The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-08-04

Z
crime replied, blushing over the una
voidahle badness OF the admission.
"Ohr commented Jack placidly
We'll, granted Il was a man, would
you recognize Il second time-that
is, IL you had your eyes closed and
the same man kissed you again. could
you identify the kiss, do you think|
"How perfectly horrid OF you to
suggest such a thing" accused Kath'
crime. "You don't consider my feel
ings In the least. Just like you bru'
tai. cold blooded lawyers, You can't
be human IL you try"
In spite Of his effort at control the be
rated young attorney burst out laugh
ing. Ii was a most unfortunate thing
for him to have done, for Immediately
Katherine buried her face In the ham
mock cushions and began sobblng con.
vulsively.
Jack watched her perplexedly. She
looked very appealing in her graceful
slenderness. He could think Of only
one thing to do-and he did 1t,
Katherine was on her feet In an in.
slant. her cheeks tear stained and
flushed with indignation.
$50 1t was you the first time after
all, Jack Kingsley she exclaimed. i
think you're too contemplate for
words. You're thief and a~-and you
don't tell the truth, and
Not so fast, not so fast" begged
Jack gently Il really wasn't the first
one, Katherine, upon my honor,
but
"Well, what in Cupid's name are
you two Quarreling about?' called
Bill Heming from the near back
ground. Cant an unmarried man
pardon me. | shaald have said an in
eligible man--tinl one undisturbed
spot In this hymeaeal garden? just
passed two other lovers down the
path who seemed to be bit out Of
tune. 1t must be the weather"
81 assure you the weather has moth.
ing to do with it, Mr.. Heming,' an
swered Katherine haughtily,
"She's right Bill" assented Jack
genially. The cause of our seeming
disagreement is purely
Imaginary" interrupted Katherine,
with such manifest alarm that both
men laughed heartily.
But in spite of this little diversion
the conversation dragged along apa-
thetically, and Bill at length gave up
his attempts to mend the situation.
"Well," he said, yawning ostent
tiously, guess I'll go in and plo
with the infant. He's nearer my levtI
than you self absorbed grownups. By
the way. Miss Katherine, how did you
like our little joker"
"Whose-what little joker demand
ed Katherine apprehensively.
"Reginald's and mine, Of course. We
watched you asleep for awhile; then
we thought it would be great fun t
wake you up. So we kissed you"
"Mr. Heming" gasped Katherine
"You don't mean to say that YOU
Bless you. no. my dear. JUS
helped Reginald.
But what-what did you run away
for?" katherine pursued inquiringly.
"Oh. that's a little habit of mine
Miss Katherine" was Hemlng's cabal
istic reply as. musing, he walked to.
ward the house.
Queer old duffer. isn't he?" com
mented Jack by way Of giving Kath
! erine time for a bit of mental read
I iustment.
"The rest Of the house party call him
| Bill the Matchmaker, she remarked
Her manner was wholly impersonal
II don't wonder" Jack assented.
/ There was an awkward little 81
| lence.
Jack"
! What is it, Katherine|
What were you going to tell hin
was the cause Of our-our quarrel?'
Il started to say the cause was pure
ly-osculatory."
"Jackw
"Well, wasn't it? Tell me, Rather
inc, were you really awfully angry
| with meT'
| Katherine nodded. For two rea.
sons" she said, with emphasis, zone
because | thought you had been the
first one who kissed me and that you
had lied about it."
And the secondp
Because if you weren't the first l.
Twas sorry you had not been, Jack"
For several seconds there was un
rufIled quiet in the "hymeneal gar
den" Then Jack broke the serenity
with a question.
when shall we tell the others" he
asked softly.
"Oh, not for days and days." de-
clared Katherine jealousy. "It's sucl
fun to have a secret"
But inside the house, without wait.
ing for authority. two-year-old baby
was babbllng to the admiring group
gathered about him.
Man say-kiss Katha. Kiss Katha
man." And all smiled comprehen.
sively.