The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-22

jeffrey had been devoted lover, ap'
lparently blind to her growing indiffer-
encc toward him,
The fact that their betrothal was a
family affair and as vet unannounced
would have made It easier for her to
have told him the truth and thus
broken Off the engagement, but a GER
tain pity for him had stilled the words
that had so often trembled on her lips.
for only since the advent Of Richard
Hilton into her world had she known
what love was--that sweet upland
| path that one knows instinctively
leads to heights Of bliss--heights
whence It takes lifetime to descend,
II was the old story Of pledged
word and love come too late. She
had turned Hilton away and-Jeffrey
was speaking again In a slow. hesitat-
ing way, very unlike his usual man.
ner.
"You remember that day In Rome
when we were looking in the window
of old Riconi. the goldsmith, and We
both saw the -ringT He touched her
finger gently with one hand.
yes" she said. a little breathlessly
II was not often that jeffrey spoke OF
such matters. Their engagement had
been singularly free from sentiment
"And you admired It's quaint setting.
and so bought II and we called II an
engagement ring he went on lightly.
"lt Is needless to relate that the houses
Of Vincent and Littleton rejoiced great.
" and that our boy and girl attach.
ment settled into Darby and JoaH
fatness." There was a tinge Of bit.
terness in his voice that caused an up
lifting Of her pretty brows.
"And?' she suggested haughtily.
Il have thought perhaps you might
have tired of me and wanted your free.
dom, only-.your conscience-you know
you have conscience, little cousin
II am sorry, jeffrey, that my con-
science, as you call it, has been the
means of binding you to an unwelcome
contract. No; do not speak," she said
coldly. 1T is true that | would never
have been the one to break the engage
ment because my word is my law.
and Her voice broke suddenly.
Il thought you'd be pleased" cried
jeffrey in CONSERVATION. You know
-Hilton--you see''- He stammered
confusedly as she started to her feet
BE still!' she said in low, passion
ate voice. Don't you know that you
are too late now? Why didn't you jilt
me before?" She sank back on the
rocks and buried her face in her hands |
with little sobbing cry.
jeffrey reddened darkly at her
words. He scrambled down from the |
powders and stood on the beach be-
fore her. 81 am very sorry, Helen. |
know you think I'm a cad. but-I can
not explain. You may understand
some day"
wait" she said scornfully. lifting
a fearful face to his. "You must un-
derstand that l am not breaking my |
heart over your desertion. 1t is be-
cause ! have just sacrificed lifetime
Of happiness for such as your
She drew the brilliant ring from her
finger and held 1t toward him.
Wont you keep that, Helen, just for
he asked awkwardly.
Il cannot" she said coldly, and 1t
dropped into his reluctant hand. Pres
emily he found himself following clear
ly defined footprints in the damp sand.
They skirted the beach and circled the
lighthouse. When they ceased jeffrey
found himself face to face with Rich
ard Hilton.
Hello, Hiltonw he said genially,
evading the other mans miserable
eyes "Going down the beach? If
you are ! wish you'd just take this
to my cousin-Miss Vim.
cent. She's sitting on the rocks be-
vond the point" He held out a morsel
of cobweb and lace.
Hilton hesitated.
81 don't know" he said doubtfully.
You see, I'm waiting for the 4:3O
rain. Pm going back to the city to-
light. Important business
well, all right. You see, I'm going
o take that same train myself-must
,atch the Lucretia tomorrow morning
going abroad for three years, and"- {.
II guess I'll have time to run up
here with it." said Hilton eagerly.
'GOodby, old man! Hope you have a
rood time. Goodbye He swung
lround the point with the fiuttering
in his hand. Jeffrey fol-
owed his going with a strange smile
IN his lips.
He opened his clinched right hand
md disclosed the curious little ring
which Helen had returned to him. AS
le looked at it his full lips stiffened
nto straight. hard lines. He lifted his