The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-01-21
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iSs WinningO of
EdnnOnia.
By JANET CHRISTINE STEPHENS. ,
Copyrighted. 1875, by Associated
Literary prvas,

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rant about ParcNale Ronney, In the
thoughts Of Edmonla Turner, thoughts
which Invariably formed the frownlng
background 70 percivale's waking
hours he was discouragingly and mod.
ernly inoitensive.
She had once stated succlnctly, as
was Edmonla's way, that the only
thing about him that remotely suggest.
"a standing up for itself was the COW.
HEX at the back Of a square aud other.
wise irTeproachahly groomed head,
The subject of this rather doubtful ap-
proyal was secretly encouraged In the
belief that the cowlick Indicated an
aggressive spirit which seemed to be
the heroic attribute In the Imagination
OF Edmonla's set.
Edmonla's family appreciatlve re-
mark bad been inspired IN her moth
er's attic during the rummaging Of a
rain bound house party. when. upon
the discovery of an ancient coat Of
mail. Perclvale had pulled II out from
under the caves and had fallen speed
lily TO calculating how many chain
dishcloths II would have made for Mrs.
Turner's carefully ordered kitchen.
This was too much for Edmonia. A
man who could evolve dlshcloths from
the fabric Of romance must be lacking
IN the most rudimentary Instincts Of
chivalry 1t counted for naught with
her that Percivale Bonney was evinc-
ing business ability that made his
father prouder every day or that she
had never bad a rival in bis loyal do
votlon % her.
She dreamed on the clash OF armoF
ana The risks of joust and tourney.
kaiSht ,;ho should perform feats Of
arms foc her sake and rescue her, II
need he, from tyrant's might. In tho
free wholesomeness OF American So
ciety the tyrant had not appeared,
and to do Edmonia justice she really
did care great deal for perclvale's
allegiance. only she desired a more
daring proof.
II was therefore incumbent upon this
thoroughly consistent young lady that
she steel her heart against the pleas
ing picture which a tall. broad shoul.
dered, gray clad figure. hat or and
light hair tossing In the breeze. made
against morning sky on the flrst day
OF one Of bis erratic autumnai visits
near her country home.
She accordingly let her disdainful
glance dwell upon his extensively rud-
dy cheel, and ignored his unaffected
stare Of astonishment at her modern
eQuipage, brilliantly red automobile
at standstill upon the country road.
What, ho. RebeccaF' be greeted her
when within speaking distance OF
where she sat in the crimson ram
bier. "Armed capable I see! Il the
drawbridge DOWN."
Edmonia smiled tolerantly and gave
him her hand.
But why linger 80 far from the
paternal CASTER Has thy gentle pal.
frey gone lameT'
EdmonIa glanced suggestively back
along the highway. 'T'm waiting for
a friend" She said II with conviction.
The dasty road stretched in two long,
undertaking lines in either direction.
No one was in sight. PercivaIs gaze
abandoned its quest and returned sus-
to the crimson rambler.
Gould J." he asked anxiously, figure
IN that capacityT
She reddened in turn, then scanned
him critically Perhaps" She was
still rather doubtful Of his capabilities.
scorning as inexcusabIe de-
votion to his business which had made
him hitherto ignore the automobile
craze, he flattened himself out after
the manner Of the ardent autOmobllist
under her car and confded his despair
70 her to1neau.
It was bad enough not TO be roman
tic, but not to be even nseful was un-
He had not the slightest
Idea OF how to start the machine. He
crawled out from under the machine
and mounted to the drivers seat
Her sudden accession Of trust in.
spIred by his businesslike manner, pro
yoked him to fresh endeavor. He made
a great show OF moving brakes, tight
ening useless screws and peerlng into
the machine while she scanned the
scenery.
Whatever he finally did to that auto
mobile to start It Percivale does not
know. Suddenly It slid out OF the
shade into the road like a bird from
under HIS hand. Aha" be cried, with
an assurance that be was ia. from
feeling, Il thought soF'
He held a trembling hand upon the
wheel and answered irrelevant ques-
tons at regular intervals. They were
now gliding along between hedgerows
Of gorgeous autumn color. He began
to feel more at ease. Edmonia hum
med little sing as old as It was
sweet:
The rose that all are praising
Is not the rose for me.
He looked at her and in that look
forgot his new responsibility. She was
gazing steadily down the dusty turn
pike, little smile upon her lips, as
though she would see the knight Of
her dreams in plumed helmet and
shining armor riding to bear her away.
"He couldn't catch us" said Perci-