The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-16

had to dance when l was tired an
listen to poor music and 20 into ecsts
sizes over execrable singing when
was sleepy and my head ached. ha,
to ride In automobiles and so yachting
A yacht always makes me sick. on,
you know what think Of autcmo
bileS."
Mr.. Langdon did not seem properl.
impressed, so Dora continued in al
aggrieved voice;
Il spent hours racing around witt
golf sticks when I'd much rather ST
down quietly with an agreeable book
It's very we'll to do what you dislik,
II you're accomplishing anything, bu
all this activity was accomplishing
nothing except spelling my temper
and making me thin. But you haven't
said yet that you were glad to see me
! Robert"
! Langdon's look OF alteration seemed
to be nothing more than she expected,
"Yes, Dora, am glad" he said sim.
ply. Il thought you had forgotten
me. l didn't blame you," he continued
hastily as she made dissenting ges-
ture. Il was glad to think that at last
you were enjoying what your beauty
and your nature entitled you to and
that your brave conduct In adversity
was being properly rewarded. But
why did you come back here, Dora ?
Why did you come back to this dreary
manufacturing town when you had the
whole world to choose fromT
Dora looked lntently at him while he
was speaking. She noted the streaks
Of gray in his well kept hair, the sad
droop of the patient mouth, the many
lines around his tired eyes.
For more reasons than ore. l knew
you needed looking after, Robert. |
knew you were lonely and working
hard In order to forget. l knew you
were tired and that your eyes were
used up. knew you felt the heat
more than ever and wouldn't take any
refreshing trolley rides out into the
breezy country or go on any cozy little
picnics without your old friend. Now
I'm going to inveigle you out every
afternoon, and Wen read our favorite
authors in the evenings, just as We
used to before became an heiress."
Langdon drew a deep breath and
looked longingly at the girl, who ap-
peared to be unconscious Of having
said anything unusual.
Il was tired" he said His eyes and
voice were perilously near tears, the
porch was deserted, and he laid his
hand gently on hers But in the fu-
ture the knowledge that you thought
of me and came back to cheer me up
will keep me from fatigue and every
other Ill. But you must return to your
relatives. If you don't like Newport,
there are other places. Travel, Dora,
and get the good of the money that
came to you late, but. thank God. not |
.oo later
Dora regarded him with an amused
enderness.
You don't know me half as well as
know you, Robert have no inten-
ion of going back to the relatives who
gnored my very existence until Un-
lie Timothy left me a fortune. And | 1,
ont want to spend my money In
ravel at present came to the place
like, and here Pm going to stay"
Langdon leaned suddenly toward
)ora. His pale face flushed, and his
ands trembled, but he pulled himself
p again resolutely.
I'm right, though, Dora. In spite of
our heavenly kindness it can't be the
anne as 1t was when we were both |
oor. My dear girl, don't you see that q
is different% T
Dora smiled tenderly at him.
Certainly | see that it's different,
ecause now | have the means to pro
ide luxuriOusly for the old mother
nd delicate sister and to keep up a a
)use for us both"
Langdon was shaking visibly. n
Dora, 1t will not do. Your husband =
ust be. more brilliant man than this
d friend, though he can never be .
ore faithful He must be Of your own
;e and your own financial standing. 4
Ou make it hard dear one, but you
ust go back tomorrow" n
Il shall never go back" she said n
"And | shall never have n :.
lsband, Robert, unless it is this un. :,
fish old friend" u
Langdon raised his hand to his tired "
es to hide a rush of happy tears. p
DO you mean he stammered. "
Yes" answered Dora gayly; ~ al
can this as proposal. It's leap year :,
u know"