Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1890-03-28

/ and tasted the horrors of prison lift
at Elmira. Originally in comfof-
table circumstances, the war had
stripped him of much, and reduced
him to n plantation on tidewater,
large but not profitable, and some
houses at Richmond, whose rents
formed his income. The mayor WAS
of the school, popular with the ladies.
to whom he showed a respect
almost reverential, and liked to come
north for two or three months-his
wintering there, and his summering
at the White Sulphur, consuming his
surplus means. He was very much
attracted by Lefty Archer, and she
liked to chat with him, and draw out
his old fashioned courtesy. They
moved in the same set and met fire.
quently.
Carter Cooke was at this time call
ed southwark on business, and the
major slid into his place in spite of
his years and displayed an attentive
hess that led people to suspect that
he had pretentions. To the surprise
of Mrs. Burroughs this grew into an
almost confidential intimacy. Cooke
seemed to have been forgotten in his
absence. and Bittles chuckled. The
gallant ex-officer showed himself to
be under q spell, and expressed his
admiration in the most positive
| terms.
81 assuan you, my deah madam"
said he to the widow, chat Miss All
chuh is young lady, that, besides
her youth and beauty, has mo- of
the cotely mannah of the fuhsJ fami-
lies of Virginiah than any gentlewo-
man except you self, that have had
the good fawchune to meet yet in So
ciety."
Lefty and the major got along IA
mously, and his adulation apparent
ly quite supplied the absence of
Cooke. This was supplemented by
the attentions of her guardian, who
became kind and bland again.
Letty's twenty-tirst birthday came
around, and Mrs. Borroughs' stately
mansion was thrown open in honor
of the event. 1t was an informal re-
ception, to last during the day. The
major was specially invited; so was
Carter Cooke, who had just returned
from his place at Highover, where
he had been experimenting repairs
and alterations in the old family
mansion. Bittles was there, of
course, gorgeously arrayed in honor
of the occasion.
About noon Lefty was missing, and
the absence of the major was noted.
Cooke had not yet come. Lefty was
not to be found in the house, but one
of the servants noticed that she and
the major had gone out together, en-
tered coach in waiting on the cor
nor, and been driven away. 1t was
most extraordinary, and Bittles grew
excited over the fact. The guests
present heard of it, and admitted
that 1T was a singular thing at such
a time. 1t was, probably, a girlish
freak, to result in some surprise; and
so it proved.
At l O'Clock number of coaches
drew up before the door. From the
foremost OF these decended the major,
who handed out Lefty, who was fol
lowed by Cooke. From the other
coaches there alighted number of
"the set" 1t was quite little pro-
cession that filed in, the major at the
head, as proud and self approaching
aa II drum major at the head of
street parade.
"Well, here you are" said Bittles.
IL really began to fear, major, that
you and my ward had eloped."
Nothing of that kind, sab, | as
suah yuh," replied the other. 'Iwas
mely the best man on this Joyful
occasion. l have the honuh to in
trodlce you to Mr.. and Mrs. Cahtah
Cooked"
Married. cried Bittles, aghast.
Yes, sill" responded Cooke. "My
bishop in the shape of q supplied
clergyman has enabled me to capture
your queen" And he drew Letty's
arm within his own.
VERY well, sir Miss Archer is of
age and has n right. But. as she
has married without my consent, she
has thrown away a large fortune for
q beggarly five thousand n year.
shall search for the heirs of Catherine
Sinclair tomorrow You have taken
the queen; | cry, check to the king,
STRIP
Excuse me, sir" retorted Cook,
but you utterly mistake the
situation on the board Mrs.
Cooke will have larger al
lowance OF pin money. Ishall make it
ten thousand, with an unlimited COM
mand of check book, which your
action has made equal to a heavy
drain"
MY actionl poohl stuff"
ooh, no, sir! You need not hunt
far tomorrow. My cousin here, Mai.
Boiling, who is the genealogist to
both families, can show by the record
that Catherine Sinclair, daughter of
Gordon Sinclaire, married with the
fourth Carter Cooke, of Highover,
and unfortunately died three years
since, four years after her husband.
She left one heir, a son, the fifth Carter
Cooke, whom / have the honor to
present to you as the husband of |
your ward and the happiest man ON
earth. Mr.. Bittles. checkmater'
l.