The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-12-07

BUY
"iut ] thought Billy wouldn't speak
to YOU"
Hell liayo to-" Mnrta declared,
"and while VIC are waiting for our
pnrfnlt I'll ask the question"
Before Archie could stop her sln was
out Of her chair and halfway across
the room.
billy" she said as she came 10 to
the other table, and Butler turned half
around IN his seat and stared at her.
"MartaW he calculated. "Whcro did
you come fromf" And he was on bis
feet IN an instant.
II am at tho other table," Marta ex.
planned. with Archie ynndorvort. He
wants you TO decide an argument, aud
II You don't mind going over I win sit
down here for minute"
Certainly, and I'm so glad to have
you meet Miss Merriam. Ruth, this "
ono OF my Oldest friends, Marta
Blaine"
You won't mind his going over to
tho other table, win your" Marta ask
ed as she nat down.
"Oh. no." and Miss Merriam turned
ON her a brilliant glance, mot II you
VIII stay with me, I have heard 30
much about you. Miss Blaine"
"ob, dear" Marta questioned, what
has Billy been Sayingf"
such nice thlngs,' the other girl
told her. And now that have seen
you ! don't believe they are any too
nice"
Marta waved the 1nttcry aside.
"Denr child" she said, BILLY viii
say anything when hc Is out Of my
sight. | can keep him straight when
l am with him"
II just love Cousin Billy" said Miss
Merriam, Hes the dearest thingr'
Marta stared. Cousin" she said
cousin! Are you Biliy's cousinf"
Eyes"
"Wcll. might have known" Marta
murmured. Dear old Blllyw Then
she went on: Il am with my cousin
too. He wants to paint you. He IL an
artist, you know. You won't mindf"
Il should love H." said Ruth.
"It's about your hair" Marta told
her. that sent Bully over. Archie
said II was gold, and said II was red.
You mustn't mind my saying II. be-
cause really was jealous Of you. But
now that ! know you are Bllly's cousin
| think your hnlr Is beautiful. was
afraid ! should have 10 send you tea.
spoons"
Teaspoons was Ruth's puzzled
question.
"yes, for a wedding present, you
know"
Ruth blushed.
"Thc iden!" she said. why. every
one knows that Biliy's dead In love
with you. He has told me no n dozen
times"
Marta gave sigh Of relief. II was
afraid he had stopped" she said. "And
| should miss Billy's alteration dread
fully"
II shall never stop" said Billy. who
had come up behind her. Then he
went on as II he had made the most
commonplace declaration. Archie
says you are TO come back and eat
your parfait. Marta"
Il would rather eat II with you."
said Marta unblushingly. I'm tell you.
Billy. you bring Archie over here and
we win introduce him 10 Ruth. He
wants TO paint her picture. and he
would rather talk to her than eat, and
you can come over to the other table
and have parfait with me and every.
thing will be lovely"
"Yes. everything win be lovely"
Billy agreed, but Ruth said in a star
tied way. "oh!'
"Oh. you needn't mind" Marta said
when Archie had been presented and
was seated opposite tho red gold beau
ty. BILLY and win chaperon you
from the other table. II will be per
fectly proper. for we are engaged, you
know" And, with sparkling glance
at her lover, she swept past the foun-
tain toward the balcony.
well. OF all things" Billy ejaculat-
cd. Then he held out his hand to
Archie. Congratulate me-" he said
II don't know what made her change
her mind, but I've been working for
this for year. And, with happiness
fairly radiating from his handsome
he made his way across
the room to where the lady Of his heart
awaited him.