The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-25

bimnhrity OF &cupNtion ana tnclr NJ
most constant association which en-
deared petern to the major portion oI
the family. II might have been his big
handsome self, his wholesome good n0
ture, coupled with dogged patience
In waiting for Kate, that was subtlN
bringing the girl TO Il realization OF hl,
enduring devotion This change OF es
cort therefore, on the day OF all days
for an outing naturally aroused curt
osity.
Kate's days we're passed In bis
department store. Many persons stop
ped at her counter and made pur,
chases, Some were line people, and
from snatches OF their conversation she
CLEANED mental visions Of their luxuri
Gus mode OF living, Frequently she
looked out covetously on to their beau.
tiful plane OF life.
She often wondered how people get
rich.
But today she was for once to bc "a
real swell lady," as Susie Mullins had
expressed It.
Now, look a.here, yen two," inter.
rupted Kate's mother, coming TO the
girls assistance at the breakfast table.
"Kate's goin' 10 Coney wild Susie Mul,
Inns an two rale gintlemen as has axed
the gir-ruls. an thin as has nutlmo.
beels too. Shurc, II she wants TO be
a-goln' wild quality instid av the loIkes
av Mike Peters-an' I'm sayin' nothln'
again Mike. ayther, God bless him
why can't sheT"
The question at issue seemed con.
vincingly answered with strong In.
timation that no further discussion
was desired. The meal was finished
peacefully. but not without some In.
ward resentment on the part of Kates
father over the seemingly unwarranted
sidetracking Of Peters.
Later a gay little automobile party
sped swiftly through the city streets.
across the river, over vast stretches Of
lowlands and on to the fantastic wood.
en- city by the sea.
II was stlll gayer little party as II
INDUCED In the pleasures and reycls OF
the place. The light heartedncss Of
youth made the day one of Irresponsi.
bllitles and freedom. and the cloudless
sky and the life giving sea breezes
were In accord with the blIssful mood
and high spirits OF the merrymakers.
Not even passing thought was CIV
en- to the unconventional circum-
stances OF their meeting.
Paul Rlcard. chauffeur for an uptown
garage, made some purchases OF Kate
one day.
"She Is very pretty" said Rlcard 10
himself as he noticed her delicate fea-
lures. crowned by auburn hair.
When she looked up TO more clearly
catch the address he was giving for
the delivery Of his purchases he saw
that her eyes were Of deep blue, and
there was hidden laugh In them.
He smiled at her boldly with his great
.
brown eyes.
The little flush, scarcely perceptIble,
and the slight parting Of the lips tele-
graphed to Rlcard his victory.
He found other occasions upon which
to visit the store, never forgetting TO
pass Kare's way. An acquaintance fol.
lowed, into which Susie Mullins was
introduced. and the Fourth OF July trip
was planned.
| may invite my friend Mathot?" he
asked.
"surer chimed the girls unhesltat.
ingly.
Kate was swept to heights of ecstasy
by the Hattering attentions of Rlcard.
He was tall and handsome, 1.-the, dark
and had winning features,
Mike Peters became merely an occa.
slonal thought.
1t was evening at Coney Island The
little party had dlned on the balcony
of big hotel. The quletIng influence
of twilight had hushed their lrrespon-
sible chatter, and they sat dreamily
watching the shifting scene before
them.
The ocean sighed and broke softly
on the gray sandy beach.
In the distance the lighthouses fash
ed their warnings to ships plying their
lonely ways over the dark waters.
Away off at the horizon the big moon
peeped- -hesitatlngly, so 1t seemed, for
a continuous performer-then, reassur-
ed by the long silvery reflection upon
the waves, rose bravely to the occa-
sion.
Kate was as II charmed.
Ricasd sat complacently smoking. his
eyes feasting on the changing beauty
of the girls face.
Susie and Mathot strolled away.
Then the witch Of fire appeared.
Little lines of white light shone out,
moving indefinitely about like illumi
mated snakes They reached upward,
outward and encircling; they outlined
buildings; they crept high, leaving no
BILE towers; they wrought stirring en-
blems commemorative of the day; they
lighted the highways; they pointed to
the scintillating places for the nights
revels, and they traced great piers
stretching far into the sea.
Coney was depicted In exquisite Sill
hos,offo