THE MORNING ASTORIAN, ASTORIA, OREGON.
THURSDAY, WEPT, 21
Coward
By CLARISSA MACKIE.
Copyrighted, 1W8. by Associate J
Literary lYesg.
"I must give you back 'jour free
dom. I will not tell you why, lie
cause yon would call my reasons ab
surd. In justice to you It must be so.
Try to forgive me." So wrote Jack
Brierson when he Wke his engage
ment and Miss Aberncthy pressed her
white lips together scornfully and sent
back the betrothal ring by registered
mail In a very practical manner.
Then because the long, euervatlug
spring days bad robbed her cheeks of
their wonted bloom aud the genus of a
convenient "malaria" had dulled the
brightness of her brown eyes Rose
Abernethy's guardian aunt, carried her
bodily away Into the braclug Adiron
dack region, where they lived the sim
ple life of tba woods and Inhaled vigor
and peace with the sweet air.
Gradually the cynical lines faded
from Rose's face, and when the sum
mer brought a greater influx of vis
itors to the large hotels she found her
self back In that whirl of pleasure of
which she had always necessarily been
a part
. One afternoon she went to her fa
vorite retreat on the brink of the Fall
ing hill, where a huge bowlder under
the pines afforded a comfortable seat.
Here she had come every day to wit
ness the glorious pageantry of the sun
set and her joy In its recurring splen
dor was always tinged with dread of
the sheer precipice that yawned at her
feet
-.- Now she was reveling in the solitude
, of the spot when slow, hesitating steps
broke the silence. She turned as a
man came Into view, parting the bush-
es with a familiar brown hand. It
was Jack Brierson.
Apparently he did not see her, for
he continued his faltering advance al
most to the very edge of the hill. Then
he stopped and looked away toward
the west with level eyes and a face so
stilled from all emotion that its very
tenseness was eloquent of pain.
Rose Abernethy's face paled as she
watched him curiously. It seemed
Tery strange to be watching Jack at
HELP WANTED
WANTED -A GOOD COOK;
wages $J0. Apply to Mrs. Capt.
Lumercnux, Fort Stevens. 9-24-4t
City House, Tenth street. 9-2J-6t
MESSr.r.GEk BOYS WANTED -
Apply Western Union Telegraph
office.
it:.
"LET GO !" HE SAID HOARSELY. "YOU ABE
KI6KEIQ YOUB LIFEl"
this remote distance with that empty
feeling in her heart and brain. She
Hdn't even hate him. Some girls might
have done so after being jilted, but
somehow she didn't care. She leaned
forward breathlessly as he suddenly
raised the light stick which he carried
and "made another step toward the
bring of the precipice.
"Don't!" she cried involuntarily,
and she stepped around the pine and
held out a protesting hand.
Brierson turned sharply, and his
blank gaze met her own unrecogniz
Ing, indifferent.
"I thought I was alone," he said
courteously, removing his hat
"I I thought you did not see that
' you were so near the edge of the preci
pice," she said in a low tone and with
burning cheeks.
He felt about with his stick In a
clumsy, unseeing manner and dislodg
ed a stone, which went hurtling down
the steep Incline with an alarming
crackle of twigs and earth. He stood
In a listening attitude until the echoes
had died away, and then he extended
one hand with a helpless gesture.
- "I am sorry to trouble you, madam,
but I am blind. Will you kindly turn
Bie about into the safe path?"
Something warm came into the girl's
heart as he spoke, and her lips quiver
ed painfully. . She laid a small hand
en his coat sleeve. As she did so the
turf crumbled under his feet, and, with
a startled cry, he sank away from her
over the brink of the precipice.
Strengthening her grasp' on his
sleeve as his weight pulled her down
ward, she threw her strong young
body on the ground and clutched with
her free hand at the tough branches of
a stunted cedar.
J'Let' go!" be said hoarsely. "You
are risking your life!"
"I shall not let go," she replied de
cisively. "Except for your blindness
you are a strong man?"
' "Yes," he said Impatiently, "but you
must release me at once, madam! If
I have been foolish enough to jeopar-
SITUATION WANTED.
WANTED GIRL WANTS PLACE
to work at general house work.
Apply 263 Alameda avenue.
EXPERT PIANO TEACHING.
