The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-08-16

office In q southern state and her
brother who had won recognition for
bravery In the Philippines; how she
had been suddenly obliged to work
after her fathers death and stenogra-
ply was the most immediate thing. but
that she had no intention OF being Q
stenographer all her life.
When he asked her what she would
do or what she wanted TO do she iirst
looked at him and then blushed deep
~. looking out Of his window toward
the Palisades, and he felt strangely
disturbed. He had accepted her In his
Office as matter fof course. Compar-
ionship with her on that basis seemed
natural and easy, but he was a man of
reserve, and departure from the con
servatiye routine disquieted his phieg
matte nature. Their conversation kept
the old friendly tone Of everyday badi-
mage and comprehension, but there
was subtle difference, and he began
to feel her presence more and more.
Finally one spring afternoon when
the sun was flooding his Office with q
primrose yellow glow she looked in
and asked IL she might talk with him.
why, certainly he responded, with
a smile, ''and ] wish you would sit In
that yellow light. 1t just suits you In
that brown dress.r
she sat down, but did not speak at
first Her lips trernbled, and she seem
ed TO be seeking courage from the vel
low sky. Suddenly she turned to him.
"Mr. Lee" she said, Il have beer
with you four years"
"Is It as long as thatr he quea.
toned.
-Four years this day.
"They have been busy years. hs
| said, aand, ! hope, happy ones
aTes, they were happy" she answer
ed slowly as a pink flush spread ovei
her face. But now I must go away"
| go away? Leave me? Why, Helen.
| you mustn't. can't spare you. Where
would you got"
In his surprise he had called her Hei-
| en- for the first time, and her heart
leaped. She turned to him tremulously
| and said, almost timidly, Il am going
to get married.
Married. He brought out the word
| incredulousIy. why, l thought
Here he broke of and walked to the
window. where he stood, his hands In
bis pockets, gazing moodily across the
river.
She sat silent until he turned to her
again. why do You do this?' be ques-
/ toned.
/ womanlike, she began with the rea-
| sons she felt least. Because want q
home. | am all by myself, and am
| tired OF living in boarding house. Il
is nothing but trayesty on life for .
domestic woman to divide her tims DO
tween an Office and q boarding house
Besides, / have worked for four years
and want to stop for awhile"
"Just for awhileT"
| "Yes. for mean to study law ant
keep my other work in practice 80
can help"
Help? WhomY
4 Help him"
"He Is lawyer, thenT Lee almos
choked over the question.
YES"
what Is he likei Is he all right
Is be worthy OF your"
| She looked at him, he thought, llttl'
sadly. Liner He Is the finest maj
in tie whole world
He walked swiftly to her. .But
Helen, Helen" he exclaimed, Il dom
understand 1t at all. I thought yol
were happy here, and supposed, o
course, you understood things. In
lonely too. / haven't had home TO
six years and / thought that some da!
Helen, don't you mind leaving me
Won't you miss me at allf Haven
you seen, girl. what you are to mei'
| He took her hands and drew her up be
side him. Didn't you know, Helen?"
"Know whatT" She lifted her BROW
eyes to his.
"That love you and want you to b.
mineT"
You never said So" she answered.
'That's because I thought you knew
and because always blunder. / neet
somebody with me all the time. / neet
you, Helen. You're the biggest part o
my life. Come and make home 70
me-"
He folded her suddenly in his arms
and his heart thrilled as he felt he
lean on him.
| Sweetheart he whispered, i low
you love ycuv'
! She lifted her face to his. "Dear,
she breathed so softly that he had Il
bend to catch it, Il have loved you TO
four years"
He held her close in the gatherin;
dusk for one ecstatlc moment. Thel
she drew away. He came back t
earth slowly. Not letting her 80, HI
looked away and out Of the window
where the golden light had been mers
ed into a dull purple streaked with rel
and where the evening star CLEANED
radiant In the upper blue. This othc
nhan . no harnn