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

mon talk, and he could not press the
investigation, Instead he sought ab
sorptlon In work, but the practice of i
country lawyer seldom proves absorb
ling. and Hardy grew thin and white
while he waited and hoped for a clear
ing up OF the trouble,
He was sitting idly at his desk one
afternoon when I, G, poked her head
into the doorway and. finding that he
WAS alone, entered boldly.
what is II, Peterkin2" he asked,
printing kiss ON the chlld's troubled
face. Have you been telling the min.
lister what your father said when he
was asked to contribute to the chancel
fund. or did you explain to the guests
at the party that the salad was made
with canned lobsterf"
Worse AN that" was the doleful
declaration as T. G, snuggled against
the broad shoulder. ''The school com,
lmittee visited this afternoon. Mr..
Sprague asked us what love was, and
I told him II was the way the principal
acted with Miss Saunders. They all
laughed, but Miss Squires got red In
/ the face, and was expelled. Itis the
truth" she added defiantly. "He kisses
her when he thinks no one can see him,
and she calls him 'Georgie.' wouldn't
call any man with whlskers 'Georgie,'
like little boy"
"Wait until you grow up" admonish-
ed Hardy, But, see here. Peterkin,
know Mr. Torrance very well. Per-
haps can beg you or II you promise
to keep out of his love affairs In n.
ture."
"You just bet l willv declared T. G.
with unction. Lovers are funny peo-
Pile. There's Nell just crying her eyes
out because you carry some other
girls picture in your watch"
What do you know about that pic
tureI' asked Hardy tensely. did you
tell Nell about that?"
Il saw it one day when you left
your watch on the desk" explained T. !
c. Il didn't tell Nell | just said it !
was funny that you had another girls
picture in your watch when Nell's new
pictures are so much prettier."
Hardy sprang up from his desk and
set I. G. upon her feet.
Look here, Peterkin," he proposed. |
''You take this dime and find a place
where you can get ice cream soda.
Don't be in too much Of hurry to
drink it. Better get two. Meantime
I'll slip over to the house and sort of
prepare them for the news that you
ire expelled"
I. G. gurgled delighted assent. and
they emerged from the office
and T. G. went skipping
ilong to the candy store, while Jack
made for the Westervelt home.
Nell was sitting on the shade piazza
IS he came up the path. AS she saw
lin she rose to her feet, but 1t was
90 late for graceful retreat. He
'prang up the steps and caught her
land
Don't go in," be pleaded. Lets sit
'ut here. 1t is more pleasant"
Shall / call fatherY' she asked
He is in the library"
II hope to see him before / CO." de- ,
Jared Hardy meaningly. But first
7ant to speak to you"
Nell flushed at the suggestion, but
be resumed her place in the rocker, t
nd Jack drew a chair to her side.
when asked you to marry me you
aid something about another girl" he
egan, plunging directly into the sub
ct "At the time l suspected that 4
c. might be able to explain the al
Ision, but l did not dare question her il
10 closely lest | give forth more In u
than | obtained. She let it :,
1t today. Was it because of that 9TH
girl In my watch that you refused
e, Nell" a
mo woman cares to be counted sec b
I'd best" was the defensive reply. W
Have you changed the photograph n
,ain?'
II have not changed" he said slowly, :
tut want you to see it." r
He held the watch toward her with u
e back case open. She saw the like ii
'ss Of gentle faced woman who Of
mellow suggested an earlier period In n,
lite of the modern photography. ST. ",
ltly she passed it back to Hardy and
aited for an explanation. '''
This is my fathers watch" he be- sc
n. ''The picture is that of my moth tx
When she died we had only an old D
hitting of her. Father had 1t copied, th
d they made a splendid job of it. p,
at IS why l have another woman's
:ture in my case. When you spoke ~
the other woman could not know III
1T Sally had been investigating my III
Itch. She found, it on my desk one nc