AN f EXPERT ' PIANO "TEACHER
will instruct a limited number of
pupils in their own homes; a few
specially reduced term lessons. Ap
ply early to 424 Commercial street.
9-22 6t
HOUSES FOR SALE.
FOR SALE ROOMING HOUSE;
14 rooms; $400. A. R. Johnson, 120
Twelfth street. 9-23-tf
FOR SALE AN 8-ROOM MOD
em house; price $3500; this is less
than cost. A. R. Johnson, 120 Twelfth
street. 9-23-tf
t'.Wd my own life you must not E!erl
flto yours!"
"If you nre Btroujr you can pull your
self up by the old of this cedar tree. 1
will bend It down-so there! Now.
draw yourself up, and I will help you
on to Arm ground.?
Five minutes later he lay panting on
the ground at her feet "I ani very
grateful" ho began eagerly, when her
crisp, cool voice stopped the words on
his Hps.
"I am mora than repaid," she said,
with cruel emphasis. "I never met a
coward before!"
"A-coward!" be stammered, sitting
np and turning bla sightless eyes to
ward ber.
"A coward!" she repeated firmly.
"You see I know-Rose Abernethy."
"Ah, you have the advantage of me,
madam. Ytmr flattering words Indicate
that you have some knowledge of my
affairs."
Ills face was very red, and his black
brows were drawn together In an an
gry frown.
I know enough to form an opin
ion," said Miss Abernethy coldly. "I
will tell you why I believe you to be a
coward If you wish."
He smiled grimly.
"You have been good enough to save
a very worthless life. Go on."
"You are a coward because you are
afraid to let Rose Abernethy know
that you are blind. You denied ber the
right to share your affliction aud to let
her money make things easier for you.
She would gladly have shared her pal
try dollars with you."
You don't understand, whoever you
are," he said shortly. "I am a poor
man. I bad just reached a point where
my fortunes depended npon the keen
ness of every faculty, and this blind
ness came npon me like a stroke of
lightning. I could not ask Rose beau
tiful, bright Rose to play nurse and
Lady Bountiful to a miserable blind
beggar." He dropped his face In his
hands and, forgetful of her presence,
groaned bitterly.
"You have forgotten her. She had
some rights. You could never have
really loved her, Mr. Brierson."
He lifted a ghastly face.
"God knows I did, I do, I always
shall, but I could not ask her to wait
on indefinitely, and I know her un
selfish nature, capable of any sacrifice!
She would lose youth and everything
that goes to make up her joy in life.
I could not-I had not the courage to
face her and tell her the truth. You
are quite right 1 am a coward."
There wasa long silence after that
while the sun sank behind a distant
range and long, cool shadows fell over
the two sitting among the pine needles.
The man sat with his hands clasped
about his knees, while his countenance
settled Into that Impassive calm with
which he bad first faced the snnset
. The girl watched him with pitying
eyes and trembling Hps. Twice she
parted them to speak, and each time
her voice died away In her pretty
white throat.
"And the doctors said?" she asked at
last.
"That the sight might return as sud
denly as it went or a costly operation
might effect a cure. Overstrain has
paralyzed the optic nerves," be replied
without moving.
Rose sprang to her feet, and for the
first time that afternoon her voice rang
out clear and sweet:
"It is growing late, Jack. Will you i
take me back to the camp?"
Brierson was beside her instantly
with groping hands.
"Rose, Rose," he cried Joyfully, "It
Is you! It has been you all the time?"
"Yes," she said, withdrawing from
his touch with a confusion he could
not perceive. "You must let me show
you the way, nnd then"
"And then" he echoed breathlessly.
"and then you will not leave me you
will forgive my mental blindness and
my cowardice?"
"lou do not need me," she ventured pnR SALE-12 DAIRY COWS. In
wistfully. j . pi,,n,nr.j c,; ,
"Ah. .le.nr l.Piivr. I fli.1 not know how I " .
, - i n: ur tt i .
much I needed you!" he cried remorse- ! "mLC auuress vrarrcnion, ncrDen
yfullv. "You will ford ve m.v brutality i& oie. . SM7-H
and show me the way to happiness ir.r . Z Z
once more?" He turned appealing, j F0R SALE CHEAP, ONE SCHOL
sightless eyes and beseeching hands arship in the International Corres
CLASSIFIED. ADVERTISEMENTS
MISCELLANEOUS.
