The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-07


she might have formed since last be
saw her, II might be that the terrible
longing In his heart was never TO be
satisfied, and then the necessity for
speech became almost intolcrablc. II
was because OF this that he had spoken
In the old fashion. "Cynthy. s'pose we
tell what has happened since last we
metp
And Cynthy had not resented the re.
turn to old speech or the use OF her
name. but had answered simply.
"S'posln'." and Lem was not disposed
10 quarrel about the answer.
But II was one thing to decide to
speak and quite another TO find the
words one wanted. While hc was still
seeking them Cynthy said, "S'pose ]
beginT
Gratefully Lem accepted their re.
yersed positions and answered In his
turn, 'S'posln'."
Cynthy found a comfortable spot and
sat down, while Lem threw himself at
her feet Then she began In simple.
unaffected way to tell the story. which
the man eagerly drank In. 80 much
depended upon that story. II would
either open his lips or seal them for
ever. and be knew IT, He composed
himself to listen, determined that mel
ther by word nor look should he en-
barrass her or make II difficult for her
to give him this glimpse Of her life. lie
could not help wondering II II meant
an much to her as to him.
There isn't a great deal to my
story. Lem" said Cynthy. II did not
know how fond OF the old place was
until we had moved away. They say
that those who are left behind feel
worse than those who go because new
things take up the attention. dare
say that IL true In way at least. but
there Is kind OF longing for old
places and old friends that Is worse
than physical pain when 1t strikes and
that only the absentee can feel. True,
II Is not always there. One could not
stand 1t II It were.' Cynthy spoke in a
reminiscent tone, more to herself than
to him, and Lem felt a sort Of comfort
In the knowledge that he was not the
only sufferer
II went TO school and gave my whole
attention to my books, as ! had de-
termined to fit myself for a teacher.
Somehow | think 1t always lay back
in my mind that should return here
some day. | will not deny that the de-
sire became less a conscious purpose
than subconscious dream as the
years went by, but about six months
ago II famed into purpose that would
brook no opposition"
Here Cynthy paused and fell to
thinking. Lem noted the fast chang
ing color now, and his heart sank
little. He wondered what had reused
Cynthy to the sudden determination
and whether II BODIED good or III for
him and his hopes. Every moment
seemed to make It more a matter Of
life and death that he should know his
fate.
With heightened color and eyes that
looked steadfastly at the far horizon.
Cynthy resumed her story, apparently
unconscious of the anxious scrutiny of
her companion, "About year ago
young student came to board with us.
As you know, never had brother,
and before long we became excellent
friends. II was very nice to have some
one to depend upon, ever ready to do
what one needed, to play escort and
big brother That was what we both
called 1t at first. But 1t seemed to
grow to be more, and-and-why, then,
he asked me to marry him. 1t was
surprise to me at first, but after awhile
l thought would say yes. Then 1t oc-
CURED to me that before tying myself
to promise that l might not be able
to keep l should see more Of life.
was not sure l could be a minister's
wife, and besides l did not know
whether loved him or not. needed
absence to prove my feeling to myself.
SO that is why am here. | applied
for and finally got the position Of
teacher. and here l am, out with You
just as In the old days, and 1t hardly
seems as II 1t could be six years since
then. Does 1t, LemT
Something In the question made the
young mans heart leap and the hot
blood rush to his head. He looked
sharply at Cynthy, but she appeared
to be merely wondering aloud. and
hope died down again. But It was time
for his story now, and, moreover, he
felt as II be could tell 1t, indeed must
tell 1t, let the outcome be what It
might
ut seems to me, Cynthy," he said,
"that perhaps without my knowing 1t
you have always been big factor in
my life. / had taken your friendship
as such matter Of course that If
thought Of 1t at all Il was as something
that could not be changed. Therefore
your going Off to the city that way
was a blow that stunned me. / could
not get used to 1t. l did not once think
Of asking you to write to me. In fact,