The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-08-11

Once hway ron the crowd, they
found a comfortable little seat along
the waters edge, and the moonlight
fell clear upon them.
Gorgeous night, Isn't NJ" suggest.
| 4. eit-- etftH .s4tstss -4As.s s,s
ed Nita, She could not explain why
she had this uncommon constrained
feeling when with this man.
| "I,nlly," hc replied. May light d
cigarette Just 70 keep the bugs awayr
"You certainly may agreed Nita.
Il wonder II you would think me
frightfully rude" began Mr.. Hill
ircdth, ~ were TO ask you where
lyou run against the locket you have
on your neck. Miss Norcross. Its q
perfect beauty. have seen but one
other like Il, and that belonged to my
mother
Nita blushed and nervousiy twiried
the lockct which hung on nne chain
about her neck.
why, l bought It," she finally an.
swered.
"Yes, OF course. but where?"
The silence which followed was pain
ful. and Hildredth continued:
"You see. my mothers locket was
stolen along with a lot Of other jew.
lelry that my valet relieved me OF
about year ago. and I've spent hun.
drcds Of dollars and world OF time
trying TO locate the stun. What be
took OF mine | don't care rap about,
but my mothers keepsakcs- well. you
could understand that would be a dif.
fercnt thing. In my mothers locket
there is picture OF chlld-a picture
VI me. Whom do you carry In yours,
Miss NorcrossT
Elildrcdth waited several minutes for
his answer Slowly the girl took the
lockct from her throat and reached 1t
10 him.
"0pen IT," she almost whispered.
lie did 10 and revealed the picture
of curly headed child Of about six,
and while Hildrcdth looked long at
the picture the girl told the story OF
how she came by H.
"And Isn't II absurd" she was say
ing II thought You were n thief that
lay when ! saw you with the police.
man"
"And l." said Hildreth,' "though you
were society girl getting extra money
to play the races or 80 to fortune
Iellers or some cqunlly wicked dissipa.
ton" Then, changing his tone en-
tirely. he continued; II hate to ask the
return Of this, but mother valued II
above price. But as she IL now abroad
| want you to show you hold me no
III will by putting II back on your
throat and wearing 1t while you are n
Oak Ridge When we part
He. extended the trinket to her. and
hIs hand touched hers. without argu
ment she clasped the fine chain once
more about her neck. Nothing was
said by either. but Lawrence lighted
iAother cigarette and bit hard.
II think we had better join thq
srowd," said Nlta, "or they'll be insti-
tutlng a searching party for u.s."
The next days and for many days
after during Nlta's stay at Oak Ridge.
Lawrence Hlldrcdth found an excuse
10 run over In his motor or TO sail owe?
In his boat to the Clyde lodge The
last evening OF Nlta's visit had come.
aud she and Lawrence were once
more sitting by the waters edge.
Nearly month had passed, and nm.
other moon had come to shed its rays
ipon Oak Ridge.
Tomorrow l am going home" Mia
said, so viii give you back the
Iocket tonight, Your mother VIII be
home soon, too, | hear"
He took 1t from her with reluctant
hand.
"Nita," Lawrence's voice was ten
lerness itself There is just one wo-
man to whom my mother would give
that locket--my wife, VIII you take
me, Nitai Take my locket and my
love? Tell me. Nita, that you love
me"
Nita looked straight into his eyes.
"Larrle, dear, l do love you, and
always will"
He clasped the locket about her
throat again, pledging 1t to her for
life, and the kiss he received In pay
ment seemed priceless.