The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-08-04
called himself 1onas III c,anlngford.

called himself Jon1s Ill Canlngford.
Jones" might be Curtis Mortimer or
hc might not. No much ais he had
seen on the envelope was far more
suggestive Of Mortimer than Jones.
Certainty there seemed 10 be an NJ.
But Clavcring was quite willing 10
leave all this aside. He was willing 10
admit that Muricl might DO perfectly
within her rights In sending o photo
graph Of herself 10 Curtis Mortimer.
rascal though hc was. Iic said 10 him.
self that he must refuse to entertain
q doubt Of Muriels ability to explain
her conduct In q manner which would
bo satisfactory TO the most censorlons
critic. the most Jealous worshlper.
But this he knew--t..::at II he should
again become involved In any maze Of
falsehood which should destroy his
faith IN some one whom he loved and
trusted he must 90 mad and die.
There was no strength In him for such
an ordeal.
"Muriel might better shoot me than
lilo to me- he repeated frantically
aloud In the empty streets.
AT dawn he stood upon height that
overlooked the town. The eastern sky
blazed with color, and he had no pleas.
urc In II, he to whom the face OF ma.
ture had once been perpetual Joy.
He laughed bitterly.
Even the sunrise Is wrong" he said.
TITS not what Il used 10 be. The
world and Its blue ceiling are ashes,
and | have just found II out. Let me
think this over. There In something In
It."
In the middle Of the afternoon he
called upon Muriel. The gentleman
with whom be had played billiards on
the previous evening was Just leaving.
A moment later they were alone.
"Mnriel," said he. has my conduct
yexcd youf'
NO" said sue.
"Bnt | know that It has," he pro-
tested gently = have seen II very
clearly
"You ARE mistaken"
u have worried you about CARING
ford and your life there. Surely !
have"
NO said she, mot In the least"
"You would not care TO have me be-
have otherwIsef My constant irritable
suspicion aud fretful questioning are
nothing TO youf"
"My dear. my dearf' she cried. with
sudden tenderness that brought the
tears Of her eyes. DO you fancy that
| cannot see beneath this veil OF con.
duct? Am some wretched lawmaker
that do not know the difference be-
twen man and his acts? | love you.
| am too intent upon what you are to
waste my time in worry over what
you do.
You have passed through bitter
trial and have saved your goods and
your repute before the world, but have
you saved your character? Richard,
your friend has robbed you indeed.
He has stolen your faith. You must
restore the balance OF your soul"
at is true" said he. Il learn II for
the second time today. learned II
tirst from the sunrise. ] tested my
sight upon II, The face OF nature
looked as false and hostile to me as
any human countenance. Then the
fault must be In me-
"All this may be repaired" said she.
You stand where every one OF us is
llwa standing. with the depths of
he III below you and the heights of
heaven above. You have the power to
Use or fall and as far as you choose"
Il know IT," he replied, ''and will
surely rise, at least to where | stood
before. My soul shall drag my body
lfter 1t. and these nerves Of mine shall
10 as steady as rock They know 1t;
hey feel 1t already. You yourself can
lee It."
"very clearly" said she, land am
'ery happy. | think you may hear
lbout Mr.. Mortimer of Carlingford
low. though | had resolved not tc
peak of him to you. I have told yor