The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-03-17

kind Of thing occurring upon our front
lawn
The flush upon her wet checks deep
ened an1 became dark. Even her arm
grew redder as she gazcd back ut him
III his eyes was patent his complete
realization Of the figure she cut, Of this
bare arm, Of the strewn hair, OF the
fallen stocking, Of the ragged shoulder
OF her blouse, 0f her patched short
skirt, Of the whole dIsleycled little fig.
ure. IIc WINS the master Or the house.
and he was sending her home M III be.
baved children are sent home by
ncigbbors.
The immoblc, amused superiority Of
this proprietor Of silver boxes, this
wearer Of strange and brilliant gar.
ments. became slightly Intensified M
be pointed to the fallen sleeve, a rag
OF red and snow, lying near her feet.
lyon might take that with you?" he
said InteTogaiiycly.
Her gnze had not wayered In meet
| ing his. bnt at this her cyelashes be.
gan to wink uncontrollably. her chin
10 trembe. She bent over the sleeve
rnd picked II up before Joe Louden,
who had started toward her. could do
| II for her. Then turning. her head still
| bent 40 that her face was hidden from
] both Of them. she ran out OF the gate
Ariel ran along the fence until she
came TO the next gate. which opened
upon walk leading to shabby, me
andering old house Of one story, with O
very long. low porch, once painted
white, running the full length Of the
front. Ariel sprang upon the porch
and disappeared within the house
Joe stood looking after her, his eye
lashes winking as had hers. "Yor
oughtn't TO have treated her that way
he said huskily.
"pick up that banjo ca.' again and
come on commanded Mr. eantry tart
ly. "Wheres the materr'
Joe stared at him. Where's what"
"The materw was the f'owning re
ply.
"Oh, yes, | know" said Jce, lookin,
at his stepbrother curiously. "I've seer
It In stories She's upstairs. You'u D'
a surprise You're wearing lots o
clothes, Gene"
II suppose 1t will seem so to Canaan.
returned the other weariedly. Govern
or feeling ftf'
~ never saw him" .Ioe replied tbei
caught himself. "Oh, | see what yo'
mean, Yes. he's all right
They had come into the hall, and Eu
gene was removing the long coat Will
his stepbrother looked at him thought
fully.
"Gene," asked the latter In sof
tened voice. have you seen Mami
Pike YETI"
"You will find, my young friend" RI
sponded Mr.. Bantry. III you ever Q
about much outside OF Canaan. that ID
dies names are not supposed to b
mentioned indiscriminately."
ITS only" said Joe, that wante
to say that there's dance at the
house tonight. l suppose you'll be 6
lng?"
= Certainly. Are you?"
Both knew that ths question WI
needless, but Joe answered gently:
"0h. no, Of course not. He leane
over and fum5ied with one foot as
TO fasten loose shoestring. Isl
wouldn't be very likely to ask me-"
well. what about it?"
"0nly that-that Arie Tabor's going
"Indeed" Kugeue paused on Il
stairs, which he had begun to ascen
VERY Interesting"
81 thought" continued Joe hopeful
Strengthening up to look at him, 9TH;
maybe you'd dance with her. don
believe many win ask her-l'm afra
they won't-and II YOU would. eve
only once, it would kind Of make |
for"-he faltc"ed-''toe oft there" |
finished, noddjng his head in the dire
tion of the gate.
II Eugene vouchsafed any reply
was lost III a loud. shrili cry fro
above, as small, intensely nervoj
; looking woman in blue silk ran ha
way down the stairs to meet him al
caught him tearfully in her arms.
, Dear old materr said Eugene.
, Joe went out of the front do
, quickly.
CONTINUED Next Sunday.)