Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1905-06-22


having spoken the words, he shut his
lips together in a straight, hard line.
Graydons notebook slid off his knee,
but he did not stoop for it. He stared
at the mass of people on the stand, and
their murmur seemed to rise into an
excited clamor.
who is he?" he asked. And he was
amazed at the change in his voice.
John G.. Kirby" responded Blake.
with the manner of a sullen and angry
witness in court
The sentiments of Blake in regard to
this matter constituted puzzle which
might have interested Graydou power
fully except for the greater interest in
his own. He might have interpreted
one by the other and have reached the
natural conclusion that Blake had been
in love with Miss LOrrimer. perhaps
without realizing it until too late. This
was not quite his own situation, for
there had been moments when the
promptings of his own heart had been
unmistakable.
That Blake could ever have hoped to
win Miss L0rrimer's love seemed hard
ly probable, for he lacked the qualiIica-
tions, so far as Graydon could judge,
by so brief an acquaintance.
Il think l will go over and speak
with Mrs. Kirby for a moment after
the exercises" said GraydOn.
Don't do it." said Blake laconcally.
SIS Kirby afflicted with jealousy"
asked Graydon, half in jest.
Yes" was the grave response. Its
a mighty sad story"
At this moment there was a call to
sS.er, and the assemblage slowly grew
quiet With the aid Of Blake's local
knowledge Graydon was able to follow
the preliminaries leading up to the ora
tion Of the day by General Philip Har-
well.
There had been rumor that the
general would deal with up to date pol
itics in a somewhat lively manner, and
Graydon was fearful that important
points would escape him because of his
dense ignorance of political matters.
But those who had started this rumor
had maligned Harwell. He stuck to
the theme and lessons of the day and
made really admirable address.
Just at the close Of the address Blake
touched Graydon's arm and directed
his attention to the motor car whose
occupants the young man had been
mercifully permitted to forget for a
few minutes. Graydon was just in
time to sea Kirby reach across and
take from her hand something that
looked like visiting card. He glanced
at 1t and then glared like dragon.
Raising his head, his eyes met Gray
don's, and the young man felt as if he
had received blow from club
whats the matter with that old vii
lainT' he whispered to Blake. 'Is he
Something of the sort" was the an
swer. TITS a tragedy"
But why-why in the world did she
marry him?'
Blake shook his head.
"She Is an orphan. as you know"
said he; "she had no one to advise her"
advise herr echoed Graydon. "That
mans face is advice enough. l should
think. Why the deuce does he glare at
me SOP
ITS queer, and that's a fact" said
Flake Can it be possible that one of
ler friends has recognized you and has
sent that card to tell her that you are
here? Some silly girl may have done it,
and that would be enough to excite
Airby's jealousy"
Craydon was beginning TO be angry
There's no reason why l should be
afraid Of him." said he. I'm going
'ver there by and by"
ITO please yourself" said Blake
land to raise trivial unpleas-
lntness for her."
The obvious justice Of this criticism
Effected Graydon for the moment and
le devoted his attention to the pro-
'eedings. But there was a streak of
'bstinacy in his disposition and he held
o his purpose.
You'd better stick to me-" said Blake
When the speaking was done. "rll
lrive you down to the depot, and you
an put your stuff on the wire for Bos-
on in time for the late afternoon edi
ions of your paper"
'I'n be with you in three minutes"
esponded Craydon as he sprang from
he wagon. .
He made his way toward the automo-
lie, and as he approached he was
reeted with frightful frown from ,
Iirby. while the lady gave him hasty .
od and turned her face away. 1t was ,
er manner which decided Graydon's ,
curse. He sadly acknowledged her sa ,
Ite and pressed on, making circuit
trough the departing throng and re-
lrning to the point where his service I
BILE chance acquaintance awaited him.
During the ride to the depot he de-
oted himself wholly to business, set