The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-29

"Rut, Aunt Clara" vehementiy
''they gossip so at the hotel"
This isn't gossip, I've known y
for a long time, Margaret"
"oh"--the Sigh was almost sob.
"he has always seemed such a gentle
man"
"IIe has the training Of one" Mrs
Kent affirmed, Ills mother Is charm
ing"
After moments silence Margaret
broke ont, "But he saved my life,
Aunt Clara"
There was a rustic Of skirts as Mrs,
Kent moved impatlently in her chair,
''Yes, and that's the worst Of t."
Mrs. Kent ended the longer silence
that followed by ringing for lights.
mo, no." Margaret protested. II
like It better with Just the Are"
"But | must 90. dear, and dress for
dinner. and you will be so dreary
alone In the dark"
no otAN AuNS uhN sloNA w thN NNuNA
her careAsing fingers touched Marga-
ret's cheek and found tears on II.
You'd better have the lights" she
said, and there was worried note
In her voice ~ hate 10 leave you
here alone"
"Oh, shall be all right" Margaret
said, 'i'il lie here in the dark and
ret Toodleklns."
Stlll protesting. Mrs. Kent found
her way cut and after time in the
big rooG, there came the sound OF
stlticd sUb. aud another and another,
aud after that everything was very
quiet. 'rhe fame Of the fire died
down. The green eyes Of the little
cat, snuggled close to her mistress,
glowed Ia the blackness.
The click Of an electric button and
the fare mp Of lights brought Marga.
Fet's head out Of the cushion where
she had buried 1t. She shielded her
face with her hand.
You are early, Uncle Dick"
I'm late. What's the matter with
the lights? Why didn't you get some
body to look after themT"
II like the dark"
"Queer taste" He gave her a keen
glance and sat down In the chair by
the couch "How's the footT'
1T hurts little, but it's going to be
all right"
Everybody at the club In talking
about your accident. They are making
a regular hero Of RIdgeway." He set
tied himself back in the big chair and
Smiled at her genlally. He must have
rad the strength Of Hercules to hold
hose horses back"
Hes awfully strong" Margaret
laid and sat up. "His college record
N athletics IL fine"
"He fiunked In some Of his studies,
though" Mr. Kent teased.
Margaret's face famed, Il know"
She smoothed the little cat with nerY-
ous fingers. isis he very III, Uncle
DickT'
Who RldgewayI Um- well, that
depends. Hes a mighty nice fellow,
Peggy" He caught the eagerness Of
her eyes and pulled himself up THAT
is--oh, well, your Aunt Clara wouldn't
exactly approve Of him, and-and-I
don't know that he's Just the friend
for you, Margaret"
"Ohr came In fiuttering protest, and
after that Margaret lay with her eyes
closed, and nothing was said for sew.
eral minutes.
Tired, little girlT' asked her uncle
finally, and when she nodded he stood
up.
II must go and dress for dinner"
He hesitated by the couch, looking
down at her until she opened her eyes
and held out her hand and said, Dear
Uncle Dick" and then he patted her
cheek and said a little huskily. Cheer
up"
This time there was no friendly
darkness to hide the tears, so Marga-
ret dabbed at them with her handker-
chief and stared until ring Of the
front door bell brought her to an up
right position
"It's Mr.. Ridgeway," the maid an
nounced.
I'm afraid can't see hImg' Marga-
ret said nerVOusly.
please" doomed a big voice from
the hall-"plcase don't turn me out like
that"
"Oh, we'll" Margaret agreed, and the
maids place between the curtains was
by young man as big as his
voice, who came over and picked up
the pussy cat and dropped small
sqdare box III Its place. IF you'll let
me pet Toodlekins I'll let you have
some flowers" he said, and as he sat
down the little cat curled into the hol.
low Of his arm and sang her song Of
contentment, unrufied by the change.
There were white violets In the box,
and Ridgewhy said, his big voice sOf'
tened by sotne fine emotion, "They al.
ways make ne think Of you"
"0h, don't, don'tg Margaret said
with quick caught breath, and Ridge
way stared at her in a puzzled way.
"Don't you like themT he asked.
Eyes"
"Well. It's funny way to show IT,"
There was so much Of the boy IN him
that Margaret smiled In spite Of her
3elf
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