The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1906-07-19

geeg.n
JuStinn could readily believe this
Only tho day before she had seen thu
young man making himself agreeable
to pretty Miss Cooperton, tho assistant
bookkecpcr.
| Entering tho Office the FIRST Monday
morning after the holidays, the stcnog
raphcr and confdant OF Mrs. Truxam
found Mr.. Clarence Truxam at hia
mothers desk. "Don't bo alarmed
Miss Gilbert" tho young man said
pleasantly. Mother has gone TO Wash
ington for visit. I'll be In her place
I'LL she comes back"
There was lull In the volume Of busi.
ness these days. and M consequence
thorc were fewer letters TO writo. Direct.
iy II developed TINT Clarence Truxnm had
a faculty for conversation Of d sort. !,
began IN dsnultory talk about things In
general. Justina admitting 10 herself In
q half conscious way that another privi-
lego due her by right OF her plain face
was that OF comradeship with young
man separated from her by impasaabla
| barriers.
"Mins Gilbert" Clarence said one aft
ernoon when both OF them were unoccu-
pied. do you know. 1 like your
mo: didn't. I'm much indebted" said
Justna III her dry way. She did not look
az the questloner and presently made a
move as II 70 leave the room.
1 fptat.ft a. hte axt hA AA
'0ive tho machinery n rest for a little
while. Arc you studying the hang OF the
| engines and things no you can take the
foremans place In case OF striker
mo. had no such design"
simply love Il for lts own sake. chi
Well. there's a human sort OF machine
not far away that might be interesting.
and wants 10 be. II you would only turn
your intellectual faculties upon H."
THAT'S the business Of a psychologist. !"
said Juaiina, I'm u stonographer !
wiah business would look UP 10 that
would have more 10 do"
"Mips Gilbert. have a charge TO bring
against you" he said.
Lets hear H." she answered with un-
emotional concern,
Its very serious. ! assure you. You
obtained your situation IN the house OF
TruAhm & Co, by false prutenseAl"
Mr.. Truxnfnr' She turned from the
iio and faced him. her eyes flashing de-
nial. II seemed to her that he was car
rying plonaantry too far. Loyalty 70 Miss
Montooth aud tho interests OF the Mono
lith refinery did not demand that she
should brook an accusation like this
"please don't crush mo!'' he pleaded In
concilIa,ory tone Il really beg your
pardon. But you know you came hers In
answer 10 an advertisement"
Yes" she answered ieily, Am not
competent RA a mtenoRrapherw
Undoubtedly, or my mother would have
found II out the first week and discharged
you. It's not that part OF the bill that
you don't fiil. II you remember. II was an
ugly giri that was wanted. You came In
the guise OF that kind OF a girl. and
hAvo discovered the fraudF'
She laughed, blushing little and show
Ing her even white teeth. There was no
denying that Juatlna's teeth were pretty.
You deserve 10 take rank among the
great dlscovernrs OF all ages for this!"
aha Haid. trying not 10 be conscious of
little thrill OF pleasure.
To keep him from talking more non
sense sho took letter OF the fiie and sat
down at tho typewriter 20 copy r. She
worked furiousiy. biundeFins. forgetting
tho punctuation and spacing. what .
fool l ami" she kept saying 70 herself.
what foolr'
Tho next morning the little thing"
seemed 10 Juntina even leas. She had Just
been "a BIT Of goose" she told herself
In tho sober light OF the new day. She
would steel herself against weaknesses
OF that kind In the future
Bhe was at the Office and receiving the
mail when Mr.. Truxam came In. He
looked serious and almost severe. Justina
fancied he was ashamed OF the nonsense
he had talked the day before. Tho mail
was heavy. and II took him good while
to look over II. The girl was thankful
for that
There had been sudden awakening Of
trade and the rush OF letter writing last
cd oil day.
"was the work hard enough to suit you.
Miss Gilbert" he said when the big clock
had struck 8. Downstairs the workmen
were getting ready to 20 homo. And then
no added. resuming something OF his
sprlghtly manner. How do you think
got along today1''
"Hplendidlyr
Thank you. Commend me to mamma
when she comes back. Another favor I
arm going 70 ask OF you Ho was trying
10 catch her eye. but she avoided the
glance He crossed the narrow corridor
and pcrched on tho railing OF the sugar
pit. Tho position brought the two face to
face. II would be eternaily obliged" he
went on. ''if you would stop seconding
mothers schemes for promoting my busi
l.nz aAal.. laI n
lance"
wild stare. How did you find this outr'
she asked presently. recovering herself.
IL should not have thought you capable
OF listening TO our talki'
Don't b0 severe on me, please
hemmed and coughed to let you know
was at the open door OF the ONCE, but
80 deeply were you and mother interested
In your plot that neither Of you would
pay any attention"
IT think you ought to have gone away"
said Justina, getting back her usual COM
posure. "Pm sorry II you're not pleased
about Il, but, really. said nothing to
your mother that I wish 10 unsay. I
think she is right TO desire an advan-
tageous marriage for you"
"You dor
Eyes, Your mother Is q good business
woman-a wise woman She wants to see
you make the most OF your opportunities.
/ was perfectly sincere in all said to her.
I know how she feels. and sympathize
with her"
"You dol"
"Take care or you may fall back Oh,
don't sit ON the rail You are taking a
great risk. Please, Mr.. Truxam"--
Don't get nervous" he said, balancing
himself $50 YOU think mother has tho