Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1907-08-31

wayw said Joe.
wasn't itv' she agreed cheerfully.
And he trusted the Judge absolutely
don't. you see"
He gave her a thoughtful look and
nodded. "No. he isn't a good man." he
said, mot even according to his lights.
but I doubt II he could have managed
to get away with anything of conse-
Iluence after he became the admins
traitor He wouldn't have tried II prob
ably unless he was more desperately
pushed than / think he has been lt
would have been too dangerous Sup
1ose you wait week or so and thinS
over"
"Dut there's something want you 10
| n FOR me Immediately, joe"
"What's thatT
FL want the old house put IN order.
I'm going to live there"
"AloneT
"I'm almost twenty-seven. and that's
being enough of an old maid for me TO
risk Canaans thinking me eccentric.
isn't ltT
ut will think anything you do is al
right"
"And once" she cried, sit thought
everything | did wrongl'
Yes. That's the difference"
You mean II will commend me be.
cause I'm thought rlchT
"No. no." he said medltatlvely. at
isn't that It's because everybody will
be In love with you"
quite everybody she asked.
Certainly" he replied. Anybody
who didn't would be absurd"
"Ah. Joe!' she laughed. "You al.
ways were the incest boy In the world.
my dearv'
At that he turned toward her with
a sudden movement. and his lips part.
ed, but not to speak. She had rested
one arm upon the desk and her cheek
upon her hand; the pen she had pick.
ed up, still nbsently held In her fin.
gers, touching her lips. and II was
given 10 him 20 know that he would
always keep that pen. though he would
never write with II again. The soft
lamplIght fell across the lower part
Of her face, leaving her eyes. which
were lowered thoughtfully. I'm the
shadow OF her hat. The room was
blotted out in darkness behind her
Like the background OF an antique
portrait, the office. with It's dusty cor.
ners and shelves and hldeous safe,
had vanished. leaving the charming |
and thoughtful face revealed against |
an even, spacious brownness Only |
Ariel and the roses and the lamp were |
clear and n strange small pain NOV.
ed from Joc's heart 90 his throat as he |
thought that this ugly office. always
before so harsh and grim and lonely
loneliest for him when II had been
most crowded-was now transhgured |
into something very, very different |
from an office: that this place where |
he sat- with lamp and flowers on q
desk between him and a woman who
called him my dear" musS be like
like something that people called
"home."
And then he leaned across the desk
toward her as he said again what he
bad said IA little while before. and his
voice trembled;
"Ariel, II Is your
She looked at him aud smiled.
You'll be here always. won't you?
You're not going away from Canaan
ngainT
For moment Il seemed that she
had not heard him. Then her bright
glance at him wavered and fell. She
rose, turning slightly away from him.
but not so far that he could not see
the sudden agitation In her face.
"Ah," he cried. rising. too. II don't
want you 20 think don't understand
DR. that l meant should ever ask you
10 stay here! couldn't mean that.
You know couldn't, don't your You
know l understand that it's all Just
your beautiful friendliness, don't youT
1T isn't beautiful; It's just me, joe"
she said. 1T couldn't be any other
way"
tits enough that You should be here
low," he went on bravely. his voice
steady, though his hand shook. "Noth-
ng so wonderful as your staying could
'ver actually happen. It's just a light
'oming into dark room ana out again.
)ne day long ago. never forgot II.
'ome apple blossoms blew by me as
passed an orchard. and it's like that
90. But, oh. my dear. when you 20
'ou'll leave fragrance In my heart
hat will lastw
She turned toward him, her face suf-
used with a rosy light You'd rather
ave died than have said thar 10 me
nee" she cried. I'm glad you're
weak enough now 90 confess itp'
He sank down again into his chair,
nd his arms fell heavily on the desk.
Confess H.. he cried despairingly.
And you don't deny that you're going
way again-so it's true! wish l
admit realized II 50 soon. | think ia
ather have tried to fool myself about
a little longer!"