The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1883-10-20

other way would plead in excuse for the
unusual means he had employed to intro.
/ duce himself to her attention. He outlin.
ed his history, his prospects, and named
two or three reputable citizens of whom
inquiries might be made, by any of he1
relatives, about his character.
Then he carefully detached photograph
of himself from the card on which it was
mounted, and rolled it, with his note,
tightly around and near the head of an
arrow, securing them in place by two or
three small rubber bands. He waited i'm
patiently until the MONDAY bell summon
ed the lady from her work to the dinner
room; then, after mighty tug at the bow
string, he loosed the shaft. His message
| was not in air a second, vet he had time
to wonder what would happen if the ar
row missed the open window, struck the
side of the house and fell into the yard, to
be picked up and examined by servants.
But the shaft was true to its mark, and
the lady happened to see it as soon as she
re-entered her room. From his hidden
point of observation Latham saw the pref
ty artist pick up the arrow, unwind the
note, look at the picture, and then read
his message. She did not seem displeased; :;
that was good sign. She looked long at
the picture; that also was good sign.
Then she read the note again, and finally
she placed note and picture in her pocket
not in her bosom as Latham fondly
hoped she would-and returned to her
easel but the young man could see, through
his glass, that she cast an occasional eau
tious glance toward the house in which he
was.
Suddenly she arose, left her work, and
dropped the little shade that kept the mid
day sun from her head. Latham fell into
profound gloom from which he was extri-
Gated by note that reached him half an
hour later. 1t was from the pretty artist;
it was signed agnes Hayle." 1t was
very short and modestly marked ''strictly
confidential" and said that in considera-
tion of the confidence be had imposed in
her, the writer would grant Mr.. Latham
an interview at her home at half past in
the evening, but she begged that he would
not speak to her of love or act in any way
but that in which an honorable stranger
would conduct himself toward any lady.
Latham kept the appointment to MIN
ute. He found the lady as pretty as she
had seemed from greater distance, al |
though paler than she had appeared by |
daylight. She welcomed him with smile, |
could say anything she said rapidly, and
in low tone:
MIR. Latham, nv business is to study |
faces from photographs, SO from your pic
ture, as well as your note, felt that you
were too much OF man to be trified with
want to keep you from thinking of me
any longer, and can do so by telling you
Just one thing.'
Latham was certain she could do moth
ing of the kind, but he looked at her in
luiringly. She dropped her eyes, hesi-
lated moment, and finally said:
"Your landlady pays my room-rent and
board on the sole condition that shall do
Ill my work in that window, so the occu-
pants of her back rooms, eight in number,
and all young men, can see me. She says
It enables her to get double prices for her
rooms. My position is not pleasant, but a
woman must live, especially when she has
sick husband to care for.''
Husband - gasped Latham.
eyes," said the lady; ''you will excuse
ne if bid you good evening and return
o the poor, dear fellow"
Latham excused her, and within an
hour he moved to hotel.