The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1889-03-09
Then ran down to the post-box

WlSter1a.
Give glad news this morning." l
cried, triumphantly. "You have
heard mespeak of my dear pen friend,
Anderson John?"
Janet nodded.
Indeed, / remember now that you
are an ardent admirer ofhis writings.
In fact. now that l think oft, you
went out and bought a second vol
umn of his Story of the War; just to
have it always in yonr room. Well,
if nothing unforeseen prevents, he will
make me a visit within the next few
days. I am SO glad that this is va
cation, and that you did not go to
the lakes, because you can help me
entertain him. We will put fresh
flowers in the guest chamber, and ]
believe I will make fruit cake, and
we will have whipped cream for
strawberries. He told me once there
was no fruit to him like the straw
berry"
Janet started slightly and clasped
her white hands together. Had some
one else said the same thing in the
old days?
Iran down the walk and came
back with handful of dewy roses, a
cluster of which I pinned at her
throat and one I fastened in her
hair.
1--WE must be festive and gay" I
said, "while our company remains.
l hope we may like him as we do his
books
81 fear we need not hope for that"
she said, softly; "else, you see, |
should want a second copy to keep"
laughed at her reference to the
book on her table, and turned the
conversation. Gradually I came
around to the talk of the day be-
fore.
"Did you ever think that there
might be some mistake or some de-
ception?" l enquired.
NO." she answered slowly. 81
thought Helen showed 1ne proof
enough. l sometimes feel ashamed
of myself for clinging to a love for a
man who had SC. discarded me, but
I cannot help it,
81 suppose ought not set strange
thoughts into your head after all
these years, but l believe that Helen
met the soldier boy on her way home
from the call on your mother; /
think she told him some yarn about
your absence, rode back with him to
her house, hailed her father, who cor.
roborated her statement that you
were absent; that she, somehow, got
old 81, twas that his name?) to de-
stroy his letters to you; that he
wrote to Helen, as being your near
est neighbor, for information; that
she wrote him that you were false,
and believe if he lies under the sod
Mt Bull Run that he died believing
you false to him. No, no, don't pro-
test; l can see just how it all was
from your story, and l believe l am
right"
Janet had risen and come hastily
to my side.
"Could-such-a-th ing-be-pos-
sible?" she said, her face quivering
with emotion.
81 feel certain that it was just as 1
say"
She buried her head in my lap and
sobbed violently. At last she raised
her face, and brushed away her tears,
and smiling in dim, wintryway,
whispered.
pardon this. We will bury the
whole matter, now and forever"
And then she went swiftly down the
veranda and up to her room.
For the next three days WANDERED
about the house, busted, arranged
and rearranged evry article of flrni-
ture. and filled again and again
every vase in the house with fresh
flowers. A telegram had reached me
saying, 81 start at $50 tonight"
and, counting the distance, l said to
Janet:
"Andrews will be here on the seven
o'clock train of Thursday night.
We must put on our gala dresses to
meet him.
AS the time for his arrival drew
near, sent James to the station
with the carriage. "Leave him at
the side entrance" l gave directions,
and taking up my post on the little
side porch, I waited anxiously.
A rumble of wheels, the familiar
click of Goldie's feet and my dusty
traveller was whirled up to the
door.
"And is this my own old Inkyfn-
ger?" he said bounding up the step.
"And this is Anderson
We clasped hands, and without a
word l ledhim quickly to the guest
chamber.
Il will wait here until the dust is
off," I said pausing in the hall.
In an incredible short time he reap
peared.
81 am destroyed with conflicting
emotions" he said. 81 am so de-
liQ hted to really meet face to face
one who has been my best friend so
long, and l am wild to know what
brought me here"
I hurried him into my den, closed
the door, and pointed to the big,
lounging chair. He threw himselfin-
to it with the half weary, half dizzy
air of traveller just off the wheels.
"You wrote me once that you were
q prisoner in Andersonville prison
during the war.
He nodded.
"Once you wrote that your sweet
heart Tilted you cruelty, and thatyou
had never since taken any interest in
women"
always Mrs. Inkyfnger ex-
pected."
"a truce to compliment" I cried,
nervously,
"And you spoke of her as Nettie,
did you not?"
"Nettie; yes, her name was Janet"
Precisely. Well, did it ever oc-
cur to you that she might not have
been untrue; that Helen Bethel might
have acted dishonestly?"
"My God!" he cried, bounding to my
side and catching my hands. "You
don't moan tn cav that little Nettie