The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-31

SUaHSe reunion luTneu. roI
A n second or more they faced
the crimson faced, dumfounded Perry
without word. Here was an element
In the affair on which neither phean
nor Cynthia had counted when giving
Thompson their promise not to reveal
his identity. They gradually realized
this, and 1t left even the ready witted
! Phelan speechless
Perry himself was first to break the
spell.
"Well,' he observed, with an assump-
ton OF airy scorn that was meant TO
! be annihilating. you all seem quite
happy. Don't mind me- I'm sorry TO
butt in on this cute little love fest, but
| left fiancee here. Perhaps one OF
you can explain what's happened to
her since r.
"Oh, Perry" exclaimed Cynthia,
don't be silly! I'll tell you all about
it some time. 1t Isl
"Some time" squealed Perry, rage
battering down his attempt at sarcasm.
Some time! Maybe 1t might be just
as well If you did condescend to ex-
plain. Here you promise to marry me,
and ten minutes later | find you In a
catch-as-catch-can hug with this ugly
little shrimp and Phelan looking on as
happy as If he'd eaten canary! And
then you've got the gall to tell me
you'll explain some timer"
He glared at Cynthia in all the maj.
esty of outraged devotion. only to sur
prise on that young lady's face look
that indicated violent struggle with
the desire TO laugh.
This is funny all right. guess not!'
he snapped Cynthia, you've mauled
and smashed loving heart, and I'll
make a hit with myself by forgiying
you, but as for you" wheeling about
and thrusting his furious face to with
in three inches Of Thompson's immo-
bile countenance-"a for you, Pm 60
ing to do all sorts of things to you the
moment Miss Garrison will have the
kindness to shassay out Of the room.
Your sorrowful relatives will have all
manner Of fun sorting you out when
I've finished with you Steal my
sweetheart. would you, not ten min
utes after I'd
"There" interposed Phelan, showing
his powerful hulk good naturedly be-
tween the two younger men and link
ing his arm in Pcrry's. Now you've
got quite a bunch Of hot words off
your chest an you'll be in better shape
to hear sense. Amt you just little
bit ashamed"
"Ashamedf" sputtered Perry. "Who?
L? Well, that
Eyes, you. yOungster and If you hol-
Ter like that in comp'ny I'll sure be
forced to wind up by spankin' you.
Now, stand off there-no, over there
where you can see Miss Garrison-an'
listen to me. So! Now, first of all,
did you happen to be In love with this
young ladyY
"It's none of your measly business,
but did"
Why'd you ask her to hitch up with
you for keeps?"
Because / loved her and"--
Because you had lot of faith In
her, too, hey" persisted the alderman.
"Yes, and nice way she's"-
pretty girl, too," mused Phelan as
if to himself. "In my young days If |
could "a got little beauty like that
to sign articles with me I'd "a thought
l was the original Lucky Jim. Pd'-
80 did Iw interrupted Perry hotly.
I'-
But Phelan was continuing in the
same abstract monologue:
"An' If / could "a seen from her
eyes Qike any dough head could see
from Miss Garrisons) that she had II
heart as big as a watermelon an as
true as a Bible text an as warm as Il
happy mans hearth fire-well, II I'd
seen all that an got wise to the gor-
geous news that that same heart was
just chock-a-block full of love for my
own ornery, cheap skate self I'd "a
Topped down on both knees an sent
up bunch of prayers to be allowed to
go on dreamin' an never, never wake
up"