The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-02-21

sary for the pug to interfere again.
without his good offices the acquaint-
&nce progressed rapidly, Miss Nor
rcll's callers were very likely to find a
dark, well dressed man suing ON tine
hammock beside her or occupying one
Of the rustic chairs on the porch or
smoking in the library with the air OF
one who feels at home Most of them
took the hint. There was one excep"
ton. however, an obtrusive young fel'
low, Randall by name, who continued
his visits, though Ferguson did his
best to make 1t clear that they could
be quite content without him.
Unfortunately Miss Morrell did not
second these efforts as she might have
done. She continued to treat her per
sistent caller with consideration
which Ferguson thought distinctly un-
necessary. When he came one night
prepared to take her driving and found
she had gone boating with Randall he
gave a harsher name to the act, IL,
did not sleep that night, and when b
presented himself next evening he VA
In the worst Of humors.
Had Miss Morrell been conciliato"
all might have been we'll, but inste"
sAe wore an air of studied indiffereiir,
and when she did not resent his 7,
proaches she laughed at him. Accor3
ingly In fifteen minutes the interview
terminated abruptly.
'In that case" said Ferguson, rissG.
to his feet, the best thing for me to
do Ia to take my hat and 80 home"
And Miss Morrell replied, Il quite
agree with you"
Only one thing interfered with carry
ing ont this programme Immediately
Ferguson could not find his hat. Good
evening" said Miss Morrell In the back
ground as II weary Of waiting for him
to take the initiative.
II beg you not to imagine that | am
delaying intentionallyw exclaimed Fer
guson, with indignation. "But even
you can see that It Is impossible for
me to leave the house bareheaded."
"You put your hat on the chair.
saw you," said Miss Morrell.
81 am quite aware that | put II
there" returned Ferguson stiffiy, "but
1t is easy to see that 1t is not there
now"
For some minutes he hunted. Miss
Morrell laid aside her offended dignity
sufficiently TO assist In the search. All
at once she started nervously.
81 do hope Punch didn't find itr' she
exclaimed. He's so mischievous some
times"
But when the hat was discovered 1t
was In Punch's society. Moreover, 1t
had lost its resemblance to hat The
brim was missing. and the crown was
fast disappearing. Punch surveyed
them over the wreck and grinned com
placently.
The two young people looked at each
other, and Miss Morrells lips twitched.
Ferguson thought she was on the point
of laughter, and he smiled encourag-
ingly. Then she surprised him by
turning her face to the wall and burst
ing into tears.
MY darling girl" exclaimed Fergu-
son. almost beside himself. "My dear
est Ina, beg you won't give thought
to the worthless thing"
But you were going away angry"
said a stif1ed voice.
Angry with you?" cried Ferguson.
Never" He took her In his arms
again as he had done under the peach
tree, but he did not let her go as quick
ly. And that wise old pug left the
ruined hat on the rug and waddled
away to the window seat, as II salts
fed that they were once more capable
of managing their own affairs.
Punch is older now and divides his
mistress devotion with a small pink
and white rival said to resemble Fer.
guson, but he wears a silver collar
and no one grudges him his place as an
honored member Of the household
Whatever Ferguson's faults, he Is moi