The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1911-02-03

duo you cduuOI Imagine uOW Soou ~
tasted"
Indeed can," Dushane said
heartily. 1.-THE next time you run
away you must tell me and will &c
too. and I will catch some fish, and
we will broil them over the Goals"
She clasped her hands eagerly
There comes Nell now" she said
We've planned to go tomorrow, and
am going to tell ner you want to
accompany u.s."
Nell had none of Julia's naughty
pride, but she was very fresh, and
sweet, and enthusiastic as she talked
to Dushane.
DO not tell JULIA" she insisted
she hates to have mother and me
do such things, but tomorrow there
will be lot Of people for tennis and
tea, and we thought we could run
away, and not have to meet them"
| i will run away too," Dushane
said. II will meet you at the second
bridge. They will never miss me In
the crowd" w..
But Julia did miss this wealthy and
important guest. 1t was because OF
him that she had invited her neigh
bors for tea and tennis. She was
proud OF her conquest, and wished to
show him off.
Dushane appeared among them for
a moment, and then he could not be
found, and little did Julia guess that
he was on the road to tryst with
her mother and schoolgirl sister.
Dushane caught half dozen trout
and broiled them with bits of bacon
The little old lady made coffee, and
Nell stirred up a cornbread and
baked 1t over the Goals. In the midst
OF the feast came Julia, flaming.
What are you doing?" she de-
manded. sweeping in upon them, all
In pale pink. with rosy plumes in her
wide hat. Il missed you, and the
servants said you had come this way.
thought something must have hap.
pened, and / ran away from my
guests long enough to find you here.
cannot understand II. Why has
mother come out here in that old
lawn dress and wide hat? Nell, what
IT some one had seen your"
In her anger she had forgotten
that Dushane might sit in Judgment.
Her voice, usually low and we'll mod.
ulated, was harsh and rough. Du.
shane thought of the cry of the pea.
cock. This was the discordant note!
Yes, we ran away" he said, and
his glance met Julias steadily. your
mother does not enjoy tennis and tea
and crowds Of people, and she enjoys
this. why should not she have it?"
The direct question brought Julia
to her senses.
why, OF course" she faltered.
only nice people don't do such
things"
my mother does them" Dushane
stated. Il have been with her in the
woods many day, and we have
roasted potatoes. and boiled corn,
and hal all sorts of feasts."
Julia saw that sho had made a
mistake, and attempted to retrieve 1t.
But Dushane had no eyes for her: he
was watching Nell whose crimson
cheeks and tear wet eyes showed her
distress. He WAS watching, too. the
old lady'g trembling lip and nervous
hands. His heart went out in sym.
pathy and tenderness. These two
women needed him; more than that,
Nell wax girl to love.
They went home a detected group.
The little mother and Nell entered
by the back door. Julia re1oined
her guests, and Dushane drifted
down the shady walk to the marble
bench by the fountain. On the ter.
race the peacock spread his plumage
and gave forth his cries.
At dusk u little figure crept like a
shadow to the fountain. 1t was Nell
In filmy white and pearls.
"Are we such sinners?" she whis.
pered. Wasn't 1t dreadful?"
Dushane rose and took her hands
in his.
NO." he said, but am afraid
Julia will never forgive me, and I'm
NOT sure. Nell, that want her for.
giveness. But there is something
that | do want and I am not going
to ask 1t now. You are the sweetest
woman in the world, and your mother
Is Just little faded edition of you.
Some day, and hope 1t will not be
long, | want to take care OF you
both: but this is not the time to ask
1t. VIII you wait little and then
let me come back to you, Nell?~
"Ohi"she whispered, 'but Julia? ?"
"Julia will find many Others" he
said. who will adore her beauty.
She doesn't need me any more than
l need her, but you will fill my
heart May come back?"
And the fountain heard her as she
answered "Yes."