The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1907-07-28

iusai W sou, JUG.
NO" he returned: "loyal to Eskew,"
ITO you both" she said, I'm afraid
the old circle Is broken up. They
haven't met ON the National House cor.
ner since he died, The colonel told Inc
he couldn't bear to go there again"
II don't believe any OF them ever
WILL" he returned. "And yet never
pass the place that | don't SEQ Eskcw
In his old chair, went there last
night to commune with him. couldn't
sleep. and | got up aud went over
there. They'd left the chairs out. the
town was asleep. and II was beautiful
moonlight ...
"ro commune with him? What
aboutT
You"
"Why?" she asked. plainly mystihed
Il stood In need OF good COUNSEL" he
answered cheerfully, "or n friendly
word, perhaps. and rs sat there after
awhile II came"
What was III"
ITO forget that | was sodden with
selflshness, TO pretend not 10 be MS full
Of meanness as really was. Doesn't
that seem TO be Eskcw's own volceT
Weren't you happy last night. Joe?"
"0h, II was all right" he said quick.
ly. Don't you worry"
And ut this old speech of his she
broke into little laugh, OF which he
had no comprehension.
Mamie came to see me early this
morning." she said after they had
walked on In silence for time. "Ev.
erythIng Is all right with her again
that is. think II VIII be. Eugene Is
coming home. And" she added thought.
fully. ut win be best for him TO have
his old place on the Tocsin again. She
showed me his letter, and | liked II. |
think he's been through the fire.
Joe's distorted smile appeared. "And
has come out goldT' he asked,
"So." she laughed, but nearer II.
AndsI think he'll try 10 be more worth
her caring for. She has always thought
that his leaving the Tocsln In the way
he did was heroic. That was her word
for It. And II was the finest thing he
ever did" ...
81 can't figure Eugene out" Joe
shook his head. There's something
behind his going away that don't
understand" This was altogether the
truth, nor was there ever to come d
time when either he or Mamie would
understand whit things had deter.
mined the departure of Eugene Ban.
try, though Mamie never questioned,
as Joe did, the reasons for II or doubt
ed those Eugene had given her, which
were the same he had given her father,
for she was content with his return.
Again the bells across the square
rang out their chime. The paths were
decorously enliyened with family and
neighborhood groups bound church.
ward, and the rumble of the organ,
playing the people into their pews,
shook on the air. And Joe knew that
he must speak quickly II he was to say
what he had planned to say before he
and Ariel went into the church.
"Arlel" He tried to compel his
voice to a casual cheerfulness, but It
would do nothing for him except be-
tray desperate embarrassment.
She looked at him quickly and as
quickly away. "YesY
II wanted to say something to you,
and I'd better do 1t now, | think-be.
fore go to church for the first time in
two years" He managed to laugh,
though with some ruefulness, and con
tnued stammerlngly Il want to tell
you how much like hm-how much |
admire him
admire whom?" she asked, a little
coldly, for she knew.
"Mr. Ladew."
$50 do l." she answered. looking
straight ahead "That Is one reason
why | wanted you to come with me
today"
ut isn't only that. | want to tell
you-to tell you'- He broke off for a
second. "You remember that night In
my office before Fear came INF"
Eyes, remember"
"And that THAT something | said
troubled you because lt-lt sounded as
If ! cared too much for YOU
mo; not too much" She still looked
straight ahead. They were walking
very slowly. "You didn't understand.
You'd been in my mind, you see, all
those years, 50 much more than in
yours. hadn't forgotten you. But to
you | was really stranger
"No, no" he cried
Eyes, / was" she said gently, but
very quickly. "And IL didn't want
you to fall In love with me at first
sight. And yet--perhaps / ddl But /