The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-07-11

u sold II 10 the Consolidated Tin
Can company for $1,000. | made them
raise their bid $500. Isn't that glorl
| OusT
A cry escaped her lips. aud her eyes
filled with anguish. Montrous stared
at this exhibition Of emotion. unable 70
explain II.
And the royaltlesf" she gasped.
There will be no royalties"
But You said there would be for.
tuno IN royalties and that you would
never sell II outright"
Tho light in his eyes made her shIver.
But Toss. little girl. don't you see, |
might have 10 wait years for that, and
we needed the rest, the change you
and ], And $1,000 IL a good sum. II
VIII give M vacation
She placed her hands 10 her face and
was sobbing softly. Montrous ap.
preached and tried to speak steadily
but his voice wayered.
Tess. dear. don't you see that I love
you and that we cnn-can go away for
timer When we are married we"--
She stepped back. still holding her
hands before her eyes The movement
brought Montrous to sudden stIff at.
tItude. The blood left his face. His
voice was very faint.
Tess, you do not love mc1 You can.
not care for me-In this wayr
She made no reply. but continued her
sobbing.
"oh. I'm 80 sorry" she murmured
brokenly. "You must lot me think
leave me aloner'
Tess did not appear at the restaurant
the next day nor the next On the
third Montrous could stand 1t no
longer. He interviewed the proprietor
and learned. to his chagrin. that the
new waitress had left
Tess was out when he called at her
boarding house, but he was relieved to
ind that she had not changed her lodg.
lrgs and thus escaped him entirely. He
was full OF good news md anxiously
waited her return. She came In late.
less tagged than when he met her last.
but still with circles under her eyes.
Tess, I've good tidlngs." he said i'm. |
pulsively, taking her hand. "some
fairy godmother Of mine has interced. |
cd for me. The great Tin Can heart |
has softened. I can hardly believe the
news to be true. But have II in black
and white, and I'm forced to accept It."
She flushed prettily. and the return
Of the old happiness In her eyes trans.
formed her features.
"You don't ask me what Il Is I have
TO tell your" le added In dlsappoInt-
ment "Have you lost all interest In
the patent7 II so, then my good for.
tune win not interest you"
mo. mol Tell mer'
I've made n new contract with the
Consolidated Tin Can company" he
announced abruptly. Instead OF pay.
ing me $1,000 for the patent they will
use II In all their factories and pay me /
royalties. And the most wonderful
thing about II Is that the proposition
'ame from them. Can you believe itg'
mo" she answered falntly,
DO you know what that means TO
neT he added, "Why, II viii make
ne rich-rIch enough TO go on with my
work and to take vacation when
wish. It's sure income Of many
thousands, and
Then he stopped. The remembrance
Il their last interview flashed over
lin. The Joy Of the present suddenly
ost Its power. He was conscious of
oss which success could not requlte.
The sadness In the corners of his eyes
ave him an old, wrinkled appearance,
lie glanced once at her. and then his
esolution made him turn away. His
ands strayed idly among the papers
nd magazines on the table. She had
sought bundle of them In with her.
nd they lay close to his finger tips,
While his eyes roamed from one print
d word to another the slow abstrac-
lon changed to sudden new interest.
Ie picked paper from the table and
tudied 1t closely. The paper was neat
typed, and the words had a familiar
'ok Increasing surprise and wonder
rev In his face, transhxlng him so
nat he was scarcely conscious of her
resence.
With uncomprehendlng eyes she :
'atched the slow change dawung In
Is face. The awkward silence at.
acted her attention, and her eyes fell :
pom the paper In his hands. There
as a cry of dlsmay from her, and
18th sudden alarm she glided toward J
I'm and snatched the fatal document
nth cheeks flushed and eyes lustrous 9
ith fear she glanced up, hoping fear
lily that her secret was still safe =
ut In that instant she read the mean. 6
g Of his dull, batlled gaze
Tess" he said slowly, what does
lis mean?"
He brushed his brow with trenl. y
Ing hand. ~