Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1891-12-04

sosulh pNiore early morning. ssHe aaled
me 70 keep n sort OF lookout ovar m
place, and when rode over to Al ~, r
TO invite me to tea and found Won uons !
fastened after YOU 'e
ms speech over an embarrassed Il.
srnce io,iowed u WAS broken BY Joe.
who looked straight at his hostess AMI
said: ss anu
II am intruding, Miss Nellie. WHY
lust give the word and III go.p
Helen assured him in consfrairaa
sort Of way that she was glad Il Com
pany. and went ont to prepare the littIe
supper herself, for in those days, az now
servants were rare and inefficient in the
west. - ~
AFTER supper. in all awkward pause 81
the conversation. Joe took up a Httle
case from the table and began exam;n.
ing It's contents-a bright new pair Of
Iney We're new kind just from The
east, and Helen began explaining the
spring lock which opened with skele.
ton key. '~e''
Somehow one of the banda WAS mn
Joes wrist as she slipped the other bright
circiet over her firm, white hand. when
10! the lock snapped and they wee lock-
ID together. -
Helen blnshed crimson and commenced
searching for the key in nervous haste
But no key was to be found. Suddenly
the truth dawned upon her. The kew
was in her fathers pocket and he was
on the other side Of Crow creek. which
was now foaming torrent and danger.
GUS to cross in the storm and darkness.
She tried to smile and treat the matter
lightly, but it was just the ghost Of .
smile, and 1t was very doleful voice
that said: II am afraid, Mr.. Gordon.
that we must break the lock. Father
has the key"
Joe felt tempted to indulge in hearty
laugh over their queer situation. but q
glance at the distressed face across the
table sobered his mirth. A great throb
Of sorrow came over him. II she loved
him she would not care so much.
He gazed at the shining fetter on her
wrist SO long and SO earnestly that
Helen lifted her eyes wonderineiy. but
dropped them again.
What woman ever failed to read the
story that she saw in the honest blue
depth Of her humble Young giants eyesI
Her confusion encouraged Joe, but
there was almost tremor in his voice
as he laid his great brown hand over he,
fettered one and said softly: Nell. il
you only loved me would believe that
it was fate that bound us together.
would take it as an omen that fate would
grant me my dearest wish. But, Nellie
dare not hope"
The girl looked up slowly into her Low.
er's eyes, looked steadily, though she
still saw that look in them: Joe" she
said, lit is fate"
The cool and cultured Mr.. Russell
would have marveled had he seen THAI
queenly girl" sobbing for very joy on
Joe Gordon's shoulder, and, perhaps, ht
would have marveled still more had hi
known that at that moment the thought
Of him and his millions did not once ente,
her mind.
When the sheriff returned in the gray
Of the morning he found an interesting
picture.
The lamp still burned in the corner
and the fire was smoldering away. Or
the broad lounge by the fireplace sa
Helen and her lover. She had faller
asleep from sheer WEAKNESS and Joe sal
like statue lest he might disturb tn,
fair sleeper whose cheek was so near hi
own.
The old gentleman's face was study
When the truth dawned upon him h,
flung himself into the nearest chair ant
laughed until he walked the echoes-like
wise Miss Helen.
She was at first bewildered by her move
position, but soon remembered the tru,
situation and relapsed into silence, leav
ing Joe to tell the story.
And now, sheriff" concluded he, "yol
may loose these letters with the under
standing that they will soon be replace,
by more enduring ones. must not lie
my prisoner escape"
Helen's father had always liked younl
Gordon, and his blessing was forthcom
ing.
The announcement of the approaching
nuptials gave Mr.. Russell a conclusiv
answer, and he settled up his affairs il
short order and returned east.
The old sheriff used to tell with grea
gusto how Gordon won his pervers
daughter and how gracefully she wor
her letters after she was won.--Atlant
| Constitution.