The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-26


Tho girl.
whitcomb shook his head dubiously.
I'm afraid not. The mule boy was
not IN sight when tho thing happened,
and he'll probably spend the remainder
OF the day hunting for his mules"
Tho girl did not appear as anxious as
might have been expected, and Whit
comb sat down beside her.
IT twili take somc time to fioat down
there" hc said, 'and IN tho meantime
I'll tie these ropes together"
She watched his clever fingers In
silence, and whitcomb was moved
with n strange desire TO tnlk of him.
self.
do you know. you are the first east.
ern girl I've spoken TO IN i've years.
Surprise on the rose tinted face be.
side him.
II haven't been back east since ! fin.
iahcd college. AT first I wrote often.
especially toto. well, ! wrote often,
butt
But" smiled the girl, you both be.
gan 10 lose enthusiasm
Whitcomb looked ut her gratefully.
YES. something like that at least. I'm
afraid ahe did. She was pale little
girl. not eighteen. when ! saw her last
She had hair something like yours. but
without those rich. dark shades. I was
mighty fond Of the little girl. but I'm
afraid I've grown away from the cling
Ing vine type"
The violet eyes were noncommittal.
"A little hard on her II she really
cares"
Whltcomb sighed. with arm lines
showing around his lips. II know II,
and I'm going back there this summer
10 nnd her"
But then. perhaps she has forgotten
long ago Seventeen IL very young"
A dull red showed under Whitcomb's
tan. Perhaps she has. I-I--I've been
hoping since this afternoon that she
has"
The eyes were scornful now. "Do
you think you've any right 10 say that
TO mcT'
mo" meekly. "bnt-bnt you nre ev.
crything I've grown 10 admire In a
woman. no fine and strong. and
"I.ook! Look.' she interrupted.
The pontoon wns nearing sudden
bend In the river, and they were being
swept nearer TO the shore. But few
feet ahead OF them great tree leaned
far out over the water. It's branches al
most touching the surface. There was
no time for delIberatlon. no time to
stop the pontoon, for the force Of the
current here was terrific.
Before the girl could spring 20 her
feet Whltcomb had lifted Her with one
arm. while with the other he clung des.
perately TO a great branch. Tho pom
toon was swept away, and for one
awful moment II seemed that they
must be drawn into the swirlIng depths
beneath. But somehow. with the aid
OF the little strength OF the girl and
the powerful shoulders OF the man.
they found them;Avcs up on the trunk
OF the tree. 4 moment later they were
safe ashore.
The girl looked at him and spoke
with lips aud voice that trembled.
"That's twice that you have saved
me-"
Whltcomb was holding both hands In
his, but neither Of them seemed con-
scious of the fact. There was a do or
die expression In his gray eyes. I'm
going to say something. You needn't
mind. as this will be the last time that
you will ever see me-"
The girl seemed about to interrupt,
but Whitcomb gave her no opportu-
nifty.
''If-if | were free I'd do my best to
make you love me. You are my ideal
OF what girl should be. That knowl-
edge can do you no harm, can It? And
as can't help feeling II, am no more
dlsloyal to that other girl In telling
than In feeling II. Come, we must set
out for your camp"
But the girl stood still. The lowering
sun glinted on her beauty until Whit
comb turned away with firm pressed
lips.
"Perhaps-lf only she has forgotten?"
WhItcomb turned to her curlousiy.
"Would there be-no, I've no right to
ask now"
The sweet mouth dimpled. 'If that
little girl had lived out Of doors for
i've years would you recognize her.
John Whitcomb?"
Whltcomb put out trembling hand
and turned her face full into the sun.
A great conviction lighted his face.
Margaret" he cried. Margaret. do
you love me stlllT'
'Yes," said Margaret. And there was
no sound on the river bank but the
rlppllng of the water.
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The Dead Sea. -
The Dead sen II am fnnt hnInyy Saa