The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-06

Il
what's TO worry nsf Let's find out
where we both came from and''-. Then
suddenly shs became sober. "ifiryt.
VETS 10 see II we can DO OF any uss
down there" And she glanced beyond
Wilton. whdre fitting Ianterna and q
confusion OF voices marked tho place
OF real catastrophe. Together they hur.
ried down tho tracks, 10 Hnd that nll
that could DO done was being done for
the sufferers and That now all that was
possible was to walt for the wrccking
train.
Wilton drew Betty away from tho
crowd.
I'VE can't help" he said, "and you
are shIyerlng with the cold. I'm going
back TO get your coat and my traps
and yours. Then we will make camp
here on the bank"
A few minutes later found them
toasting before d brisk little nre that
Wilton had klndled, while over IN the
east low btreamera Of pink sllhouetted
Che dull outlines of a mining village.
shall we try 10 find shelter In tho
town. asked Wilton,
"oh. no." answered Betty. Let's
wnlt hero"
Wilton spread his hands contentedly
to tho fiamcg, while he stared so intent.
" at the girl opposite that her eyes
waycred. Yes. II was the same Betty
OF Ave years beforc-yet not the same
Betty. She or ave years before had
becn q child Of eighteen. The woman
OF twenty.ihree before him was tho
fulflllment Of MI tho earlier promises
OF loyeilncss. WiIton's heart beat more
quickly NJ he looked at the glowing
sweetness OF her face.
"Betiy," he said abruptly, Betty,
why have you never written me all
these yearsf'
Betty looked at him quickly. This
arm. clear cut face was different from
the Jolly boys features she had re.
mcmbcred. and there was new, I'm.
pclling quality 10 his tones that she
rather liked.
Because. Jack" she answered slow.
H. "bccanse you never wrote me-"
"oh. but ! did" he replied, "thrce
different tlmesr'
II never received the iettesv," she
said. "You might have known that
Aunt jane would take care Of that"
Wilton walked up and down rest.
leasly half dozen times and threw
some sticks on the Ore before stopping
In front OF the girl. "And now" be
continued. "would you mind telling me
why you sent ma away from you Eve
years agof"
THAT was not Aunt James fault.
Jack" she said eagerly. 'Indced, you
must not blame her for that. She
could pursue her own methods. but
she never could influence mo I'm my
own purposes"
Thank heaven for that! interrupt
sd Jack grimly. "you sent me away"
he prompted.
Betty lifted her head bravely. 'T
sent you away" she said. 'that you
might prove TO ms whether or not you
were man. Yon were only q college
student then"
Jack thrust his hands mors deeply
into his pockets. He was hvIdlng In
well, considering tho food tide with.
In. The sunrise and irelight We'd with
each other In lighting up the sweet mo-
billiy Of her face Yes. II was the same
dear Betty.
'And now he said, a little hoarsely
''sce how useless II was, for you don't
know what the years have done for
me, and you are i've years grown
away"
Betty rose slowly and looked into his
clear, dark eyea. She looked at the
Hnc. flrm mouth. the clean cut tanned
face, the straight. strong alertness Of
his figure. She spoke slowly and
softly.
Eyes" she said, 1--WE did not write
to each other, but" here she smiled a
little your face tells me all that
want to know"
Jack took an eager step toward her,
"And does Il tell you that have
loved you always, loyalty, for the long
Ave yehrsf"
Betty's voice trembled little Eyes,
Jack, IT. But tho rest OF her reply
was lost In Jacks arms.