The Hood River glacier. (Hood River, Or.) 1889-1933, 1906-01-18

to dine with Renwick, the closest or
his college friends. He had just time
TO catch him by telephone before he
left his Office, which he did, arranging
to meet him at the elevated station and
60 up town with him.
The first efferyescence Of their meet
ing over, Stoughton's beaming eyes
roved over the other passengers. A
slight figure at the far end Of the car
held his glance. He looked again to be
sure.
"Pardon me a minute, Jack" he said,
rising and making his way toward the
girl, with whom a moment later he
was shaking hands cordially and talk
ing with the ease OF long friendship.
Presently he returned to Renwick, and
as he did so a revealing look passed
between the two. A bridge at last!
ITS Natica Alston, cousin Of mine,
you know" he explained to Renwick.
Tough luck they had, ] tell you. But
she's plucky girl. She has earned her
own living now for four years"
"Will you present mef demanded
Renwick eagerly.
Certainly. III take you up there
with me. Natlca viii be glad T. re-
ceive any friend Of mine"
THANK you, old fellow; thank you"
Renwick paused awkwardly. lie
seemed to have something else to siy.
but scarcely knew how to say 1t.
when | said-asked you to intro
duce mel didn't mean the usual thing.
I'm going to ask you to do something
queer and to do 1t without asking too
many questions"
"What kind of a mystery Is thisT'
inquired Stoughton. IF | didn't know
that there isn't grain of romance In
you should certainly think"-
Now, don't think there's a good
fellow" soothed Renwick. "Just fol.
low instructions. Tell Miss Aston al
about me, and mind that you tell her
everything good that you can or III
wiring your neck, and make an appoint
ment for me to call. Don't make any
mistake. | want to see her and see
her alone. don't want you there"
When poor, mystified BIZ Stoughton
broached the subject to Natlca her be-
hayior was doubly mysterious. No,
she didn't want to know anything
about him. Then a moment later.
did you say he Is bachelorT I'm
nocently) II thought he was n wild
over"
Stoughton. Indignantly, 81 thought
you knew nothing about himY
II don't, but he wore mourning"
"That was for his mother"
In the dim little patlor Of the small
apartment where she and her mother
lived they met for the first time alone
save for the dead and gone Alstons
that looked down upon them from the
walls. Surely never was such first
meeting before.
When the maid ushered him in,
Natlca looking rather more like lily
than usual In her long, soft black
gown, rose with every intention OF
greeting him in the most formal man.
ner. Then most unlocked for thing
occurred
For moment they looked into each
others eyes. Then he stretched out
his hands toward her, and she placed
hers In them. A moment later she
was swept Up into his arms as II she
had been child as he murmured soft
ly, "My dear, dear lover
what shall we tell mammal" wall
ed Natlca In despair a half hour later
'How can we ever explain ourselvesf
I'VE can't" replied Renwick com
fortably. we might Just as well re
sign ourselves to being thought mad
II all comes from the ridiculous su
perstition that In order to know people
you must talk to them"
And then-~well, then they forgot the
world and its opinions to talk of fai
loyelier things.