The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-08

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iahed, but she was In no way enbar-
rassed. II was her nature 10 meet oil
circumstances aud all events frankly
and 10 DO with conscientious faithful
ness Whatsoever Ahc conceived 10 be
her duty. DO when 0uilford Duncan
called upon her she promptly put away
her surprise and walked into the par.
ior md greeted her visitor not without
some lingering trace OF surprise NJ tho
honor done her. but with no touch OF
I foolish embarrassment In hsr manner.
Barbara was simply her own sweet.
natural self. and when Duncan went
away after bis call the glamour OF her
personality was more strongly upon
him than ever.
\ .Hhc. at least" he thought as he
walked toward the ieyfe. twin not mis-
construe my call, no Mrs. Hallam sug-
gests. She In too womaniy, too sin.
cere, too genuine. for that ! shall
call again very soon. though, now that
think Of II, she forgot 10 ask me TO
do 40. Never mind. III manufacture
some excuse oh, by Jove. ] have II!
Tile Cotcrie' Ii 10 give fancy dress
dance q week from tonight. I'll invite
her 10 10, wonder II she will nc.
cept IL hope NO, but even II she doesn't
the Invitation will give me ample ex.
cuss for calling III do II tomorrow
evening"
When Duncan called upon Barbara
the next evening and asked her 10 at.
tend the dance under bis escort her as
tonishment was manifest IN spite OF
her best cndeayors 10 conceal II. She
had never before been invited TO such
O function. and she had not dreamed
OF this. That. however. was not her
greatest occasion for surprise. lin her
modesty she had never thought Of her
self as In any way the fellow or equal
of the other girls In town, who were
eagerly invited 10 attend everything
In the way Of entertainments. II any
other young man IN town had asked
her TO be his partner on this occasion
she would have regarded the occur.
renee aa surprising one. To be ask.
I'd by Guilford Duncan was more as.
tonishing than oil. She knew the high
place he hnd won for himself In Cairo.
She knew that he was everywhere re-
garhed as altogether the superior OF
all the other young men intellectually,
morally, socially and IN all other ways.
She. regarded him as an aristocrat
among men. q man who had always held
aloof from the society around him, an
II n were quite unworthy OF his attcns
ton. She had woman's instinct enough,
too. 10 know how greatly honored any
other girl In the city would feel II
asked BY him 10 any function. The
fact that he had asked her instead OF
some other puzzled her almost TO be-
wiiderment.
At iirst aha gave him no answer. She
was obviously thinking, and Duncan
lot her think on. He thought she look.
ed exceedingly pretty while thinking.
He observed q sllght puckering of her
forehead az the time. which seemed TO
him 10 add interest to her face. After
d little she said:
THANK you. Mr.. Duncan. for your
invitation. l am more pleased with II
than can say. But think I must ask
you to excuse me. think can't pos
sibly so 10 the dance"
"May ask why notf DO you not
care for dancing and sccietyT'
"0h. care very much, or. rather"
she added with scrupuIous fidelity to
truth, II should care very much to at
tend this party. should enjoy II more
than anything, but
"Wil you think me impertinent,"
Duncan asked when she thus stopped
In the middle OF her sentence"
you think me impertinent IL | ask you
what comes after that word 'butr"
"oh, think you mustn't ask me
that At least ! think mustn't an
Rwer you"
Every well," replied the young man.
pleased with the girls manner In spite
Of bis disappointment over her hesita-
ton, May make suggestion1 II
you had simply said ne 10 my invita-
tion. OF course should not think OF
urging II upon you. But what you
have said shows me that you would
welcome II if there were not some
thing In the way. Perhaps you can
overcome the difficulty. VIII you not
tryf Will you not take a little time to
think and perhaps to consult with your
frlends2'
II should like to, but that would be
unfair to you. It might deprive you of
an opportunity to ask some one else"
II shall ask no one else. shall not
attend the affair at all unless am
privileged to escort you. II may
will call tomorrow evening and every
evening until YOU can give me your de-
cision."
There was certain masterfulness
In his manner and utterance which
seemed to leave no chance for further
discussion. SO Barbara simply said:
very well, I'll be ready to answer
you tomorrow evening. | suppose
am ready now, but you wish me to
walt, and II shall be So"
Duncan hurrledly took his leave. Per-
= a - liza.