The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-22


world al that had passed between him
self and Tandy, and be would have
asked VIII Hallam's advice AZ to what
course TO pursue.
Instead OF that GuiIford Duncan
went al once to Barbara. lie had q
need OF sympathy rather than need
OF advice, and he had learned 10 look
to Barbara. above all other people in
the world. for sympathy.
He was still good deal disturbed In
bis emotions when Barbara greeted
him on the little porch and II was q
rather confused account that he gave
her of what had happened.
II don't quito understand" said Bar
bara Mt last Perhaps II you have q
cup OF tea you can make the matter
clearer" and, without waiting for AZ
sent or dissent, she glided out to the
kitchen, whence she presently returned
bearing a fragrant cup Of oolong.
"Now,' she said after be had slipped
the ten, "tell me again inst what has
happened. You were too much excited
when you told me before 10 tell me
clearly"
"welI, II amounts to this" answered
Duncan. THAT scoundrel Tandy"--
"stopw said Barbara In nm authorita-
tive tone. "Ncycr mind Tandy's char.
acter. II you no on on that you'll ney.
or make mo understand"
In spite OF his agitation Duncan
laughed. How you do order ms
about!'
"Oh. pardon mer exclaimed the girl
In manifest alarm. II didn't mean 10
do that. would never think Of doing
such a thing. only meant
my dear. Miss Barbara, fully un.
derstand. need ordering about to-
night. and ! heartily wish you would
take me In hand"
"oh. but I could never presume 70
do thatw
II don't sec why" answered Dun
can. "You are my good angel, and Il
Ii the business Of my good angel tc
regulate me and make me behave M
| I should"
"Isut, Mr.. Duncan
aBut Barbara"--it was the first time
he had ever addressed her by her Civ.
en- name and without the "Miss"--"you
know love you. or you ought to know
II. You know want you to be my
wife. Say that you win and then
shall be free to tell you all my trou
bles and TO take your advice In all oi
them. Say that you love me, Barbara
Say that you win marry mer
All this was In contrayention oi
Guiiford Duncan's carefully laid plans
as d declaration OF love Ia apt to be se
long as women are fascinating and
men are human. He had intended Il
put the thought OF bis love for Bar
bara into her unsuspecting mind by In
genious "trick and device" II hat
been bis plan presently to escort hel
| DO church, 10 the concerts that now and
then held forth at the Athenaeum. 4
Mrs. Hallam's for game Of croqhet
10 Mrs. Galagher's for the little dances
that that gracious gentiewoman gave
now and then even In the heat Of {
southern Illinois summer. He hat
even chartered a steamboat and plan
ned to give a picnic In the Kentuck!
woodlands below Cairo. to which b,
should escort Barbara. He had though
In these ways to set the tongues OF al
the gossIps wagglng and thus to force
upon Barbara the thought Of his love
| for her.
All was now spoiled, as he thought
when he 10 precipitately declared hl;
love there In the vine clad porch.
Barbara was obviously surprised
Duncan could not quito make oui
whether she was shocked or not
whether his declaration Of love pleased
on distressed her, for abe made no an
swer whatever. Instead she nervousiy
plucked honeysuckles and still more
nervously let them fall from her hands
Duncan was standing now and Il
torture lest he had spoiled all by bill
precipItancy, He waited as patiently
as he could for the girls answer, bu
II came not. Her silence seemed om
lnous to him. q 1t seemed to mean tina
she was shocked and offended by
declaration OF love for which he hat
not In any wise prepared her.
But Duncan was man Of action
II was not his habit to accept defea
without challenging It and demanding
its reasons. So presently he advanced
passed his arm around Barbara's wais