The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-02-11

. servant prUplem, ana NE nau Worriel
greatly. This buslnessllke girl otfereC
even to take that trouble Off his hands
He was rapidly coming TO regard Mar
lon Wadleigh as a tailor made angel,
He dropped In the next morning OF
his way to the office and found pa
per hanging crew already Installed
removing the paper that had proved SC
disappointing. Marion was there In d
gingham apron even more becoming
than the cloth costume Of the night be
fore. and Dicks heart beat faster In
answer to her greeting.
There was something honey" in
her appearance that appealed strongly
to the man who for years had enjoyed
but an occasional glimpse Of home in
vacation time. The soft dark hair was
hidden by q cap and the piquant face
was flushed with exertion. but the
heightened color only added to her
beauty. and the cap did not shadow
the tender light in the brown eyes.
Dick went to his office with his head
In whirl. Ever since he had come
to the city he had sunk himself In
work Fortune had come his way rap
Idly. and up TO the present he had
found work all sufficient. Now he be-
gan to realize that the years had been
lonely.
Marion was not at the house when
| he dropped In the following morning.
nor did he see her again until Friday
I afternoon, when he went to make his
final inspection of her work.
Dick gasped as he entered the apart
ment. In place Of the gaudy paper
the walls were now covered with quiet
tones and the lowered carpets had
been exchanged for rugs whose soft
tints harmonized with the new paper.
Instead of the solid officelike furniture
were lighter and. more tasteful pieces.
and the whole apartment suggested
feminine presence.
Best of all, Marion Wadleigh was
there. The print dress had been ex-
changed for an afternoon costume,
and Immediately Dick decided that aft
er all print dress was not the most
becoming costume which Marion could
wear, though that had been his impress
sion since he had seen her last.
Quietly she moved about the place,
giving an account Of her expenditures.
and Dick followed. hearing only the
rich voice, full tones, without caring
what she said. At last the tour OF
the rooms was ended, and she return.
ed to the parlor.
IF you like" she said, II can buy
the material for dinner tomorrow and
be here to welcome Mrs. Staley when
she arrives Mrs. Blaine wanted to
come over, but she had to leave town
last night with her husband"
Il should be delighted IL you could
arrange to be here tomorrow" said
Staley. 81 am sure that my mother
will wish to add her thanks to mine
for the beautiful home you have pro
vided. You will stay to dinner?"
'I only suggested being here to wei
come her." said Marion, her face flush
ed. "You see-in business-it is best
to maintain strictly business relations.
You don't have to thank me for what
have done. Ny charges cover all
services, you know"
"But money could not pay for pull
ing me out of hole and settling me"
insisted Dick. Besides, | don't want
to maintain a purely business relation
ship unless you insist, Miss Wadleigh." :"
II don't insist" the girl answered
softly. II have been much interested
in your devotion to your mother, and l
am sure that | shall be glad to know
,, her better. She must be dear old
lady to deserve such affection"
II want you to know her very well, y
explained Dick. "You see you have
only partly settled mother. You have
provided her with home, but want
a home Of my own, and | want you to
furnish 1t complete"
Complete" she asked, not quite
catching his meaning.
Even to a wife," explained Dick. i
don't ask an answer now, but will you
consider the propositionP
GAS a business woman | have always
considered propositions, she said,
with laugh, but the look in her eyes
belied the briskness Of her words, and
Dick realized that when they should
know each other better there was a
prospect of being settled ''in full" as
he termed it some months later when