ASSESSOR'S NOTICE.
ASSESSOR'S N0T1CE-(EQUAL1-jtntion
of 1908 Assessment). To
the Taxpayers of Clatsop County,
Oregon: Notice is hereby that the
Board of Equalization for Clatsop
WANTED - PRACTICAL, AND
landscape gardener desires work by County, Oregon, will convene at the
day; terms reasonable. Apply at Bay Clerk's oflice at the Court House in
Astoria on the 19th day of October,
1908, the same being the third Mon
day in said month and the time fixed
by law for the meeting of said Board
BOYS WANTED TO CARRY PA
pcrs. Apply Circulation Depart-
ment, Astorian Office. 9-lMf;o E,wa,iiatjon whlch wiI1 continue
its sessions from day to day, exclu
sive of Sundays and legal holidays,
UNDERTAKERS.
J. A. OILUAUmt & CO.,
Undertakers nud EmluUtuers.
Experienced Liuly Assistant
wnen uesireu.
Smith's Spec
Delivery
EXPRESS AND BAGOAQE
Leave Orders at Star Cigar Store,
Phont Black 2383
Res. Pbbnt Red 2278, 4
Bund Corner 11th ani Commercial
until the examination and correction
and equalization of the 'assessment
roll for said year shall be .completed
which said Board will continue m
session for one month from said date,
unlesskthe labors thereof are sooner
completed. Petitions or applications!
for the reduction of a particular a
sessmcnt shall be mnde In writing,
verified by the oath to the applicant
or his attorney and filed with the
Board during the first week it is re
quired by law to be in s'esslon, and
any petition, or application not so
made, verified and filed shall not be
considered or acted upon by the
Board.
T. S. CORNELIUS,
Assessor for Clatsop County, Ore.
Calls Promptly Attended Day
or Night.
Tatton Bdyr. 12th aud DuaueSU
AMTOHIA. OKE.UON
FhoueMaluiSlil
MIQICAU
HOUSE MOVERS.
FOR SALE--ROOM ROOM I NG
house; $750; here is a chance for
some one to make money; call and
let me explain the proposition. A. R.
Johnson, 120 Twelfth street. 9-23-tf
FREDR1CKSON BROS.-We make
a specialty of house moving, car
centers, contractors, general jobbing;
prompt attention to all orders. Cor
ner Tenth and Duane streets.
MISCELLANEOUS.
UnpruaUa
8uoeeM' ef
DR. t GEE P
TBI GREAT
CBIJNESI DOCTOI
'' Who It kanm
.ilirfinolinnt Ilia TTnltat
JBtUe on accouBi
No pottos or drugs ussi, Hs gusras
wea t eur catarrh, asthma, lun u
throat trouble, rheumatism, osrvousoest
stomach, liver and kUnsj. amals torn
. piainU and all ohronle diseases.
luccissrui home thatxint
If you cannot call writs for symplon
oianK and circular, Inclosing 4 outs I
stamps.
THE C. GIE WO MIDICIin CO
1121 First St., Corner Morrison
P0RTIA1TD, ORXOOH.
Plsste nsntkm tU AitorUa.
MISCELLANEOUS.
Plate Racks, Wall Pockets.
Music Racks, Clock Shelves
Just in See us
llildebrand & Gor
Old Btc Hive Bldg.
HOT OR COLD
Golden West
Tea
Just Right
CLOSSET & PEVERS,
PORTLAND, ORE.
MAGAZINE BINDING OF ALL
kinds done at the Astorian Office
TRANSPORTATION.
The nKM Line
PASSENGERS . FREIGHT
ROOMS FOR RENT.
TWO UNFURNISHED HOUSE
keeping rooms for rent Apply 584
Commercial street.
FURNISHED HOUSEKEEPING
and single rooms. 677 Exchange,
9-15-61
FOR RENT 3 NICELY FURN
ished room, en suite; central locat
. ......
ea; suitanie tor tour young men
with bachelor tendencies. Call 519
Duane street. 9-24-3t
LOTS FOR SALE.
A LOT 50x100 SUITABLE FOR
flats or an apartment house; $3000.
A. R. Johnson, 120 Twelfth St. 9-9-tf
WANTED-TO RENT.
