The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-10-16

For d moment Edna's heart saDk. II
was getting we'll along IN tho after
noon. She had had Il long day In the
woods. and now shc had 70 face d ten
mile walk 10 town unless some one
came along who would give her a mt
IN gpIte of The memories TINT cllis.
tered about the hpot she decided tint
she would remain and walt for some
thing 10 turn up
Presently grocery cart came rat
Ting along. and Edna hailed the driy'
er. iic refused ller proifcr Of money
and aprang down to help her to the
seat, The spvlg OF arbutus she pinned
Ia bis buttcnlole wns greater reward
than amy fee she could give, and he
was sorry when mile beyond sec
ond wayfarer hailed him. asking for q
ride.
Az the man turned az the sound Uf
tho wheels Edna gasped, She Ind
supposed Jack Mnstrrs 70 be out west
somewhere. yet liort wns he Or biz
double standing In tie muddy road,
"po you mIndy' nsiscd tho boy npol.
ogetically M 10 heard the anticipated
request. There's room on the seai
for three"
mot M oil" suid Edna, wonderful.
II her checks we're ns red as they fa,t
The next momept Masters sprang r
The seat.
For The first time be seemed 10 realf
he who the second occupant of ti,e
wagon was. Edna be cried. -wliat
are you doing liereys
/ II have been ont after wlli flowers,
she explained. ~I'heday waa 50 temp
ing could not stand ille city"
did yon 10 10 TIE old place;" lic
asked quietly.
'"rhe arbutrs n tliclgest there" sns
anid u guess II was abont the old
hill"
u was CIT there dny before yester
day" hc said. Somehow ! felt that l
would like 10 10 bacls to the old place
You remember that that was where,
where
III w not necessary TO be more spe
cllc." said Edna severely. IL II not
nice TO rake up unpleasant memories
The next moment she was penitent
and longcd to tell him how sorry she
was for all that had occurred. but Jack
wns looking out over the fields now.
nnd hc did not catch the CLINT OF tears
In hef eyes
lie was thinking OF the promise she
had mndc him when they were gather
Ing the arbu,us together and how they
had agreed 10 gather the arbutus the
next spring MS husband and wife.
Somehow The memory OF II had
bhught him back from the cactus and
sagehrusli of the western plains. He
had felt that be must come back--thas
perhaps IN the apringtyme she would
see things with clearer vision. He had
hoped against hopc on his long journey
across the continent. and now, AZ this
unexpected meeting, she had snuhbed
him.
Ii was several minutes before he
could command himself. but when he
turned 10 her again Il was with an I'M,
passive face and some cotfsnent upon
the destruction Of the power house.
Edna felt hurt. Why should she care
when be seemed 10 feel 80 little regret?
Her pcnitence vanished. and Instead
there cnme an eliln desire TO tease.
For moment he seemed hurt at her
flippancy: then he rallied mud met her
mood. Reneath his smiles there lay n
bleeding heart. but he did not show his
hurt. and the Indifference reused Edna
10 further flights until she was almost
lnsolent.
He bore with her patiently, but when
at last the boy drew up az the outskirts
and announced that he had 70 turn of
TO his store Jack sprang TO the ground
ana caught her In his arms as sic
sought to jump to the ground without
his assistance. Just for moment they
shared the fragrance OF the arhutus
that was crushed between them; then
he released her with Il sigh and fell
into step beside her.
II do not need your escort" she pro-
tested when II lie...... - apparent that