The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-06-28

Reluctantly hr recalled n rumor TINT
Miss Morton had recently moved west
10 Indianapolis. Ills mind wandered
bnck to TINT evening three years ago
when she had Mi but literally thrown
their engagement ring at his head She
had declared TINT she would never
speak to him again. and she had n
most mulish way Of keeping her word.
II had been NO foolish Of her 10 fy at
him for merely demonstrating with her
over the alterations Of another fellow.
No he concluded hotly TO himself,
rather than that his name should have
TO stand on the Indianapolis police rec
ords.
After II minutes study OF the docu.
ments In evidence the captain turned
his scrutiny to the prospective prison
or. lie was kindly old man, far DIFF
ferent from the officer Of Keliogg's I'm.
aginatlon.
"Now, let's hear your side Of the
case" he said presently.
The young man reconnted hIs trou.
bios from the finding Of the substltu.
ton. He CLOSED nothing over; he
blamed no one but himself.
"Peronally | believe your story" the
captain declared at tho close OF the
narration: Officially do not dare.
But, since cannot hold you on the
charge OF using another mans ticket.
no such alternative charge having been
made. you will bo set at liberty II you
can Identify yourself to my satisfac-
ton"
This was greater ciemency than the
other had dared hope. but greater only
II he could bring himself TO court the
ridicule OF his former hancee. As the
otiicsr's interest In the case seemed to
warrant the confidence, Kellogg made
q clean breast Of his status with Miss
Morton. did you ever hear Of more
humiliating predicamentf" he ap'
pealed.
"You should take your medicine like
a man. It's part OF your punishment"
laughed the other. II am relieved at 8,
Well 20 and hunt her up"
"she might refuse to Identify me,
and then whatr'
"she would scarcely want you to
spend the night behind the bars. Even
so, think can detect the fact II she
knows you"
An hour later they had reached the
house, to tho growing distrust Of the
prisoner Miss Morton was at home
and by good fortune alone.
Keeping young Kellogg partly con.
cealed behind him, the captain lost no
time In coming to the point.
Here Is a young man whose identity
Ii involved" he began. perhaps you
can help US out1"-quickly producing
his charge
"why- What II don't know the
manT she corrected.
"He would be held pending proof
from the east"
The situation was too good for In.
stant spelling. "What Is the charge?"
she querled further.
The officer needed not an appealing
little tug at his coat sleeve HE has
been passing under the name Of
Charles A. Winter, who is badly want.
cd by three wives about New York
city"
1.-THE last time l knew anything
about him he was bachelor Of the
name OF Frank Kellogg" she com.
mented, "and he came from that self.
same city"
"That is sufficient. Thank you for
the information. Good evening"" Turn
ing to the open door, the captain van
ished into the night.
For full minute they stood facing
each other In silence. A three years
breach Is not to be bridged In as many
seconds. Kellogg was the first to
speak
"Won't you shake hands, GraceT" he
asked, extending his own.
q Miss Morton laughed a delicious,
provoking little laugh. "For getting
you out of a scrape or for the sake of
old tlmes" was the counter question
as her hand rather doubtfully met his
halfway.
"Well, you've conceded one point
anyway" ignoring the query. "You de-
clared you'd never speak to me again"
"While you as emphatically asserted
that you'd never give me the chance"
she retorted. ....
He might have explained that 1t re-
quired the police department to drive
him to 1t, but instead he remarked:
"Now that I've returned to Grace,
aren't you going to invite me to sit
down and stay a few minutes?"
Heavens, wonder II he's looking
for fourth wife alreadyv she medl.
tated aloud, gathering up her trailing
skirts as IL to fee from the room.
'Now, that's rubbing 1t in too hard"
grieved the other.