The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1909-03-09
When theSun
Came Out.
BY ELLIOT WALKER
Copyrighted. laNa. BY Associated
Literary Press,

view Is a great. soft toned picture,
mused Edwina, gazing from an open
space halfway up Partridge mountain.
my mood is just right to appreciate
such wild, gray day, IL takes me out
Of myself"
She sighed. shaking her head reso-
lutely, then braccd against sudden
sweep Of bitter wind, feeling a tlngle
of defiance In confronting the bowling
gust.
Her laugh. reckless unmirthful,
echoed along Its hoarse traR. "Sun'
shlner' she cried. "Bah, like this bet,
teri 1t puts In ones soul sense Of
strength. ambition TO overcome obsta.
cles, to rise above foolish grieving.
That's what l want"
She chung to a sapllng, bending with
its sway, closing her eyes, drinking ln
deep drafts Of the inyigorating air.
whose frosty breath stung her cheeks
to a glory OF color.
"Comer' rang her voice ''Come on.
old Boreasl Swing mel Pelt me! Help
meP'
There was wildness in her suppl.
cation, bescechIng note. Edwina
Surrey, throwing herself to natures
rough embrace, had much to forget
A shout-that Of painting man and
llarmlngly near caused the sir! to turn
In sudden dismay.
Coming! Here's helpr'
SWISH whir! Like swift, envel
oplng sheet the snow was upon her
binding her now wide opened eyes
choking back her startled exclamation.
A dense, thickenIng, whirling mantle.
II swept from the lowering heavens,
searching every leafess brown bush
and gray rock creyice with white, re-
lentless fingers.
Fdwina could not see, she heard a
crashing through the brush. an irri
tated mutter Where in blazes IS the
creature2 Ow, my shin" and then
louder: 'Hellol What's the troubleT
The girl grasped her little tree, tight
eaing her lips.
'Its Ham," she swallowed. "oh, be
mustn't find me-"
But Hamilton knight stumbled into
the open. His eyes were keen. In
three seconds be had reached the
shrinking figure.
my good woman" be began, don't
be afraid Of me. l beard you calling
for assistance"
He bent nearer, brushing the snow
from his eyes. and prolonged
~WhQwF broke from his pursed lips.
Edwina Strengthened up. facing him
dehantly.
"You are mistaken, Mr.. Knight" In
an acid voice, somewhat shaky. Il am
quite capable Of caring for myself"
Then why did you call, EdwinaT
II didn't. | was only singing"
singing! well-I-swear!'
"Wnl you please go?"
"And leave you here? No, viii
not. It's the nastlest first Of the sea
son storm ever saw, and It has come
to stay awhile. What business have
you IN this lonesome hole anyway"
None Of yours. guess / can walk
where l please. You've no right
The man interrupted her coolly.
"Be sensible, Edwina. This Is bad
fix, and we must get out Of 1t. All my
strength and wits viii be needed to
find a way down to the road. | see
you are warmly clad. That's good.
I'm dressed for tramping. so we can
push along without picking a path.
Regard me as you llke-stranger, st.
Bernard dog, plous monk, any old
thing but be sensible. That's all"
You may know best" the girl shiv-
cred a bit. Personally l don't mind
a snow furry
Knight shrugged. His features set
anxiously as he peered here and there.
ut doesn't let up at ALL" said he
"Do you know just how you got to
this spot?'
"Oh, l merely kept going!' carelessly.
Hum! So did |. Well break our
necks attempting to go straight down.
There must be paths and wood roads
we can strike by keeping along the
side. That Is best, / think. II the
sun would only come out and clear
up thingsw
"Pshaw! We win have no trouble.
Go ahead"
She spoke in that tone of polite res.
ignatlon which hints at hope Of early
deliverance from forced escort. The
man stamped, evidently nettled.
"Cold feetY' asked Edwina In simu.
lated sympathy.
mo, Come along"
For a few minutes It was not hard
travelling. The girl pushed on behind
the tall figure, half smiling to her
thought Of annoying him, unconscious
ly admiring the broad back and strong
steps Of this lately discarded lover.
1t had been bitter quarrel, lasting
about four minutes, with a dogged 81
lence worse than words on the part Of
the recreant Hamilton and an outpour-
ing Of recrimination from Edwina. of
which she still felt proud.
Mr.. Knight had kissed Lillian Carey.
Miss Carey had returned the saIuta-
ton with interest. Hattie Benson had
seen them and promptly reported LII |
Han went to Springfield that evening.
Knight refused to explain, assuming
an air of infurv