The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-19

WILL hOu BE MN IMbfl1ATION
| In few minutes more. with the help Of
the two men, tho machinery was In mo-
| tion.
Directly there was an encouraging cry
| from Ben Morrison. who was taking peep
| through crack In the wooden wall
Hello, Mr.. Clarence! Glad TO see you
| liv.n',"
IL was now that Justina became aware
that in starting the machinery she had
hurt her elbow. Something had struck
her. ahe did not know what. She had
not needed the pain at first; now IL seized
her with an overwhelming grip.
Mercy, Miss Gilbert, what ails yer
said Ben Morrison.
Justina was not able to answer. nor
did she know anything more about the
affair until she recovered consciousness
In the hospital. Her arm had been put
out of Joint
The days OF pain were followed by days
when Justina enjoyed the restfui life In
her little hospital room.
One afternoon she was sitting with her
arm In sling wondering what Mrs,
Truxam would say when that lady, all
out OF breath came fluttertng into tho
room. "oh. Miss Gilbert, they kept II
from mo till nowl" she exclaimed. after
q warm embrace. Clarence didn't want
to spoil my VISIT and somehow missed
reading Of II in the newspaper. Well, my
dear. owe Il TO you that have O sonl''
"of course tho men-Ben Morrison and
the other one - helped. wish people
wouldn't give me all the credit" said
Justina
Clarence told me all, my dear--alll"
said Mrs Truxhm.
The color rushed into the girls pale
face. 1T Is kind Of you to come TO see
me, Notwithstanding, she said bravely.
'NotwithstandingP Don't say not
withstanding.' l am wiser now than I
was. But Clarence thinks you don't care
for him. II seems you returned him let
ter without opening II. Do you not care
for him? All, ] see you do, Justina!
am more than q mere business woman.
l can read hearts. You were thinking Of
me when you sent him his letter back the
other day"
Eyes: was thinking Of you--of Truxam
& Co."
"Think Of yourself now-and of Clar-
ence," said Mrs. Truxam. rising to leave
LET us forget the old plans. Here
putting the douby mailed letter in Jus
tina's hand-"T have brought the letter
back. Read It and give Clarence his
answer
Justina smiled and took the letter. The
reading of II caused her woman's heart
to overflow with happiness. 1t was the
first love letter that she had ever re-
ceived, She was reading II for the tenth
time when the nurse admitted Clarence
~ couldn't wait for your answer by
mail" said the young man. First, how
is your precious arm"
Better. thank you. I will soon be able
to leave the hospital"
1.-THE doctor says may have Just Ave
minutes, Justlna. Now, you can say
Yes to the question in the letter In one
second"
"oh. no: cannot. want you to wait
to think about It."
'I have waited. and have thought"
~ mean I don't want you to think that
you are under obligations to me. This Is
real life. you know"
"Yes," he smiled, every real"
II wish for your sake was pretty"
Rhe said. with little shade of regret
''In my eyes you are the most beautiful
woman In the world" he returned "And
to please you I'll try to think that I'm
not under the least obligation to you. In
return for this mental docility I'll ask
you to think something. WIN you do 1T"
"If It's not too difficult"--with q smile
and a heightenlng Of color that was girl.
ish and becoming.
'sIt ought not to be diflicult for one Of
your prowess, It's to believe that our
marriage would be In the interests Of |
Truxam 8 Co, II you reject me ahall |
wish you had let me- smother to death In |
the sugar bin" no pleaded.
Anybody would have rescued you.
Aoabk Inlr &l ~ i