The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-09-09

the fact that there would be no other
woman there was his reason for going
ut all. Probably Mrs. DraklD would
Insist that he come again and would
promise him an Introduction to some
friend Of hers who would bc Just the
ono he should marry.
Hubbard was used TO that
Bessie Grandln's enthusiastic efforts
TO marry him to u cousin OF hers had
sent him scurrying on to South Amer
lea. He had announced that he would
write book on the flora OF the Argen.
tine Republic, but his real reason for
flight was the fear that Mrs. Grandln
would make good her threat 10 marry
him to Helen Wilson In spite Of hIm
self
For years Hubbard had lived In fear
OF marriage. He was not exactly a
woman hater, but an excess OF tlmldlty
left him stammerlng and afraid In fem
inlne presence, and he had come to
have mortal dread OF matrlmony--so
great dread that more than once he
had led from some enthusiastic match
maker lest he be led. protesting. but
helpless. 10 the altar,
But he was Just back from the South
American trip and hungry for the com
panlonshlp OF his fellows. In that
frame OF mind he had run across Ora.
kin. who had once been the geologist
OF an expedition OF which he himself
had been hotanIst.
They had had lunch together, and
Drakin had urged him to spend the
night with him that their talk might
be continued.
Drakin lived In small suburban
town. and Hubbard regarded approx.
ingly the neat little cottage they ap-
preached. even though a woman In
something neecy and white stood on
! the porch to welcome them. Drakin
had gone into the telephone booth at
the station to announce their coming
and had emerged from the booth very
red and confused
Hubbard hoped that his coming had
not been the cause of the confusion.
He knew that there were times when
things In the kitchen went wrong and
when visitors were not welcome. He
Ind suggested as much to Tom, but the
Offer to return to town had been hooted
at and Tom had laughed lmmoderately
to cover his confusion at the discovery
OF his embarrassment
But there was no embarrassment IN
Mrs. Drakln's face as she made him
welcome. There was only interest and
cordial friendship, aud Ben was sur.
prlsed to find himself rather envying
bis ehum.
or course Tom had been exceptions
ally fortunate In finding such wom.,
an, but as Ben tumbled Into bed some
hours later he told himself that were
there two such women he should like
to marry the other.
They had sat talking until late in the
evening, and when Ben finally woke
he discovered note on his dresser, In
which Tom explained that 1t was nee
essary for him to go to the city on
business, but that he would return In
the afternoon and bring with him the
trunk Ben had sent to the hotel.
Ben wavered-and was lost He
slowly dressed and went downstairs
to find Mrs. Drakin sitting in the din,
Ing room waiting for her guest to come
downstairs.
"Tom left his apologies" she explain
ed as she poured him his coffee. "He
had to rise at such an unearthly hour
to make the train that we decided to
let you sleep. He will be outeon the
!, 4:l0, and in the meantime am sol.
emny bound to hold you here at all
hazards. Tom would never forgive me
II you should bc gone before he came
back"
you couldn't drive me away" de.
clared Ben gayly I'll be well con-
I