WANTED TO RENT A STOCK
or dairy farm for cash or shares,
(Address Lewis &. Clark, R. F. D,
box bu. y-4-im
LOST AND FOUND.
LOST - CHILD'S BRACELET
set, with purple stones. Finder
please return to Astorian office and
receive reward.
FOR SALE MISCELLANEOUS
toward ber.
She placed her hand in his.
Jack," she said.
"Come.
Laughing Gat For Poets.
Sir Humphry Davy was the first to
inhale nitrous oxide. Ills experiment
WANTED-TO BUY A HORSE,
weieht about 1250 oounds: not over
was " resuu o a reporc puonsueu. g 0,d must fce d drivef d
tv a hrnthpr pnomlof rnnr Innphlnc ens. ! .
pondence School of Scranton. En
quire Astorian office. 8-7-tf
WANTED MISCELLANEOUS.
by a brother chemist tbat laughing gas,
called by him oxide of septon, was
the cause and basis of all contagion.
Cautious experiments made with the
diluted fflr, produced no 111 effects, and
Davy proceeded to Inhale considerable
quantities of t!iL pure gas. Contrary
to his expectations, the effects were
highly pleasurable. Thrills of pleasure
pervaded bis body, and his mind was
filled with ideas and emotions of the
most exalted kind, which, however,
were very Indistinct when the effect of
the gas passed off. It occurred to Sir
Humphry Davy that the gas might
be useful In promoting poetic inspira
tion, aud he accordingly tried writing
verse while under Its Influence, but the
recorded result hardly shows a close
connection between the divine afflatus
and nitrous oxide. Davy's experi
ments had the effect of making the In
halation of laughing gas for a time
highly fashionable, so that iu 1802 a
French writer alludes to it as having
become a natioinl vice In England.
gentle, also city broke.
torian office.
Address As-
6-9-tf.
An Inference.
First Old Lady Oh, I do so love par
rots! Second O. I,. So do I; they're so
Intelligent. First O. L. Yes, I was
down the street the other day and saw
one in a cage at a store door. I said,
"Pretty roily." and he, cried. "Get
away, you old fool!" Second O. L.
Well, what appropria'e remarks they
do make! Llpplncott'i
WANTED WE PAY" HIGHEST
cash price for second-hand and new
furniture; see us before you sell.
Zapf Furniture & Hdw. Co. 9-5-26t
MASSAGE.
OLGA KANTONEN, FINNISH
masseuse and steam baths, room 6,
Pythian Bldg., Commercial St., As
torian, Ore.
PROPOSALS.
BIDS REQUESTED FOR TWEN
ty million gallon reservoir. Sealed
proposals for furnishing materials,
and constructing a twenty million
gallon reservoir, in whole, and in sec
tions, will be received until 12
o'clock noon Friday, October 2, 190S,
at office of the Water Commission,
City Hall, Astoria Oregon. Plans and
specifications may be seen, and blank
forms of proposals obtained at said
office. Certified check in the sum of
not less than 10 per cent of the
amount bid on each contract . must
accompany, bids. ' Right to reject any
and all bids is reserved. City Water
Commission, by G. W. Lounsberry,
Clerk. 9-15-10
LOOSE LEAF LEDGERS -ALL
kinds made by The J. S. Dcllinger
Company.
PROFESSIONAL CARD).
ATTORNEYS-AT-LAW
CHARLES H. ABERCROMBIE
Attorney-at-Law
City Attorney Offices : City Hall
JOHN C. McCUE,
Attorney-at-Law
Page Building, Suite 4
HOWARD M. BROWNELL
Attorney-at-Law
Deputy District Attorney
420 Commercial Street
PLUMBERS.
m iinuTflMii
. ft. DlUnlllUitll
PLUMBER
Heating Contractor, Tinner
, AND
Sheet Iron Worker
LL WORK GUARANTEE!
42S Bond Street
:-.:.,Vi...
Steamer Lurline
Night Boat for Portland and
Way Landings.
I Leaves Astoria dally-txcept Sundsy
at 7 p. m.
Leaves Portland Dally Except Sunday
at 7 i. -n.
Quick Service Excellent Meals
Good Berths
OSTEOPATHS.
DR. RHODA C. HICKS
Osteopath
Office ."vfansell Bldg. Phone Black 2065
i73 Commercial St.. Astoria, Ore.
