The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-09

the cblldren ran Hbrieking 70 tne
lake The mothers carried the dinner
and placed II In the shade Of the will.
lows, But a cry OF black ants was rails.
ed, and, M the women we're already
exhausted from wadiDg In the deep
sand, Mrs. Pashley ordered Ike 10
transfer the dinher TO q place OF safe.
~, as II be were the state militia.
Take the dinner out by the lake
not too near the water directed Mrs
Pashley, who was going about with 4
panied, eonsccrated face m II they had
Just been shipwreckcd on desert H.
land.
For Ike the forenoon passed gloomily
away, but he put IN q good days work
waiting on the women.
As dinner time approached they be-
gun to expect the other picnickers te
look them up. but no one came, so Mrs
pashley sent Ike to Coggin's gap TO ask
tho minister and hIs crowd 70 come 70
Feathers gap 10 eat. as that would
save carrying the dinner q mile.
Ike struck out through the woods
that skirtcd the bluffs above the sand
dunes. When be had gone about half
the distance no met Phyllis Jones.
"Hellow hc shouted.
"Where you been 7" cried Phyllis.
Feathers gap"
Though Phyllis had a good disposl-
tion and great capacity for work, mn
ture had not seen ~ to bless her with
much chin. but she had an honest free
klcd face. and Ike considered her per
fection.
I'VE supposed you folks had gone to
the wrong gap." explained Phyllis. 80
the minister told me 10 10 over and tell
Mis- pashlcy that, as she had the din.
ner, we'd all come over 10 Feathers
gap TO eat-or II she'd rutber come
Mis- Pashley d ruther eat where
she Ii. 80 that's settled answered Ike
easily. Then he proceeded to forget
the other plcnickers entirely.
"Lookie." he cried. producing dingy
candy heart bearing In bold red letters
the suggestive motto. BE My Honey"
II mean worsen that" hinted Ike
darkly. slipping the heart into her
hand. Immediately presenting her with
another saccharine sentiment. Yours
For Eternity"
After reading this solemn promise
Phyllis fished out candy heart from
her own pocket. which as thrifty and
farsIghted young woman she may have
secreted for this very emergency, and
gave It TO Ike, who read with great sat
isfactlon. Il Am Yours"
"Whenr he asked briefly.
mot till after butcherin' time nm
swered Phyllis promptly and firmly.
saw. thunder-stop" cried Ike. great
ly dlspleased. Talk sense"
"You don't want me very bad II you
can't wait TIL I'm ready. Pete Jen.
ner a walt ell doomsday."
T1l--Pll wait TIL next grass-if you
say So" vowed the distressed dairy.
man recklessly.
"No, Ike. Bntcherin' times long
enough. I'll be ready by them
''LookIe," cried Ike, heres path
that leads to the lake. Let's go down."
Following this path. they found a
little cove sheltered from the world by
high clay ridges that shut them com
pletely from view Of either gap. Here
they sat hand In hand watching the
waves and, growing hungry, lunched
on a whole bag OF amorous worded
sweets that Ike produced from bulg-
Ing pocket.
Maybe we ought to look the others
up" suggested Phyllis after long sea.
son Of bllssful munching.
Jaw thunder-no" objected Ike.
"There might be something to do
somewheres," she added vaguely.
II done II ALL" Ike assured her.
In the meantime the minister's wife
and her satellites waited impatlently
for Ike and the other plcnickers.
Lets feed these children and eat
ourselves" suggested Mrs. Jenner.
mo" said Mrs, Pashley emphatlcal.
". "The others might not like It."
"Mis' Peters would have ct IL we
ct without her." declared Mrs. Blish.
lets all go over to Coggln's gap and
then send Ike and Brother Pashley
back here for the dinner"
"No. II we 60, Wen take the dinner
with u.s." said Mrs. Pashley. "Albert's
chest Isn't strong"
TITS long walk to tug all these
victuals," sighed Mrs. Blish.
But | guess It's the only thing to
do" replied Mrs, Pashley. Mrs. Jen.
ner, you get the children together and
we'll 60"
They went through the woods, as Ike
had gone, for that was the shortest
way.
At last they filed thankfully down
the crooked path into Coggin's gap.
But the Rev. Mr.. Pashley and his hal,
of the crowd were not there.
where's Ike?" burst out Mrs. Bllsh
as she sat cumbrously down on the
sand to rest In the shade OF an ant
covered willow.
N