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


tent 10 sit out on the porch and lust
think how lucky I was 10 run Into Tom
yesterday afternoon
"I'il tnke my sewing out and We can
chat as work. suggested Mrs ORA.
kin, and presently they were cstab.
llshcd on the brond piazzn. TO bis
surprise Ben found himself chatting
with his hostess az freely as though
she were 4 man and not one OF the
dread women.
Tom came out as he had promised.
and Ben frowncd an In caught sight Of
his friend perched on the seat OF an
express wagon In which was his trunk.
"Now you've got TO stay announced
Tom. "We shall hold your trunk like
they do In the hotels II you try to
escape u.s.
u think that you would bc wise to
ship me and the trunk back 10 town."
said Ben seriously. but Drakin booted
down the suggestion. and when Mrs
Drakin ndded her entreaties to Toms
be gave In. and the trunk was taken
up TO his room.
That night when Ben put out the
light he did not Jump into bed. but long
after the rest OF the house was quiet
he sat by tho open window. looking
across the moonIit fields and wonder
Ing what hc should do.
or one thing he was certain. He
was In love. and In love with his
friends wife at that What was more.
Il had seemed TO him that as she had
hidden him good night and had told him
she was glad that he had decided
to stay there was something more
than mere friendship In the glance OF
the tender blne eyes.
. Her hnnd had fingered for n moment
In his, and she had paused by the door
Of her room TO look after him. The
memory OF her smile was with him
still. and when he at last flung him.
self upon the bed to fall into troubled
slumbcr the problem was still un.
solved.
But with the morning came calmer
sense. AZ he came into the breakfast
room there was no mistaking the soft
flush that came to Mrs DrakIn's cheek
nor the look that flashed into her eyes
as she gave him the morning greeting
Sick at heart, Ben followed his host
out on TO the piazza. while Mrs. Drakin
remained behind to see TO the dlsposi.
ton OF the breakfast things and give
her orders for dinner.
Look here. old man, I've got to be
getting back to town. he began.
mot on your life." was the emphatic
response. "Do you suppose that took
oil that trouble to lug your trunk out
yesterday to have you lug II In todayi
You are going TO stay right here for
tho next two weeks. BY your own con.
fession you have nothing else to do.
and ! don't promise to lot You 60"
But mustr cried Ben mlserably.
II must old mani lin In love!
can't help H. but rye fallen In love
with your wife. must get away be-
fore greater harm Is done"
lola seems pretty fond Of you. II
was only this morning that she was
saying that she hoped TO be able to
induce you TO stay here while you
write your new book. think II would
be great scheme. You can put In the
day working on the book and then sit
out on the piazza In the evening and
gather inspiration for the next days
work"
Ben regarded his friend with horror.
II must be that he had gone mad, for
now his face was contorted with laugh.
ter, and he rocked In his chair. Ben
had heard OF great shocks turning
mems minds, but he had not believed
that Tom would take bis declaration so
much TO heart
His amazement seemed to increase
Toms merrlment and Ben half rose
to his feet to so Into the house Tom
sprang up and forced him back into
his chair.
ut seems funny sort Of thing to
laugh at" he said chokingly, but. you
see, Lola Is not my wife. knew that
II told You the truth and admitted
that there was an unmarried woman
In the house you never could be in
duced to come out. | posted Lola from
the station when you were worrying
for fear 1t was inconvenlent. My wife +!
ls visiting her younger sister, who is
very Ill. That Is my sister, Lola, who
Is keeping house for me until Nell gets
back So sail In, old man, and may
luck be with you. Where are you go
ingf" he added as Ben shook him of /
and made for the door,
'1'm going to sail In" explained Ben
4. a-I. So a.