The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-05-26

A lady Beautifully dressed In mhiis
dtmitv appeared In the door4cdu.
This grave courtesy caused a strong.
deep flush to spread itself under the
rouge wnicn uneyenly covered the wo.
mans cheeks as she bowed elaborate
" In return. Then furtively, during
protracted silence, she took stock OF
the new conner from the tip OF her
white suede shoes to the tiimy lace and
pink roses upon her wide white hat.
and the sideiong gaze fingered marvel
ingly upon the quiet. delicate hands,
slender and finely expressive, In their
white gloves.
Her own hands, unlike the iady's. be-
gan to fidget confusedly, aud. the 81.
lence continuing. she coughed several
times to effect the preface required BY
her sense OF fitness before she felt It
proper to observe. with polite litter:
"Mr. Louden seems to be good
while comm"
"Have you been waiting very longT
asked the lady.
Ever since o'clockf'
"Yes," said the other. shat 10 very
long"
"Yes. ma'am. II cert'nly ls." The Ice
thus broken, she felt free to use her
eyes more directly and, after a long,
frank stare. exclaimed:
"why. you must be Miss Ariel II.
Dor, ain't your
"yes'--Ariel touched one Of ths roses
upon Joe's desk with her finger tips
II am Miss Tabor"
swell, excuse me fer asking; I'm
sure 1t amt any business Of mine."
said the other, remembering the man
ners due one lady from another "But
7 thought It must be. expect" she
added, with loud. inconsequent laugh
ter. there's not many In Canaan ain't
heard you've come back" She paused.
laughed again. nervously, and again,
less loudly. to take OF the edge Of her
abruptness, gradually tittering herself
down to a pause, to oil which she put
forth, Fright nice weather we ben
havin'!"
"Yes," said Ariel.
'Tt was rainy first Of last week
though. I don't mind rain 80 much
this with more laughter-'T stay In
the house when 1t rains. Some people
dent know enough to. they say.
You've heard that saying. amt you,
Miss TaborY'
YES"
"Well, tell you" she exclaimed
nolsily. there's plenty ladies and gen.
'lemen in this town that's like that"
Her laughter did not cease. 1t be-
came louder and shriller. 1t had been
until now a mere fabrication Of the
conversation, helping to make her
easier In Miss Tabor's presence, but as
1t increased In shrillness she seemed
to be losing control Of herself. as II
her laughter were getting away with
her. She was not far from hysterla
when she stopped with gasp, and
she sat up straight In her chair, white
and rigid
"Therep' she said listening Intently.
"Ain't that himT Steps sounded upon
the pavement below, paused for a sec.
ond at the foot Of the stairs; there was
a snap Of match, then the steps
sounded again, retreating. She sank
back In her chair Imply. 1T was only
some one stoppin' to light bis cigar in
the entry. 1t wasn't Joe Louden's
step anyway"
You know his stepT Arlel's eyes
were bent upon the woman wonder
ingly.
I'D know 1t tonight" was the an
swer, delivered with sharp and pain
ful giggle Il got plenty reason to-"
Ariel did not respond, She leaned
little closer to the roses upon the desk,
letting them touch her face and breath
ing deeply of their fragrance to neu-
tralize a perfume which pervaded the
room, an odor as heavy and cheap
sweet as the face Of the woman who
had saturated her handkerchief with
1t, scent which went with her per-
fectly and made her unhappily def
mite; suited to her clumslly dyed hair,
to her soiled white shoes, to the hot
red hat smothered In plumage, to tile
restless stub fingered hands, to the fat,
plated rings, Of which she wore
great quantity, though, surprisingly
enough, the large diamonds In her ears