DENTISTS
DR. VAUGHAN
' Dentist
Pythian Building, Astoria, Oregon
DR. W. C LOGAN
Dentist
Commercial St Shanahan Bids.
BUSINESS DIRECTORY.
RESTAURANTS.
TOKIO . RESTAURANT.
351 Bond Street
Opposite Ross, Higgins & Co.
Coffee with Pie or Cake 10 Cts.
FIRST-CLASS MEALS
Regular Meals 1 5 Cts. and Up.
Yniinrd A. Rtfrsi Landing Astoria Plavel Wharf
I VMS SX LSCmtl Land.,,, Portl,ni vant T.W
PLUMBERS
TINNERS
Steam and Gas Fitting
All Work Guaranteed. 126 Eighth
Street, opp. Post Oflice. Phone Malr
4061.
J. J. DAY, Agent
Phone Main 270a
WINES AND LIQUORS.
Eagle Concert Hall)
(320 Astor Street)
DENTISTS.
We Kill the
Torturing Demon
Rooms for rent by the day, week, or
month. Bes rates in town.
P. A. PETERSON, Prop.
MISCELLANEOUS.
mmmu
IMLAYins
U. S. RESTAURANT.
434 Bond Street
Coffee with Pie or Cake, 10 Cts.
First-Class Meals, IS Cts.
LAUNDRIES.
WE WASH
Everything but the Baby and return
everything but the dirt:
TROY LAUNDRY
Tenth and Duane
hone Main 1991 .
EMPLOYMENT OFFICE.
J. T. NOWLEN .
Real Estate and Employment Office
473 Commercial St., Phone
Have fine list of Astoria and coun
try property, All classes o: labor
furnished.
i . i. . .
wnose paintui ana affonizinz nanirs
mane me intolerable tor the sufferer.
It is but a matter of a moment to si
lence the imp that causes the pain in
the nerve. We practice painless ex
traction and do it carefully. Also the
cleaning and filling of teeth when we
deem them worthy of saving'. Our
Uur Crown and Bridge work demon
strates our professional skill. En
trust your teeth, to us, and vou will
never have cause to complain, .cither
or tne work or the charges.
CHICAGO DENTISTS, .
Cor 14. h and Commercial Sts.
Over Danzigcr's Store.
IN ONE OR MANY COLORS
LARGEST FACILITIES
IN THE WEST. FOR
THE PRODUCTION OF
HIGH GRADE WORK
IATII At LOW At tAtTtll MOUSII
wT .......
60 YEARS'
EXPERIENCE
CONCRETE
WORK DONE
ANY PERSON WANTING ANY
CONCRETE WORK DONE AT
THE CEMET ARIES, WILL
PLEASE LEAVE ORDERS AT
POHL'S UNDERTAKING OF-
fice.
E.NYMAN
Astora, Ore.
P. O. Box 603.
I ..!. ..H.U ..U ...... -l.U-
ivmm
TriADt Marks
A nrftnt lending nihil eh nnd doacrliitlnn may
kit Mtwrimri wit 4Hinnii irvu WMUMlor UP
nil Ion ! prohnlilr rule iiiMi. f onunutikiu
t.nns HtrlctlT ciinciont.lil. HANDBOOK onl'iiteuM
I'itinl.i ttthtin thriiiiili Munil l j. rcculvi
IficM notice, without clmruo, 111 till
K nndomlf lllnitrated mMf. T.nriroit elr.
illation of hit .!ltmlllo linirnul, Tnrnia, t:t i
rnnrt four month!, f U Sola uyull newid(ilor
' tlriudb Otto. H V St., WnihliiKiun. 1. C
MENAN0W0ME1
Vm Big a for unnatural v
dlclirKi,luflninmtk.n.
QummumI u lrritutloni or ulcoratioui v.
Boi to itrlnturt, of muooui niembmndi. Ti. T
fmilb I'siIiikIoi. PmIiiImm. nlkd ntit Aitrln. ''
ItheEvamsChemioai Ca. sunt or iiol'onom.
lOIHDINSAHOfl StoM bjr Dronlila,
j, I or lnt In plnln niitMr,
ll 11 br xrwn. repalil, for
Kjf P l (lit. i".l'."Ul. 2.7S.