such
varied and complex motives that he
himself could not entirely disentangle
his reasons for It,
He had never dreamed OF finding her
at Easterly. much less on his own boat. !
But, seeing her now. gracious, tactful, |
his hospitality TO his guests, |
the empty mockery of II all, the bitter. |
ness Of this trayesty upon his longings,
brought a tightening 10 his throat. Why
had he not been able to keep her In
those old days? When Mrs. Marshall
rose he contrived that Miss Wainwright
should be the last TO leave. As she
moved toward the gangway Mathew.
'on interposed
You must forgive me-" he began UNI
steadily. IL meant well. But | was
wrong! | usually am. The
Tacht is only here for the day. / was
eaying tomorrow in any case. You can
hen deny the engagement break IT.
What you VIII. You know well how
eel"
Miss Wainwright lifted clear eyes.
"And Teddyboy?" she questioned.
"Oh, Teddyboy Is yours take him."
esponded the man YEARLY. You were
light. His ears would look better short,
lad he not been too old should have
ad 1t done when bought him back"
he girl started forward.
mo, no, she cried lmpulsively. The ,
'ng, fioppy ones are much nicer. IL
hould have hated you II you had cut
hem. And live both love him
II II had not been for his
ark this afternoon I'VE Oh, Ted.
r. as MathewsOn sprang to her side.
Are you people never coming?" call.
] a voice from the boat. IF you are
ngaged, please remember that the rest
us are mere prosaic mortals and
lust get home to dinner"
Mathewson, his face aglow with sup
ressed excitement, leaned over the
Ill.
Just second till | get my cap" he
nswered jublantly. II am coming
shore with you after all. That's It.
teady now, sibyl-these steps are
eep-and for heavens sake don't drop
pddyhovw