Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1889-01-03


Capital Hct Ael That will settle
The whole mnttcr and make all smooth.
by George, I'll do it at once. There's
no time TO be lost, since the old woman
may go of at any moment Hcl he
what pleasant little surprise il will
bc for Melissa Juddln
Thereupon Mr.. Peck reached his hat
and, crossing the street to druggist
presently returned with several tiny
parcels Of powders which he proceeded
ccaretully pour into a small ink bottle
As iftoc the purpose of an easier identi
hcation, or perhaps, to screen the con.
Tents he pasted over this bottle a m,
per wrapper OF a peculiar notified mul.
berry hue Then, seating himself al
the open window for the sake OF the
failing light. he dipped e pen into the
bottle and commenced making experi'
mental flourishes and inscriptions on a
sheet OF paper In large and bold handi
MISS Melissa JNdd Present. Dear
est Melissu. foNr acUotcd ioUen Mrs.
Melissa Pcch"
Having arrived at this latter finale,
Mr.. Peck held the paper of at arms
length and surveyed it with look Of
great disgust His back was at the
window, and he did not perceive that
a thin and wiry female had paused ON
the sidewalk without and with pair
OF keen black eyes was taking in
every thing at a glance-NIn Peck,
mulberry bottle and writing included
She started at sight OF this last, and
uttered an Involuntary gasp, which she
instantly converted into a tromulous
"aheml" Mr.. Peck started, and hasti.
ly thrust the paper and bottle into an
obscure little pigeon-holo above his
desk.
"Abomm said Miss Judd, puckering
hor lips into a constrained smile,
while an unwonted color sulfused her
sallow face. "In the office 80 long
after business hours, MIR. PeckP ]
should think you would be glad to get
away rs soon as possible
Mr.. Peck sighed, and believed he
was getting fond Of solijude-or, rath-
err, getting tired Of It. He began to
find his room at the clearinghouse
rather lonesome, and without any Of
the comforts and pleasures Of home;
and he was never anxious TO return
TO is.
"Aheml was on my way thero-
Imean to Miss Spicor's to leave you n
message from Mrs Jollifer, She wish
es TO see you at once"
"AhPn
Ambrose knew from long experience
whY such a message portended. For
some time he had been out OF his nunt's
good graces, and now she had had a
"falling OUT with Melissa, and ia con-
sequence was about to reinstate him in
her favor and make a new will.
As the two walked together down a
retired side street toward the Jollifer
House, Mr.. Peck took occasion to in
form his fair companion that he ex-
pected TO leave in few days on a brief
business trip. There was something
which he had long wished to say to her.
and before he went he would leave a
letter, which he hoped she would an
swer at once, directing to the address
he would give. And all that evening
Miss Judd found herself so agitated
and bewildered by this new and totally
unexpected experience in her life, that
she actually forgot to air Mrs. Jolli-
fer's sheets before the fire, and TO
warm over the cold chicken-pie for
Fido's supper. No wonder that the ill
used old lady accused her Of intentional
neglect and OF wishing TO see herself
and Fido in their graves in order that
she might enjoy her expected legacy.
And no wonder that she that very
night wrote n new will, constituting
Mr.. Peck and Fido her sole heirs and
legatees.
After this some weeks passed in
which things went on as usual. the
excellent Mrs. Jollifer making and un-
making her will just as the humor
took her Ambrose Peck bore II
philosOphically. Armed with a couple
OF letters from his now afianced bride.
he felt that he could defy the worst
fate that his affcctionate aunt might
have in store for him. As for his
own letter, he had exacted from Melissa
a promise to do with them as he should
with her's-seal them up Immediately
upon receipt, not 10 be opened until
after their marriage" when some
evening at their own freside they
might look them over together and
compare notes" II was. he con-
fessed, a mere fancy OF his; but as II
cost her nothing, Melissa had hu-
mOred il.
So the autumn came, and on a GER
tain evening Miss Melissa Judd had
occasion TO open "A leather trunk.
wherein she kept stored away her
most valued and secret possessions.
This trunk, 10 be secu from Mrs
Jollifer's prying, was kept in the attic.
out OF reach; and thither Miss Judd
now proceeded, leaving the old lady
indulging in her usual afternoon nan.
From this she never woke until four
o'clock, In time for her port wine
Cruel, and the prudent companion
would take care TO be back IN good
time.
On opening the trunk Miss Judd was
lismayed TO find that the rain. drip-
ping from a leak in the roof. had
'ound its way through crack in the
lid and moistened aportjon Of the con-
.ents. Among these was the little box
Mr.. Peck's letters. which
she Immediately hastened 20 examine.
They were dry and uninjured. But as
ihe turned them over something
strange in their appearance arrested
Ter attention. There were the post
marks, but what mad become of tho
lddressP Hastily opening them her
l5tonishment increased Beside the
late Of receipt, which she herself had
written in pencil, there was not a
word or sign written upon either Of
he two inclosed sheets OF paper.