The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1888-11-30

what is it," she asked.
Listen" said Margaret, "this let
ter is from John Lessing!"
my lear Miss Hammond-Pardon the lib,
erty | take in addressing o but once you
acted the part OF a friend to me and eonvinc'
ed me that you have n warm heart"
"Do you not remember that about ten
years ago you wrote me n number of bright
letters for your friend, Miss Norton?
You and she were great friends in those
days, and | nave often wondered what has
become of you. Will you not be kind to me
again and write? have heard no news from
Eastern friends for many years.
Several years ago / married, and ! had a
happy home until two years ago, when my
wife died. | have one little girl.
Il have addressed o by your maiden
name, though am uncertain whether you
still bear it.
"a prompt reply will greatly oblige,
'Yery truly yours,
JOIN LEssING."
Margaret raised her eyes all glow
ing with light. "Only think" she
said, softly, she still remembers"
EYES," simpered Leila, she said he
could never forget me. When you
write to him about me, don't tell him
l am going to be married, and see
what he says in his next letter"
A strange pang shot through Mar
garet and drowned the light in her
eyes.
81 shall write whatever you wish,"
she replied, and laying down the let
ter began to speak OF other things.
AS soon as she was alone, she re-
read the letter, carefully weighing
each word. "Yes," she thought,
Leila was right. 1t is of her he
wishes to know. How could | be so
foolish as to think otherwise! He
was her lover, and he could not even
think of me without first thinking of
her"
The next day she wrote:
my dear Mr.. Lessing-Your letter reached
me yesterday, and was it not a strange coin
cidence that Miss Norton should be here at
the time?
Il remember writing letters for her during
her illness, and it is a pleasure to me that |
can again serve her and you.
"She is quite well and time has touched her
lightly.
"She ~sympathizes with you in the loss OF
you wife, and she was pleased to hear of
you once more. She has continued to live at
the old home in her usual sunny, light. hearted
fashion, and she and | are as great friends
as we were in days agone.'
"My name is the only thing about me
which time is powerless to change.
Very truly yours,
"MARGARET HAMMOND.
She sent the letter with q grim feel
ing of satisfaction, and tried hard
to convince herself that she did not
look for an answer, but the reply
came promptly, and ran as follows:
"My dear Miss Hammond-I cannot COM
prehend how it was that so signally failed
to make myself understood.
at is of yourself | wish to know. Your
breezy letters attracted me long ago, and
your persistent way of ignoring yourself has
piqned my curiosity.
"Will you not be a friend to me for my own
sake? Very truly yours,
John LEssING."
Margaret's feelings were a mixture
of triumph and interest.
Letter after letter went to and fro.
John received and readeach one with
relish, soliloquizing: GA plucky little
woman, lots of grit, rosy cheeks, |
expect, and swapping black eyes"
While Margaret read his epistles with
no less interest, and the "ideal'
lover hidden within her heart letter
by letter assumed the name of John
Leasing.
At last he wrote that he was COM
East and would be at her home
on a certain day.
1t was like the kiss of the prince
upon the lips ofthe Sleeping Beautyl
The "Ideal" lover awoke. He rose
to his full manly height, his tender
brown eyes lost their look of dreami-
ness, his handsome bearded face
beaming with expression, and Mar
garet prepared ia greethim.
She fingered the piano with a
caressing touch, and dreamed of
accompaniment for chin"
She brought out her tavorite books
with the belief that they were "his"
favorities also.
She had placed a bouquet of flow
ers upon the piano, and was about
to 60 upstairs to change her dull
gray morning gown for q more be-
coming garment with a dash o
color, when a man was ushered into
the parlor.
Hearingfootsteps she turned round
and from her serene height of Give
feet five" she looked down upon a
polished bald pate decorated with q
lambrequin-like fringe of tawny red
hair. Then the details ofwatery blue
eyes, a wide mouth bristling with q
scrubby moustache, and a short, fat
figure forced themselves upon her.
well? what is it you wish?" she
asked politely.
II want to see Miss Margaret Ham
mond."
II am Miss Hammond"
He quailed beneath the calm ques-
gaze of her clear eyes, and
lost his usual swavity ofmanner.
eff you are, you might ask me to
sit down. | am John Leasing.
ooh, no! I mean, yes! sitdown, beg
your pardon"
"As you didn't know me-" said he
seating himself, Il suppose | am not
The sort of a looking fellow you took
ne for. If so, I can return the com
oliment."
Thanks. You certainly exceed
ny expectations in many ways.
Did you have a pleasant trip East??"
ooh, yes, pleasant enough. Had
me weather all the way through"
"It has been a delightful Autumn"
The visible barrier of strange faces
lad alienated and paralyzed their
They sat and solem My prosed the