Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1890-07-10
THE LOVE LETTER,

Mss Orintilia Brown set down her
teacup with mn emphasis that made all
he china rattle. And little Mrs. Meek
er Jumped nervously at the sound.
II never heard ANYTHING SO ridiculous
in al my life. :" said Miss Brow, deris-
lively. "Gllber. Mott in love with
Georgia Arlington! Why, she's mere
doll, with big blue eyes and pink cheeks
and yellow curls."
"She's very fascinating in her man
ncrs," Mrs Meeker ventured to remark
ooh, pshaw!" was Miss Orlnthias
contemptuous comment. And you re-
ally think he's in love with herr"
"Yes, must say that think So"
"!Ah-h-h" said Orinthia, meaningly.
IF l only dared to tell you ALL"
Dear mel" said Mrs. Meeker, eager.
ly; what do you nlean?"
Nothing said Miss Brown, with a
nod OF her head. "He walked home LIST
night with me--didn't hs?"
Yes, but"
HE stayed ON my side of the room all
the time We were decorating the fair
rooms with evergreens, didn't he?"
eyes, but that WIS because"
"And-but never mind, never mind y
said Miss Orinthia, mysteriously. "Time
will show! Georgia Arlington, indeed
why she's nothing but q child--a nero
school girl! I know better!"
"Do tell me, Miss Orinthia," pleaded
Mrs. Meekcr. "Is he really engaged to
you?"
Miss Orinthia pursed No her lips,
dropped her eyelids with manner that
was wonderfully eloquent. but she would
commit herself no further!
"Let's go up stairs and finish dressing
those china dolls for the lucky bag"
said Miss Brown. 1--WE shall get more
money ont of the lucky bag than any
thing else, and we must be sure and
have it we'll furnished"
While the tea-drinking ceremonial
had been going on in the lower part Of
The mansion Of Mrs. Meeker. quite o
different chain of circumstances was
transporting above stairs. Mr.. Gilbert
Mott, who had been inveigled into the
stairs of the Ladies Fair, nolens volens,
had come early to help in the last prep
arations. and, walking up to the work
room, had surprised - lovely blue eyed
lassie in the occupation of filing sundry
cones of bright-hu d paper with sugar
plums and French bon-bons.
Georgia Arlington shook back her
sunny curls and blushed like June
rosebud, as sine started up.
Don't go, Miss Arlington, please Y"
pleaded Gilbert, himself not embar-
raised. Bnt Georgia muttered some-
thing about roll of ribbon which she
had forgotten, and futtered past him
ere he could demonstrate further.
Gilbert looked after hcr, Will, a
whimsical expression OF despair on his
countenance.
Now, why does she run away from
me like that?" he said to himself.
Probably because she knows it tanta-
Lies me! But I'll be even with her yet
If she won't let mo tell her how dear
~ I love her, I'll write to her!"
And needless of the neglected piles
Of cedar-sprigs and princess pine, yet
waiting 10 be wrought into garlands, he
sat down to the table and seizing pen
and ink began q passionate billet doux
alter the following fashion:
| INV Oxr.~ Dur<,r,v,r n nv W.,
| go cold and cruel to me! Why will you not
let me tell you in words what you must so often
| have read in my eyes-the story of my hearts
devoton! For Hove you, and have loved you,
and shall love You to the worlds end, and you
must have seen 1t for yourself during the last
| few days that we have been working together
for the church fair! Yet you will not give Tie
| . word or glance OF encouragement!
us this right, my ruthless queen of hearts?
But AM determined that you shall tell me when
we meet again whether ! may hope or not!
| Until then, sweet one, I am half in despair,
| half hopeful,
"Yours ever and unalterably, GIN"
He had just scrubbed off this un-
studied effusion when the sound of foot
stems on the stairs chased away the soft
shadows Of his love dream, and he had
just time to slip the paper under leaf
of Norway spruce twlgs, when Mrs.
Meeker and Miss Orinthla Brown en-.
| tered.
"At work so soon!" cried the latter
archly. Isn't he industrious, Miss
| Meeker?
| YES" said Gilbert. hypocritically.
I'm at work already!"
So he was but not exactly for the
/ fair.
He watched nervously for an oppor-
tunity to possess himself of the pre-
cious sheet of paper, without observa-
ton, but Miss Orintria. doubtless promp.
ted thereto by some balefnl. evil spirit.
lowered around the spruce boughs like
middle. aged turtle-dove, and effectu-
ally werded off his designs. And pres
emily he was borne downstairs in the
popular current to open some boxes OF
donations. which had just arrived by
parsels delivery.
II can easily come back and get it