The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-06-02

v
"QuIte eyerybodyw she asked,
"certniniy," he replied. Anybody
who didn't would be absurd"
aAh. Jocl' she laughed, you al.
ways were the nlcest hoy IN the world,
my dearr'
AT that no turned toward her with
a sudden movement, and hla lips part.
Cd, but not to speak, She had rested
one arm upon the desk and her cheek
upon her hand; ne pen she had pick.
ed up. stiil sbsently held In her I'm.
gers, touching her HIPS, and II was
given 10 him 10 know that he would
always keep that pen. though no would
never write with II again. Tho soft
lamplight fell across the lower part
Of her face, leaving hcr eyes. which
were lowered thoughtfully, In tho
shadow Of her hat The room was
biottcd out IN darkness behind her
Like tho background OF an antique
portrait. the oiiice. with In dusty cor
nars and shelves and hidcous safe,
had vanished. leaving the charming
and thoughtful face revealed against
an even. spacious brownness. Only
Ariel and tho roses and the lamp were
clear. and strange, small pain NOV.
"a from Joe's heart to his throat a. he
thought that this ugly Office. always
before 10 harsh and grlm and lonely
ionelieat for him when Il had been
most crowdsd--was now transngured
into something very, very different
from an ONCE; that this place where
he sat, with lamp and nowers on a
desk between him and q woman who
called him ''my dear" must DO like
Ike something that people called
"home."
And then he leaned across the desk
toward her as he said again what he
had said d little while before. and hin
voice trembled;
"Ariel. Il 70 your
She looked nj him and smiled.
you'll he here always, won't your
You'rc not going away from Canaan
againY'
For a moment II seemed that she
had not heard him. Then hsr bright
glance az him wavered and fell. She
rose. turning slightly away from him,
but not 40 far that he could not see
the sudden agitation Ia her face.
.Ah." he cried. rising, too, Il don't
want you 10 think | don't understand
or that meant should ever ask YOU
to stay herel | couldn't mean that.
You know couldn't. don't youi You
know understand that lt's all Just
your beautiful friendlIness, don't your
''ft isn't beautiful; It's Just me. Ioe."
abe said. 1T couldn't DO any other
way"
tits enough that you should be here
now" he went on brayely. hts voice
steady. though his hand shook, Moth.
Ing so wonderful as your staying could
ever actually happen. It's just q light
coming into dark room aud out again.
One day long ago. | never forgot H.
some apple blossoms blew BY me as
passed an orchard. and It's like that
too. But, oh. my dear, when you 20
you'll leave a fragrance In my heart
that will lastl"
She turned toward him. her face suf.
fused with rosy light. ''You'd rather
have died than have said that to me
once" she cried. I'm glad you're
weak enough now to confess ltl''
He sank down again Into hla chair,
and his arms fell heavily on tho desk.
Confess ItF' he cried despaIrlngly.
"And you don't deny that you're going
away again 50 it's truel wish |
hadn't realized Il 70 soon. think I'D
rather have tried 10 fool myself about
II little longerT
Joe" she cried In a voice OF great
pain, ''you mustn't feel like that How
do you know I'm going away agaIni
Why should ! want the old house put
In order unless mean 10 stay5 And II
I went You know that could never
change. You know how I've always
cared for you
"Yes," he said, II DO know how. II
was always the same. and II always
win be, won't III"
I've shown that" she returned
quickly.
Yes. You say ! know how you've
cared for me, and do. l know how,
It's just In one certain way--Jonathan
and DAVID
isn't that pretty good way, JoeT
"Never fear that I don't underestimate
He got to his feet again and looked at |
her steadily.
"Thank you. joe She wiped sudden |
tears from her eyes.
"Don't you be sorry for me-" no said.
"Do you think that passing the love Of
women isn't enough for meY'
mo-" she answered humbiy.
.I'll have people at work on the old
house tomorrow" he began. "And for
tho
'I've kept you 80 longp' she inter-