The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-01-04
Scented, or not, as you prefer.

resolve.
But, Henry. all natural prejudice
aside. Just can't believe my good
luck. To think that she should ae.
cept me when she might have had any
man-why, she might have married
you, old chap. couldn't she?"
Did she tell you SOP
Nope" said Jimmie cheerfully, "but
can't see how Il is that you haven't
fallen In love with her"
Maybe | was In love with another
woman" said Walcot slowly.
There was something In his tone
that made Jimmie look up quickly.
Walcot was gazing Into the cheerful
tire, and there was such smile upon
his face as Jimmie had never seen
That mercurial youngster was on hts
feet In an instant and rushed over to
Walcot.
by Joye. old chap, so you have
been indnlging In love affair and
didn't even take me, your best friend.
into your confidence! call that
shameful Of you, but am deuced glad
TO know that you are In love. after
all, Take my word for Il, old chap,
there's nothing like II in all the world,
Easy, boy, easy" said Walcot. with
a quiet smile that may have conceal.
ed some embarrassment. II haven't
confessed to any love affair yet. And
as for condolences, remember that you
told me- nothing OF yours until you
were actually engaged. Even good
friends like you and me don't talk
over such affairs. However. | may
have-I hope to have-some good news
to tell you soon"
"How soonT
"Who can say?
Have you proposed to her"
"No, but intend to do So"
Good boyl Go In and win. II you
want q certificate OF good character
call on me. | am always ready to tell
a lie in the sacred cause of friendship"
And Jimmie's infectious laugh took all
sting away from the remark.
Once more fell a period Of silence
and Jimmie broke II with:
did you ever notice the color Of
her eyes, Henryr
Yes" answered Henry, with an air
OF amusement ''They are blue, aren't
theyT
"No, indeed" said Jimmie somewhat
Indignantly. They are wonderful
deep gray, almost black"
rs that SOP was the somewhat In.
different reply. "Then she has the
same color OF eyes as her cousin. |
know that she has wonderful, deep
gray eyes wonderful eyes" This last
was very soft.
Not at ALL stupldr' said Jimmie.
vexed at so much stupidity. Her
cousins eyes are blue. I'll be blessed
II you ever observe anythingv'
Jimmie himself was not observing |
anything, but was sitting with his gaze
fixed ON the heart Of the flames and
his mind lost In happy reyerle. lie
did not see his companion look up with
a quick terror In his eyes and face
drawn with emotion, nor did he hcar
question addressed to him. Indeed.
Walcot's voice was very thick. and he
hardly knew himself whether he had
spoken the question aloud or merely In
his anguish voiced 1t to himself
Then you are engaged to Kate Pres
toni" he finally managed to say, loud
enough to make his companion hear.
Certainly" said Jimmie In astonish.
ment "Who did you think was en-.
gagged to-certalnly not to Annie Pres
tonT'
II didn't know" sald Walcot weakly.
$50 your mind reading wasn't 30
good after allr' exclaimed Jimmie In
triumph. "Well, I must be going So
longr
AND he was gone.
For a long time WaIcot sat before
the fi,e, though his cigar went out un-
noticed and was not rellt.
Then he slowly walked to his desk
and took out letter addressed in his
own frm handwriting. Opening 1t. he
stood In front of the fire and read 1t
through twice. 1t was proposal of
marriage, simple, straightforward and
winning In Its declaration of great
love.
The letter futtered first to the 6re,
and he envelope followed It, Walcot
standing quietly to watch them burn.
One might have read the address on
the envelope even after 1t was caught
by the flames, and that address was:
MISS Kate Preston"